Darlene has been a part of the Canyon Springs team since mid 2012 and helps to manage the church office, church scheduling, writes the ebulletin and administratively supports the other staff members.
She joined Canyon Springs Church in spring of 2011. The Shadden’s were active members of the Catholic Church for about 10 years, until their daughter Molly Rae, who at the time was 14, shared that she was looking for a deeper relationship with the Lord and wanted to search for a church that could better support that desire. Molly Rae landed at Canyon Springs and quickly found the support necessary to explore a deeper and more thriving relationship with the Lord. The transition was more difficult for Darlene, as she was a lifetime Catholic who was content with her faith walk. After almost a year of Molly Rae attending Canyon Springs on Sunday mornings and joining Darlene & Bill at St Gregory Sunday nights the Shadden’s knew it was time to commit to a new faith community. The fragmented approach of attending two different churches was not what was on their hearts and they witnessed first hand the work the Lord had done with Molly Rae and her walk since joining Canyon Springs.
As they had with their last church, the Shadden’s recognize the value in serving and not just sitting. After a short period of time they joined the Hospitality Ministry as a way to reach out and help other new members feel welcomed. A brand new experience for them was joining a Small Group; and experienced the blessing of diving into scripture for the first time in their adult lives. Four months after joining Canyon Springs, Darlene and Molly Rae participated in a mission trip to Haiti. If Darlene had any doubt about the direction the Lord wanted her to take — that mission trip to Haiti cleared it up. God commands us to protect and care for orphans and widows. (Ps 82.3)
More About Darlene, From Darlene
I was happily married at the age of 18 to my first love, Bill Shadden. 36 years later, he is still my one and only love! After 13 years of marriage we were blessed with our daughter, Molly Rae. There has not been a day since her birth that Bill and I have not shared a great laugh and warm heartfelt moments about something Molly Rae has said or done. She lights up every situation she is about. Her love for Jesus and her fire to serve him wholeheartedly, encouraged Bill and I to change our life and follow His path without a glance back! Molly Rae graduated from Biola University with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. Was married to the man of her dreams Jake Inman in March of 2017 and is currently living in Oregon attending Western University Seminary pursuing her M Div. Bill and Darlene rack up a lot of Alaska Airline miles visiting Molly Rae & Jake.
Part of following His path gave me the courage eight years ago to step out of the corporate world of banking I had so diligently worked at for 27 years. For as long as I can remember; outside of my commitment to my family, was my commitment to my career. I worked hard and found my reward in a position of Vice President of Retail Banking. The problem was, I had poured so much of myself into my career and was less fulfilled than ever. I now know this was when the Lord first got a hold of me. Walking away from what I believed was the security of a great job, the confidence of being good at what I was doing, and my identity wrapped up in “what I did for a living”, was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. As with all God-inspired decisions, it was also the best decision I have ever made. I instantly found peace, contentment and a sense of a new life! I now spend my time with my family (I am one of six children and the majority of my sisters and brothers live locally within a 10 mile radius and we have about 25 nieces and nephews). I spend time in fellowship with friends, and I head out on mission trips to Haiti (my second home), Uganda, the Dominican, Mexico — basically wherever the Lord sends me. Bill joins me on many of the mission trips.
Stuff & Random Tidbits About Darlene
- Morning or Night Person: Lifetime of being a Night Owl has recently changed to Mornings
- Hometown: San Diego, CA
- Favorite Candy: Bit O Honey
- Favorite Fashion: Tie Dye
- In my free time: Exercise, family, pets, travel, savoring a slower paced life.
