Romans 15:20 – “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.”

Derek was born in Toronto into a non-Christian family from Hong Kong. He asked Jesus into my life at 13 when he received a gospel tract at a local outreach event. He later rose quickly in the IT world working with some of the world’s top firms. However, he slowly grew discontented within. The Holy Spirit awakened a desire in Derek to serve His church and be a witness for Christ. He attended Tyndale University and College and graduated with a Master of Divinity. After 5 years as a pastor, Derek realized the Lord had been preparing him for the mission field.

Derek arrived in Thailand as a single International Worker in August 2019 and started full-time language studies, eager to share the Good News with all he met. What he had not expected was that God had prepared a life partner for him. While in Thailand, Derek was introduced to Zee. Derek and Zee got engaged in August 2021 in the middle of the pandemic and soon after, were joined in marriage in Oct 2021.

Both Derek and Zee are excited to start a family together and serve God’s purposes for their lives in Southern Thailand. They desire to work with local churches and empower Thai Christians to reach out to their neighbors in their communities.