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PTS Alum Carries Olympic Flame through Princeton

The Reverend Darrell Armstrong, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, New Jersey, was chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee as one of 11,500 people to have the honor of carrying the three-pound Olympic torch as it made its way on a two-month journey to the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On Sunday, December 23 at 8:45 a.m., Armstrong began his leg of the relay in front of Drumthwacket, the governor’s mansion in Princeton. He ran two-tenths of a mile down Route 206 to pass the flame to Mark Pollard of Princeton, the next torchbearer.

“I feel exhilarated, exuberant, humbled, and honored,” said Armstrong. “This is a real gift from God, a special blessing. I am so thankful to have been selected for this honor, especially at a time in the world like this.”

A friend from Stanford University, who finds Armstrong inspirational, submitted an essay to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee on why he should be chosen to participate in the torch relay. Armstrong, who was flattered by her gesture, was stunned when he received an email in August saying he had been selected.

Having survived a difficult and troubled childhood, Armstrong dedicated his run to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in the United States. A native Californian, he has a B.A. in public policy from Stanford University and an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary (Class of 1999). He has been the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church for the past three years.