Pastor Derrell Foster
Founder and Lead Pastor, I Rise Church
Ministry and leadership have been deeply ingrained in Pastor Derrell Foster’s family for more than 10 generations. It is inspiring to see the biblical thread of how God used the family to further His plan on earth. Growing up in the church as a PK's kid in the Foster family, witnessing his father and mother pastor and guide their family in God's righteousness left a lasting impression on Derrell over the years.
Accepting Christ
Upon accepting Christ and feeling inspired by the Word of God to impact lives positively, Derrell felt called to lead a more intimate life devoted to Christ. This pivotal decision led him to serve from a young age at Faith Temple within the Christ Holy Sanctified Church Organization, an experience for which he remains deeply grateful. Guided by the Holy Spirit even in his teenage years, his life has been marked by singing in the choir, playing the drums, teaching in Sunday School, and leading God's people.
After completing his education and meeting the love of his life, Bridget Wilson, Derrell married and became a father to three wonderful daughters. Although his life briefly veered away from the church and his faith, reconnecting with God sparked a strong desire to deepen his relationship with God and align his life with His divine plan. This journey led them to New Light Christian Center Church, where their ministry and lives began to flourish. Through God's faithfulness and their hard work, they recently celebrated 39 years of marriage in March 2024.
During this period, Derrell was promoted to Assistant Director over Kings Kids Ministry and later to Assistant Pastor and Benevolence Coordinator in the Membership Service Department. Following a divine message in January 2017 that his time at New Light Church had come to an end, Pastor Foster obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit to embark on his personal ministry. God entrusted him with several mandates: to Rebuild, Restructure, Redefine, Revise, and Release. Subsequently, he joined Relentless Church under Dr. Ransom Mumba as an Assistant Pastor.
Pastor Foster, a graduate of Forest Brook High School, Wyoming Technical Institution, and Hilliard Bible Institute, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and working towards completing his Doctorate in Clinical Counseling. He is a Licensed and Ordained Minister of the Gospel and an enthusiastic, Spirit-filled speaker. His professional background includes roles as Production Manager, Lead Operator, and Facilities Manager at Xerox Corp. Additionally, he actively serves as a board member of The Ephraim Foundation, a community-focused organization under Dr. Paul Denman.
In a pivotal moment, Pastor Derrell and Bridget Foster received a divine calling to establish a church. Thus, I Rise Church was founded. The vision of I Rise Church is to foster a God-centered worship environment that connects individuals with God through Jesus Christ, encouraging them to Hear His voice, Experience His Presence, and Walk in His Glory for Maximum Impact!
Pastor Derrell and Bridget Foster are blessed with three beautiful daughters: Kenitha Wilson, Bridelle Foster, Dewanna Foster, and six lively grandchildren: Kylar Wilson, LaDarrian Foster, Talyn Foster, Saniya Rigsby, Dylan Williams, and Laila Bush, who bring immense joy to their lives.
OUR BELIEFS
WE BELIEVE
2 Timothy 3:16
The Bible is the undeniable Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct and doctrine.
John 14:26, 15:26, 20:21; Ephesians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
...in God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit are one but manifest in the earth at different times to fulfill God’s purpose for mankind.
We Believe
Man was created innocent, but through Adam’s transgression sin came upon all men. Then Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for the sin debt of man through His shed blood; so that all men can be saved by faith in Him.
Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:8-10
Salvation is by grace through faith. Grace may be simply stated as God doing for man what man could not do for himself through Jesus Christ. Faith may be simply stated as man’s positive response to God’s grace.
Acts 2:4,17, 38-39
In the present day outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Believers can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, and the Holy Spirit gives gifts to men for the church to be used in this present day time.
(Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:14-17, 1 Peter 2:24)
Divine healing is the right and privilege of every believer, and it was provided for the church in the atonement of Christ.
Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:35-38
Every believer should be baptized in water following Christ’s example and as a public celebration and demonstration of the new birth in Christ. Baptism is an outward demonstration of what has been completed inwardly.
Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelations 20:11-15, 21:1-8
It is God’s will for all men to come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and receive the finished work of Jesus. We concur with the bible that there is a real heaven made for the children of God and a real hell for those who turn down His plan for their lives. Heaven is the eternal resting place for all believers and hell is reserved for those who reject Christ which separates them from God in eternal torment.
THE HOPE CONNECTION
Helping Others Pursue Expectations through the Word of Faith, A Compassionate Heart, and Genuine Worship
Anticipation
Without hope, there is no expectancy for a better day or a better way out of my perishing predicament. Hope is not possible without expecting it to happen! I can’t verify it with my natural senses, but my spirit knows through my belief system which causes me to move forward in-spite of what I see or can verify naturally.
Realization
Without hope, there is no mindset to imagine what’s true, real or fake. We must come to the realization of the truth of God’s Word, God’s Plan and God’s Purpose. Realization is established by learning the word of God because His word is truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sensation
Without hope, there is no focal point or principal point to feel or sense Gods presence. He dwells in us and desires to fellowship with us. Therefore, I know He is with me because I can sense Him as we fellowship through Prayer, Praise and Worship.