Derek earned his BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Biola University (2011) and his MA in New Testament, Preaching Emphasis from Johnson University (2019). In addition to his role at Hillside, Derek also teaches as an adjunct professor of Biblical Studies at Bethany Global University. Before coming to Hillside, Derek served as the Dean of Men at BGU, and as an elder at Bethany Church. He and his wife Molly have one daughter, Sonnet. Derek plays drums and guitar, and enjoys soccer, basketball, ping pong, and riddles.