Derek is the founding and lead pastor of Shift Church. He was born and raised in the South Knoxville an area he loves and wants to serve. His passion is for others to see that God is not in love with a future version of themselves, but loves them where they are.

After marrying his wife Brittany they moved to Bean Station/Rutledge Tennessee where he served as youth pastor for nine years at The Church At Rutledge and seen God move in the life of students like never before. Although God was moving there was a passion in Derek's heart to see a shift in the community he grew up in. With roughly 27,000 people in the South Knoxville area disconnected from Christ he knew he had to go back and serve his community with the love of Christ. 

Derek is married to Brittany McCarter and they have four children whose names are Xane, Lyric, Jax, and Hayden. Derek has a B.S. in Religion and Biblical studies from Liberty University and a Master's of Theology also from Liberty University. If you would like to contact Derek you can email him at derek@shiftchurchknox.org.