Darryl’s great work in leading a congregation mission study called “Envisioning Our Future Together” gave me the tools needed to direct my transitional ministry in the areas to which the study gave general recommendations. The study gave the congregation nine items for recommendation. In the 17 months I have been the Transitional Pastor we have accomplished or are working on eight of the recommendations. Darryl’s concise and very clear recommendations have benefited Second Church greatly. I would highly recommend his services . . . it is well worth it.
Tom Groome, Interim Pastor & Head of Staff
​Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY.


"Faced with how to help transition my congregation to prepare to see a new pastor following my retirement, I called upon Darryl to lead listening groups in what we termed 'Envisioning Our Future Together'. Darryl's excellent group process skills led 20% of our church members in small group reflection as to where the church has been in recent years, where it sees itself at present, and where it would like to go in the next five years. Darryl's clear grasp of church dynamics helped ease our governing board's angst by reminding us that the 20/80 rule still holds - 20% lead 80% of the congregation.  His careful listening during the 18 group sessions discerned clear patterns of congregational self-understanding (and, in some cases, self-misunderstanding) that will be extremely helpful for a future Pastor Nominating Committee in their work to seek a new pastor. Darryl's work with us has given the church a clearer sense of itself and its future possibilities as it moves into this next chapter in its life. Our church board and members are more hopeful as they look into an unknown future.

Rev. Dr. Dan Hans, Head of Staff
Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY 


"Darryl and Ginny are insightful, energetic, and inspiring!  They have a long history of caring for congregations.  Darryl has helped our church through a Session Retreat and pastoral mentoring.  He also helped our presbytery transition to a whole new administrative structure with very few problems.  I couldn't ask for a more skilled friend in ministry nor could I recommend the two of them more highly."

Rev. James McTyre, Pastor
Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN


I give thanks for Darryl's leadership within the bounds of the Presbytery of East Tennessee.  He has served the Presbytery as a gifted interim and helped in it's organizational restructuring by serving on the transitional team.  In a nutshell, Darryl is energetic, organized, challenging, helpful, and wise!

Rev. Judd Shaw, General Presbyter
Presbytery of East Tennessee


"Darryl is gifted and has the ability to connect with people personally in and 
out of the pulpit.  He has an excellent theology of Stewardship.  He led a 
successful church-wide stewardship campaign in our church in which he was available every step of the way - from coordinating with the task force to 
preaching.  I would highly recommend Darryl because of his leadership in the church and his easy-going nature."

Rev. Jonathan Warren, Pastor
Powell Presbyterian Church, Powell, TN


"Darryl, What a phenomenal retreat you led for us!  It was practical, inspiring and engaging.  Having been to many Session retreats, I have experienced a wide
variety in style and content; but I must say that yours was among the best.  
You should lead them more often!  You really are a gifted retreat leader who 
brings a demeanor of kindness and practicality."

Cheryl Child, D.C.E.
Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN

"I have worked with both Ginny and Darryl Baker. As head of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley's Christian Education Committee, Ginny was energetic, creative and a joy to collaborate with. Darryl was interim pastor at Central Presbyterian Church where I served on staff. He comes as close as any pastor I have seen to covering the whole waterfront--preaching, pastoral care, handling personnel issues, envisioning the future. He is organized, compassionate and forward-thinking. He brings a discerning eye, a vibrant faith, and a pastoral touch to the ministry he undertakes."

Rev. Jeff Cover, Associate Pastor
Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, IN


"Darryl led our congregation in our annual stewardship campaign based on the New Consecration Sunday program by Herb Miller.  Darryl demonstrated excellent leadership skills in explaining the program, motivating participants, and keeping everyone on track.  His articulation of the difference between fundraising and Christian stewardship inspired the committee that worked with him and the congregation that heard him preach. There was an %18 increase in pledges for the next year."

Rev. Ann Owens Brunger, former interim pastor
Graystone Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN

“We had our best retreat ever with Ginny!  She crafted an informative and creative workshop specific to our needs during which we enjoyed learning from her and each other.  We still use some of the practices she taught our group!”

Christi Flansburg, Director of Program Ministries
Grace Presbyterian Church, Fort Mill, SC


"Ginny has planned and implemented several "re-creative" intergenerational events at Fountain City Presbyterian Church.  Those have included craft nights, a 'Hoedown', a Street Fair and an ADVENTure night.  Ginny is very easy to work with and full of wonderful ideas that folks of all ages enjoy!"

Lyn Oakley, M.Ed., Director of Christian Education and Mission
Fountain City Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN


"We felt Ginny's availability to our CE Committee was a God-send. She presented our committee with informative workshops on Christian education and during the process, she also helped us prioritize what we needed for our church in terms of programming. We were able to plan and implement several successful new programs as well as make our existing programs stronger. As a direct result of her work with the committee, we started a Wednesday family night program which included adult Bible study and children and youth groups. We also began a women's retreat which has been very successful.  She helped us accomplish these new programs as well as help us set goals for future years. All of this was done during the difficult process of searching for a new minister. We are very grateful for everything she has done for us."

Bobbie Dellinger, Elder
Gilwood Presbyterian Church, Concord, NC


"Ginny led our Shallowford Presbyterian Church Intergenerational Retreat at Black Mountain, North Carolina in 2008.  She is an inspirational, inclusive and delightful leader and everyone learned a lot while having fun.  The theme was Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it".  Ginny coordinated games, crafts, music, Bible study activities and worship planning around the theme and included everyone at every age level.  We would love to have her lead our next retreat."  

Marianne Empie 
Retreat Committee, 
Shallowford Presbyterian Church, Lewisville, North Carolina