Derick has been attending Calvary Chapel of Artesia since September of 2017. He is married to his wife Abygail, and they have two young children, David and Daniel.
During his freshman year in college in 1992, Derick was invited to attend a passion play on campus about Jesus Christ who died for our sins; after the play, an invitation was given. He and many other students heard the call of Jesus and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that day.
During the rest of Derick’s college years, his desire for the word of God increased. He started to attend in-depth Bibles studies with other college students and become more involve with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)—an on-campus student-body that ministers to students. Derick’s involvement with IVCF offered him the opportunity to serve the younger classmates through outreaches, Bible studies, fellowshipping, and prayers for the students, faculty, and the campus. During the summer months, he was given the opportunity to go on short term mission trips to another city to learn how to be a servant leader and to support the local church.
There were several years of falling way from the Lord, as Derick was not plugged into a church right away, after college. A few years later, the Lord stirred Derick to search for a home church. He started to attend his friend’s church in Gardena, but the Lord directed him to continue the search for a permanent home church where the Word of God is taught directly from the Bible, chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse. During several searching years, Derick met Abygail, who brought him to Calvary Chapel of Downey, where he received sound doctrines under Pastor Jeff Johnson. Derick and Abygail eventually got married there. They fellowshipped there for over 10 years, and David and Daniel were dedicated at Calvary Chapel Downey.
During these recent years, the Lord stirred Derick and Abygail to look for a fellowship closer to home where they can serve the body and the community. Derick and Abygail started attending Calvary Chapel of Artesia, and they look forward to serving the Lord and the community in whatever form the Lord call them to.
Derick and Abygail's Life Verse is: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Mathew 6:33 (KJV)