ABOUT US

This is a picture of Donna and me Pastor Derry.

Donna went to be with Christ on our 65th wedding anniversary, August 25, 2021.   This was not planned.  She died of cancer.  I miss her terribly and think of her every day now that I am a  lonely widower.  but Jesus is with me every day.

Here is a little bit of background concerning us.

15 years ago our children surprised us and gave us a cruise for our 50th wedding anniversary.  It was great.  We went to Mexico, Donna and  I snorkeled in two locations, saw a lot of tropical fish, ate way too much food and really had a great time.  

I  graduated from the Univ. of Illinois, Institute of Aviation with my pilot and mechanic licenses and at the age of 21 gave up a career in aviation and a job with American Airlines as a pilot in order to become a preacher of the gospel of Christ.

A beautiful young lady at Minnesota Bible College where I was training for the ministry caught my eye. I chased her until she caught me.  We were married at the end of our first year at Bible College. 

Best thing that ever happened to me was when she said “I Do”.  Donna has been my faithful companion and extremely competent fellow worker in everything we do and have done.  God must have had her in mind when He Wrote Proverbs 31:10-31, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies….”  

Donna and I served churches in Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois.  

we lost our first child Timothy in child birth.  Cheryl was born in Minneapolis and Kevin in Linton, Indiana.  We then went to Africa.  Our fourth child, Linda was born on our first furlough from Africa and our fifth child Darin was born in Kimberley, South Africa.  We tell everyone he is our “African American” child even though he is white just like his mom and dad.  

We served as missionaries for ten years  in Cape Town, Kimberley, Johannesburg, South Africa and two years at Ghana Christian College in Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Africa gave us a rich experience  learning new cultures and languages, preaching, teaching and training national leaders the church and flying five mission airplanes to preach and teach in remote locations.

All donations to this ministry are tax deductible as Missions For Christ International is a U.S. Government 501 (C)(3) non profit organization.