Dear Church Family,
In anticipation of Adam’s transition into church planting, the SMRBC family enlisted a search committee to begin the process of filling the role of Associate Pastor for Students.
After much prayer and an extensive, nationwide search process, our search team unanimously and enthusiastically recommends that the church call Derek Wheeler to be our next Associate Pastor for Students. Derek brings a deep and contagious love for Jesus to this role, along with excellent experience working with students and parents in America and also overseas. For the past two and a half years Derek and his family have served as Missionaries in the Dominican Republic with Freedom International Ministries. Prior to that, he served as Youth Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Maryland for four years.
Derek and Savannah were members of SMRBC from 2014 to 2017. While at Staples Mill they were active student ministry workers who were also dedicated to reaching their neighbors for Christ. Derek is a godly man who loves Jesus, loves students, and is focused on making disciples.
Derek completed his Bachelors in Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in 2020. He was also ordained into the ministry by Cornerstone Baptist Church in 2020.
In order to give the congregation an opportunity to get to know Derek and his family, the SMRBC search committee has planned a Meet-and-Greet Weekend for January 21-22, 2023. A schedule is provided of the events that will be held on Derek’s behalf. We invite each of you to come listen to and speak with Derek and his wife, along with members of the committee. Derek will be preaching during all three of our services on January 22nd. A vote will take place the following Wednesday, January 25th, as part of our monthly business meeting.
We as a search committee want to thank each member of the congregation for praying with us through the process, for continuing to pray as we prepare for the upcoming Meet-and-Greet Weekend, and for making time to come and learn how God has prepared SMRBC and Derek for this role.
Love in Christ,
SMRBC Associate Pastor Search Committee
Steve Smith, Chair
Ben Brinkley, Nick Bonnett, Andy Perkins, Christy Parker, Kristina Craig and Mary Siddons
with Derek Wheeler
Associate Pastor for Students
Saturday, January 21st
Sunday, January 22nd