Darnae’ Scales, MSW, LCSW

Darnae’ has over 20 years of experience as a therapist and coming alongside congregations.  In those years of experience, he has provided mental health services, domestic and foreign mission outreach, as well as support to senior pastors, their leadership teams, and members of the congregations. He works with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, men’s issues and pastors dealing with burnout and the “paradox of ministry.”

Darnae’ is a former Executive Director of Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Indianapolis (now Family Promise) who organized and partnered with a network of over 30 congregations in the greater Indianapolis community. Through that partnership, he, the senior clergy and volunteers provided care to families with children who were experiencing the crisis of homelessness and helped them gain housing and economic stability.

Darnae’ also served for 17 years in various ministry roles at Eastern Star Church (ESC) in the Indianapolis and Fishers area whose 15,000-member congregation is spread across three campuses. He served as Missions Manager, Pastoral Care Manager and Director of JEWEL Human Services during his tenure. He served congregation members dealing with marital issues, grief and loss, men’s issues, and other life challenges. 

Darnae’ is a Licensed Minister and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Indiana University—Bloomington and went on to complete a Graduate Certificate program in Health Administration and Policy while earning his Master’s degree in Social Service Administration at The University of Chicago.  He is a longstanding member of the North American Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW).

Darnae’s favorite scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  He also enjoys reading, running, serving on missions teams, and traveling to new destinations.