Darius Mariano, also known as “PD”, is an Assistant Pastor here at Reliance Church. He was born in the Philippines but raised in Southern California for most of his life. He and his wife, Emily, met in college have been married since 2000 and have two boys, Nathan and Noah and a devoted husky named Misty. Together they were instrumental in helping plant Reliance Church in May 2007.
Pastor Darius has served faithfully in many different roles throughout the years, including AWANA commander, Jr. High pastor, VBS director and has led and served on several International Missions trips. Currently, PD serves as both the Children’s Ministry Pastor and Men’s Ministry Director.
His anchor verse is Proverbs 3:5-6.
“My desire is to love others in a way that will draw them to the heart of the Father, however, I know that my love has to be more than just words and require action, just as Christ showed us. So, I also often remind myself of the exhortation found in I John 3:18; ‘let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.’”
Get to know Pastor Darius!
What is your role at Reliance Church?
Assistant Pastor. Department Head of Children’s Ministry and Men’s Ministry
Describe your job in five words?
In Christ and for Christ
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An engineer. Oh, and taller!
Coffee, Tea, or Soda?
Soda
Go-to worship song?
Right now? Ancient Gates. All-time: Draw Me Close to You
Who has had the most influence in your spiritual life?
My wife and my sons. Oh, and Pastor Jim Diaz!
Food you can’t live without?
That is correct and a statement of fact!
Which Bible character would you most likely to be best friends with?
Peter
Favorite Quote of all time?
“The Christian life can be explained only in the terms of Jesus, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you – your personality, your will power, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or anything – then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it!…True godliness leaves the world convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only explanation for you, is Jesus.” — Ian Thomas
What is your hope for Reliance Church?
My desire is for us to love others in a way that will draw them to the heart of the Father, but that love has to be more than just words and require action, just as Christ as showed us. — 1 John 3:18 (“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”)