Darel Bunch was born in Merkel, Texas, 17 miles west of Abilene. His earliest memories as a child were of being at church, as his family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Merkel. He came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a young boy and met his future wife, Cindy, at the same church.
Darel pastored at Bradshaw Baptist Church, located between Abilene and Winters, Texas, before being called to Bennington First Baptist Church to serve as their full-time pastor. After five and a half years in Bennington, he received the call to go to First Baptist Church of Wilson, Oklahoma.
In the first week of January 1999, Calvary Baptist Church in Durant called him to serve as their pastor. Darel served for 25 years at Calvary Baptist Church, delivering his last sermon there on January 7.
On May 25, 2024, Darel came to Armstrong Baptist Church to fill the role of pastor following the passing of our former Pastor Shane Meshaya. He has since moved into the role of Transitional Pastor and is preparing our church for our next pastor.
