An experienced pastor with a passion for developing young faith, Darren Cowdrey serves as the director of camping and the Young People's Ministry with the California/Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In this role, he also oversees the staffing of the Board of Camping and Retreat Ministries as well as the Conference Committee on Young People's Ministry. One fundamental aspect of Darren Cowdrey’s ministry and leadership philosophy is the importance of grace.

Compassion.com defines “grace” in Christianity as a God-given privilege stemming from unconditional love. This definition emphasizes that God does not give grace based on human merit, but rather as a gift, irrespective of whether one's behavior aligns with the teachings of the Holy Bible.

The concept of grace is central to God's character, as the Bible recounts numerous instances of God's grace in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, the Bible describes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as a sacrifice to save humanity from eternal punishment. Several Bible verses, including 1 Peter 5:10, Isaiah 30:18, Numbers 6:24–26, John 1:14, and Joel 2:13, highlight the theme of God's grace.