About the Planters…

 Find out more about Derek & Connie here on FB!!!

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Derek has received his Masters of Divinity with Pastoral Counseling emphasis from Columbia International University.

Derek is also holds National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC) certification, International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC),  Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) memberships and Level 1 Personal Peacemaking.

Derek has extensive experience in biblical counseling in private practice as well as in the setting of the local church. Derek & Connie are currently involved in a church plant.

Married for eleven years, Derek and his wife Connie have been actively involved in discipleship in the local church. They live each day acknowledging that it is a precious gift, and that each and every kindness they receive is better than they deserve and they strive to truly live a cross-centered life. They are passionate about the lost, frustrated, down trodden, and those hungry to grow IN CHRIST. Relationships are a joy to them and they are truly blessed to participate in the lives of so many gifts of people. They can be heard frequently asking, “How can I serve you?”

Connie’s hobbies include:  writing a blog, reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with her grandchildren

Derek’s hobbies include:  writing, information technology, reading and fishing

Derek’s Testimony:  Part 1.  Age 14, I was a foster-kid, involved in crime, drugs, and alcohol.  Later in my 18-26 years, I joined the military, had homosexual lifestyle, more drugs violence and alcohol.  I was an angry and depressed person, selfish and prone to violence.  My life evolved around martial arts, the gym, alcohol, women, and drugs.  I looked for security, happiness, and peace of mind in psychology, existentialism, humanism, new age, occult, Satanism, experientialism, self-centeredness and the next thrill.  I was prone to suicide and my relationships were filled with drama and unhealthiness.  I was married for 11 months and divorced in 1996 with one daughter (before receiving Jesus Christ).  My spouse committed adultery and was also an unbeliever at the time.  I was spiraling down fast.  I was an non-believer.

Part 2.  I met Connie, my gift and kindness from God during 1995-96 and decided to move to South Carolina and start over with a new women and hopefully a new life.  July 1997, on the verge of committing suicide, I pulled off to the side of the road and thru tears, lifted up a desperate prayer attempt to obtain a release from my pain.  I confessed my past life (see part 1) and although I did not have an “experience,” I distinctly remember sensing that I had been forgiven and always forgiven for my past, present and future sins.  I began to sense God drawing me to Himself through these crisis events in 1997 and finally in 2001 I received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  I was struck with a sense of my total depravity and with the grace and mercy of God, the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, and became indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 

Part 3.  My life since receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has been one of joy and peace. I have a renewed vigor to participate in His plan in other people’s lives and after a near fatal car accident in 2001, I sold my technology businesses and started seminary January 2002. I live each day acknowledging that it is a precious gift, and that each and every kindness I receive is better than I deserve and I strive to truly live a cross-centered life. I am passionate about the lost, frustrated, down trodden, and those hungry to grow IN CHRIST. Relationships are a joy to me and I am truly blessed to participate in the lives of so many gifts of people.  I like to date my wife, fish, go camping, mess with technology, and need to get back to learning how to play the acoustic guitar.