Join the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through praise and worship featuring the Reverend Derrick Parson and the Eastern Mennonite University Gospel Choir.
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Reverend Derrick Parson is presently the Pastor of Providence United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He is a full Elder in the United Methodist Church. He also serves as Director of Ministries with Young People for the United Methodist Virginia Conference.
Reverend Parson earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, New Jersey, a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond Virginia.
Prior to becoming Senior Pastor of Providence United Methodist Church, Reverend Parson served Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church as an Associate Pastor with outreach responsibilities for 7 years, served as the Director for the Wesley Foundation at James Madison University for 5 years, served as the Associate Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg for 2 years and most recently served as the Pastor of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church in Chesterfield for 5 years.
When Reverend Parson was six years old one of the senior women of the church shared with him and his mother that he had the mark of a preacher. This was his Outer Call on his life. He joined the United States Marine Corps at age twenty one and that part of his journey was tough, instructional yet it gave him a wonderful time to hone his leadership and people skills. He served 2ndBattalion 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Two years later, he had the privilege of serving Embassy duty — American Embassy, Bonn Germany for 18 months and Bamako Mali, West Africa for 18 months. Shortly thereafter, his unit geared up for the war. His unit (2nd Battalion 6th Marines) went in for the after math of the Gulf War. Iraq of all places is where he received the Inner Call. This is where God spoke to him and he heard for himself. God told him that he would not re-enlist. However, he would preach and teach His Word and draw His people to Him. He said, yes Lord!
Reverend Parson is married to Natalia Bradshaw (Bahama Momma) and after seven years of marriage, God blessed them with a beautiful boy, Joshua Evan Chandler Parson. He is indeed an answer to his seven year prayer. Joshua turned eleven years old on August 27, 2015. During those wonderful years of being newly married and a brand new dad, he went through the complete process of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Virginia Conference. This has been one of the greatest decisions He has made and only looks back fondly on his process in the United Methodist Church and embraces it as a good and necessary part of his journey!