About

Derek Vreeland is the Discipleship Pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. A passion for biblical truth and the local church drives his thoughtful, humorous, and authentic teaching style. In addition to teaching and leading discipleship ministries at Word of Life Church, Derek enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Jenni live in St. Joseph with their three boys Wesley, Taylor, and Dylan.

He is a graduate of Missouri Western State University (B.A. English/Writing), Oral Roberts University (M.Div.), and Asbury Theological Seminary (D.Min). His first book, Shape Shifters, combines his love for the doctrine of the Trinity and spiritual transformation and his second book, Primal Credo, offers a fresh reading of the Apostles’ Creed for modern followers of Jesus.

Derek was born in Mobile, Alabama and grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was baptized in January 1986. In April 1990, he began to take his baptismal identity seriously and pursue Jesus with a new found intensity. Sensing a call to ministry, he threw himself into the life of the church and Bible study. His passion for biblical truth and the local church continued through high school and into college. After a year of marriage, he began seminary at Oral Roberts University, graduating in 1999.

In September 1999, Derek moved his family to Americus, Georgia where he served as the Youth Pastor at Cornerstone Church until 2004, when he became the Pastor. He completed a doctor of ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2007. He continued to serve Cornerstone Church until June 2011, when he joined the leadership team at Word of Life Church. He desires to continue to love his wife, guide his three boys into manhood, and serve the Church by writing, teaching, and speaking wherever God opens a door.