Derek Parks serves FCA as the Executive Vice President for League Sports. Derek graduated from Carson-Newman University with a degree in Leisure Services. While playing football in college, Derek surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. This surrender came through the steady and loving witness from his head coach, the late Ken Sparks. “Coach Sparks used the sport of football to share Jesus with his players,” Derek recalls. “I’m eternally grateful for the way he allowed his life to be used in this way.”
It was after Derek’s surrender to the Lord that he felt the calling on his life to use sports to share Jesus with other athletes, just as he experienced. Shortly after graduating college, he began working at Upward Sports where he spent 19-years developing league sports programs that assisted churches in sharing Jesus through running local leagues in their community.
Growing up in Miami, Florida, Derek participated in FCA Athlete Huddles through his time at Miami Palmetto High School. “FCA laid a foundation in my life that the Lord would later use to change my life forever. I’m grateful for the ministry of FCA!”
Derek met his wife Ginger at an FCA Retreat in college and were married in 1998. They have a daughter, Kendall (2003) and twin boys, Kyle and Kade (2005).
Derek Statement on Current Role:
“For the past 24 years, my personal ministry journey has centered around league sports. I believe it’s the greatest way to disciple coaches and young athletes. Serving our FCA Staff as the EVP of League Sports is such an honor. I’m excited about what the Lord is doing in this space in FCA and looking forward to assisting in every way I can!”