PASTOR’S PAGE

Meet Pastor Derek

Pastor Derek Irvine: Having grown up between northern Maine and Georgia, Pastor Derek is a graduate of Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (Biblical Studies, 2003), Lancaster Bible College (B.S. in Bible, 2006), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div, 2009).  After serving at a church in Clifton Forge, VA for 5 years, he was brought on staff here in 2015 in the role of Associate Pastor, serving mainly in the area of youth ministry until he transitioned into the Senior Pastor position in October of 2024.   Pastor Derek is an avid sports fan and enjoys the outdoors. He continues to serve us here along with his wife, Kathleen, and their beautiful daughter Anna.  Derek’s life verse is:  2Cor. 5:17 (ESV):  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Meet Pastor Bruce: 

Pastor Bruce Burks was raised in Virginia and attended Berkshire Christian College in Lenox, MA, graduating in May of 1975.  It was at Berkshire that he met and fell in love with Andi Jordan, who became his bride, also in May of 1975.  With Andi at his side, Bruce has served in pastoral ministry for just shy of 50 years, first in Savannah, GA, then in Tazewell, VA, and for the last 36 years here in Vernon, VT.  Bruce and Andi have two lovely and loving daughters: Bethany, of Greenville, SC, and Blythe, of Brattleboro, VT.  Bruce’s life verse(s) is I Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”

You can find Pastor Bruce on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/bcburks