Derin Dopps is a minister, preacher, teacher, storyteller, writer and lifelong student of Scripture. Most importantly, he is Christ follower. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Derin has lived throughout the Midwest, spending time in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and now Florida. His life and ministry have been shaped by a wide range of experiences in healthcare, education, filmmaking, music, worship leadership, apologetics, youth ministry, and family ministry, and short term missions work in Fort Defiance, Arizona, Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Belize, and England.

For more than 30 years, Derin has preached and taught in churches, youth groups, camps, retreats, classrooms, and ministry events. His ministry experience includes preaching, youth and family ministry, worship leadership, discipleship, evangelism, curriculum development, apologetics, missions, young adults, marriage ministry, and the creation of immersive biblical teaching experiences.

Derin is known for a preaching style that combines biblical depth, historical context, humor, storytelling, and practical application with a strong, practical call to action. He believes the Bible should never be presented as a collection of distant or dusty religious stories, but as one sweeping, living story that ultimately leads each person to Jesus. His desire is not simply to give people more information about God, but to help them encounter Christ and respond to Him with their whole lives.

Derin has been married to his wife, Amanda, since 1998. They have three children: Lucas, Jason, and Jessica. After his relationship with God, his family is the most important part of his life. They have shared countless adventures, ministry experiences, moments of laughter, and more than a few appearances in his sermon illustrations. Oh, and they love beaches, theme parks, and food.

Derin is deeply grateful for the opportunity to worship, study Scripture, and share life together with the Church. He believes that no gathering of God’s people is accidental and that every time the Church opens the Word, God invites His people to see Him more clearly and follow Him more faithfully.

His message is simple: The gospel is the only hope for mankind. Jesus is still changing lives. Grace is still greater than our failures. The tomb is still empty. And the invitation to follow Christ is one that all believers extend.