About the Pastor/Teacher

   Derek grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, graduated from the Eisenhower school system, then went off to Oklahoma Baptist University before working as a missionary in Liberia, West Africa, as a school teacher of Bible classes. Derek’s father was a "telephone man" who climbed poles as a lineman. Derek’s mother worked with "numbers" as a budget analyst at the Artillary Board at the Fort Sill Army Base.Derek was close to his grandfather and grandmother who lived south of the Bethel area between Lawton and Duncan. His grandfather was a poor farmer who helped Derek and his 2 brothers learn to appreciate a "simple life" out on the farm.  "Weekends and summers were full of grandad’s farm. Grandad was a farmer that farmed and ‘did cattle’ during his life. He wasn't a "rancher" like Cecy's grandfather.  He was a laid back man who wore overalls and roper boots with his John Deer hat. He taught me how to shoot a gun, fish for crawdads, and count cattle while tossing hay on his 160 acres."  Derek’s grandfather probably could be credited as teaching him his "laid back ways."  This is seen in Derek’s ways at SW Cowboy Church. Derek just preach-teaches. No pounding a podium or crying constantly for money in the offering plate.  Just a "Come As You Are" attitude.  A simple attitude of wanting to know more about Jesus Christ and develop a relationship with Jesus.

Derek met Cecy while in Fort Worth, Texas, visiting his brother. History shows they got engaged on New Years Eve while watching the fireworks, and married on May 2^nd, 1998. They live now on 80 acres of rock, Mesquite, and Post Oak trees, that overlook the Wichita Mountains making a real good goat farm little by little. Deer, elk, turkey, bobcat, and mountain lion roam across the land which are just "critters" to play with for Cecy, who is referred to by Derek as "Ellie-Mae" because "she is such an animal lover."  "Cecy is a Texacan," Derek says, "and I stole her from that other country south of the border . . . you know . . . across the Red River in Texas."  Derek is a step-father of Cecy’s two children, and a grandfather of five grandchildren.  They know him as "Pa-Pa Derek."

Derek was asked once what a "cowboy church" is, and here’s his answer:

A "cowboy church" is a group of folk who have a respect for farm and ranch and country lifestyle, who want to gather together to study God’s Word, sing about Him, and "get together" for activities that help bring others to a partnership (personal relationship) with Jesus Christ. "SW Cowboy Church is just a little bit different in that Cecy and I began this church as an opportunity for 'shared ministry.' Everyone that has received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord has the opportunity to be involved in 'sharing' their talent, gift, or ability in the ministry of the church. It’s kind of like having a 'Barn Raising.' Everyone helps build the barn together. Everyone puts into SW Cowboy Church whether through reading scripture, sharing a cowboy poem, singing a song, standing side-by-side in prayer with someone during prayer time, or sharing what the scripture means to them during our study. It’s a gathering of farmers and ranchers, cowboys and country folk, people who are into horses, cattle, or other livestock, people that are less traditional and less formal. No suits, no ties. Cecy and I just focus people simply upon a relationship with Jesus Christ, instead of programs or how a person looks, or how cool the air conditioner blows cold air. It’s just about people in boots, jeans, and hats studying God’s Word and enjoying life! A real relaxed place to hang your hat!"

"I believe all born-again believers are called to ministry. If that means on top of a saddle, counting cattle in a beat-up pickup, or riding a tractor while plowing a field, or having coffee at the local café, every believer has been given a gift of salvation and can enter into his or her "shared ministry" at SW Cowboy Church, to help people see their opportunity to minister to everyone where they are and share Jesus Christ to help "doctor the calf" out in the field."

"Come As You Are" and visit SW Cowboy Church. Lots of opportunity to minister at SW Cowboy Church!

This is a little bit of Derek’s schooling and credentials that has prepared him for ministry (And the only reason he put this here is from people asking him to.  Derek says the best education and experience is "knowing how to fish."):

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, Oklahoma), 1985. Then after 2 years in Africa as a missionary, he obtained his Master of Behavioral Sciences at Cameron University (Lawton, Oklahoma), 1990. Then moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and obtained his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and also doubled in a Master of Arts in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, Texas), 1992.

Derek is a professional counselor by trade. He has obtained his licenses in counseling as a Licensed Professional Counselor (State of Oklahoma), as a Licensed Behavioral Practioner (State of Oklahoma), and also became a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (State of Louisiana). He also supervises licensees.

Derek is the Pastor/Licensed Minister at S.W. Cowboy Church which meets at the Jackson County Expo Center on 300 Todd Lane in Altus, Oklahoma. Before this he was an Elder at the Cowboy Church at the Pool Horse Arena off of Highway 58, North of Lake Lawtonka, North of Lawton, Oklahoma, and had the privilege to be involved with Pastor Paul Lutz and his wife Donna and their family. While in Seminary, Derek was a Youth Minister (Interim) at First Baptist Church of Sanger, Texas (Summer 1992). Before that a Youth Minister at Northside Baptist Church of Lawton, Oklahoma (1989-1990). Then before that a Missionary Teacher in Liberia, West Africa for the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board in Richmond, Virginia (1986-1988). Prior to Africa, Derek was a Youth Minister at Mission Village Baptist Church of Lawton, Oklahoma (1985-1986).

Derek presently works as a Clinical Therapist at JCMH Clinical Counseling Center of Altus, Oklahoma, working with children and adults, parents and families, that need help with their issues. Prior to this, he was the Clinical Director & Counselor at Marie Detty Youth & Family Services of Lawton, Oklahoma (2003-2004). Before this, he was a Counselor in Private Practice called Kirby & Associates Counseling Services (Lawton) and Southwest Christian Counseling (Altus). Before starting his practice in 1995, Derek was a Counselor at Pecan Valley MHMR Services of Weatherford, Texas (1993-1995). And a Counselor at Alpha Counseling Clinic of Azle, Texas (1992-1993). And a Senior Caseworker at the Tarrant County MHMR Services of Ft. Worth, Texas (1992-1993). An Adolescent Residential Worker at the Lena Pope Home of Roanoke, Texas, (a boys ranch), 1990. A Counselor's Assistant (Volunteer) at the Comanche County Guidance Center of Lawton, Oklahoma (1990).

TEACHING RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Derek also teaches as a Professor/Instructor (Adjunct) in the Psychology and Human Ecology Department at Cameron University of Lawton, Oklahoma, since 1995 to the Present.