SMRBC welcomes Derek Wheeler as Associate Pastor for Students

SMRBC welcomes Derek Wheeler as Associate Pastor for Students

On Wednesday, January 25th, SMRBC members voted unanimously to call Derek Wheeler as our next Associate Pastor for Students. Derek and his family have recently returned to the Glen Allen area, and he is planning to begin his ministry here on Wednesday, February 1st. SMRBC is grateful of God's timely provision, as well as for the work and ministry of Nick Bonnett as our interim student pastor, numerous student volunteers, and the search team.

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.

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, shares our heart for missions, 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.