St. John Baptist Church
    5445 Greenwood Drive, Corpus Christi, TX.78417
    Church Office: 361-9351 Fax: 361-855-993

Pastor Derrick E. Reaves, M.Div

Senior Pastor

Derrick Earl Reaves Sr. was born in Chicago, Illinois the second of three children.  He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on December 16, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois.

He currently serves as Senior Pastor of the St. John Baptist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.  Pastor Reaves began leading this ministry in the summer of 1998.  In this capacity he constantly labors in the Word of God to prepare the body of Christ for the work of the Church, which he believes is calling individuals from spiritual death into everlasting life.  He is under the conviction that if we as a Church are not fulfilling the great commission found in Matthew 28:18ff; we have failed in doing the work of the Church.  Pastor Reaves preaches with authority and power because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He thoroughly believes the Word of God. This is exemplified in his message and delivery.   God has placed a burden in his heart for souls.  He has a yearning desire to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help build up the Kingdom of God.  His life and resources are dedicated to accomplishing and helping others accomplish the work of the Church at all cost.

He was educated at Christian Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois.  In 1989 he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Psychology from Park College.   In 1993 he earned the Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from Austin Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas.  Presently Pastor Reaves is in the project writing phase of the Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min) program at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.

Pastor Reaves ministry has expanded to numerous cultures and communities.   He serves on the faculty of Howard Payne University School of Christian Studies as Professor of Homiletics.  He served as an instructor for the University of Maryland, Asian Division teaching philosophy “Contemporary Moral Issues.”   He has served congregations in Illinois, Texas, New Mexico and The Republic of South Korea.  He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve Chaplaincy with the rank of Major in October 2005.

Pastor Reaves serves the community as a member of the Corpus Christi Mayor’s Advisory Committee, a Commissioner on the Human Relations Commission and as the Recording Secretary of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of the Coastal Bend.  He has served as past president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of the Coastal Bend, a Board Member of the National Council for Community Justice (NCCJ). He served a two year term as Moderator of the Corpus Christi Baptist Association, Board Member of the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers, and as a Commissioner to the Ethics Commission of the City Council of Corpus Christi, Texas.

He is married to Mrs. Denise Reaves and they have two children D.J. and Danny.