Darin Larry Wood

Born on December 23, 1973, in Salem, Oregon, to Jimmy & Lauriena Wood. Darin passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 8, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Wood, his three children, Ashleigh, Myles, and Dru; his parents, Jimmy and Lauriena Wood; siblings, Terrill Wood and Stacy Allen.

Darin “The Mic” Wood was a man who carried the presence of God like a banner! As a praise and worship leader, he was an atmosphere-changer with a Disney-smooth voice that could lift you right into heaven’s gates.

Darin gave his all — not halfway, not “good enough,” but excellence every single time. As Outreach Director, as Youth Camp Director, as a man on a mission, he didn’t waste time with excuses. He didn’t sugarcoat. He didn’t pamper feelings. Because to Darin, God’s business was serious business, and nothing mattered more than making sure the work got done — and done right.

He loved his family fiercely — his wife Jeanette, his children Ashleigh, Myles, and Dru. His parents Jimmy & Lauriena Wood, siblings, Terrill Wood, Stacy & Chad Allen. His in-laws, Bishop Adolph & Dr. Bessie Ludd, David & Adriana Lee, Junior & Lawana Ludd, and a quilt full of nieces and nephews. And he loved his New Direction Church family with the same kind of commitment, ready to serve, ready to lift, ready to lead.

Darin believed in the “power of awesomeness” — not as a cute phrase, but as a lifestyle. He knew that when God is in it, there’s nothing ordinary. Everything becomes extraordinary. And Darin lived in that truth every day.

We will miss his beautiful, long flowing hair, booming laugh, his bold leadership, his unapologetic honesty. We will miss the way he made worship feel like standing on holy ground. But Darin would not want us to linger in sorrow. He’d want us to keep the music going, keep the ministry moving, keep the awesomeness alive.

We don’t just mourn — we honor. We carry forward his voice in our songs, his drive in our work, and his faith in our hearts. Darin “The Mic” Wood — you finished your race with excellence. We’ll take it from here.