How many of us knew what we wanted to be when we grew up? I would venture a guess as less than 25% of the population really knows after their basic K through 12 education comes to a close what their goal in life really is. And that guess was true for Pastor Vince Derr at New Life Church in Wanamingo. His story is like many of ours who thought we knew exactly what we wanted to be, and then found out maybe that wasn't the right path after all.
Pastor Vince never had a clue as to where his college education would take him. He thought he would major in Mathematics, and become a math teacher. No doubt in his mind, as they say. He came from a good family in Iowa, so he chose a college close to home and commenced on his chosen path. He was a good student with a 4.0 GPA, and had no doubt he would accomplish his goal.
Pastor Vince had roommates at college who were Christians, and although he didn't have a background going to church, but he became curious. The guys never judged him, but instead invited him to go places with them. One day nearing Christmas they invited him to a white elephant Christmas party. Even though he didn't have time to get a present to exchange, he decided to go. He came home later that night with a gift he had gotten at the party. This got him to examine his idea of religion. He had always been of the thought that you had to earn the love you received, and yet he came with nothing and left with something. How could this be? He realized then that a person he did not know gave up his gift, just so he would receive one, and that amazed him. (Sound like a familiar scenario?)
He was now eager to know more about this religious stuff, so he began going to a Bible Study. One Friday night there was a concert going on featuring Christian Music, and again his friends encouraged and kept asking him to join them. He said no up until the last minute, and decided to join them anyway. The words to the songs were projected onto a screen, and Vince was amazed at how the words on the screen hit him. They said we don't have to earn God's love, because we already have it. That was something that stuck with him, and he began building his life on a whole different platform. He spent his time listening to the music, and reading the Bible, learning things he had never been told. He prayed, and asked for guidance. He was in turmoil because his life was going in a totally different direction, and for the first time in his life, he didn't know what he was going to do. But over the course of this uncertainty, he was shown by "chance" the answers to his questions, and decided at last to change his major to Religion. This is a decision he has never regretted!
Over the next few years, many changes occurred. He took a course in Introduction to the New Testament at Central College in Pella, Iowa with his parent's blessing. He felt the call to become a minister, and so he read a pre-ministerial book called The Call. In 2014 he began seminary leaving after 2 years to serve as a Youth Pastor. After finishing seminary online he graduated in 2022 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained in 2023. During his time as a youth pastor he met and married his wife Victoria in 2019. Following their marriage Covid hit, and they got a dog, and a chance to spend a lot of time being quarantined together, which he considers all of it a blessing. In 2023 they welcomed a son. In early spring of this year he heard New Life Church was interviewing for a permanent Minister, and applied for the position. He was hired in June and moved to Wanamingo in July of this year. The Derrs recently bought a home and are very excited to be in a small town atmosphere where he can live the life he feels God has called him to, being of service to others.
I asked him why the church is named New Life Church instead of just calling it a Baptist Church. The term New Life embraces that no matter who you are, what you have done in the past, and how far you are from your goals, there is always hope that things will be better. In other words, we all deserve a second chance, a New Life, and this church is dedicated to helping anyone who desires this, achieve it.
The New Life Church building was purchased in Wanamingo in 2003. They were sponsored by the First Baptist Church in West Concord in 1999, and met in a school each Sunday. They had been setting up and tearing down everything from the nursery to the sound equipment each week. The permanent location was a blessing in so many ways.There have been several ministers working in different aspects of the church. Some who were here to hold space for the next permanent minister, and some who were here to teach other aspects in the direction they want to go. Pastor Vince feels that this is the right place for him to be of service, and teach what Jesus taught us, which, simply put, is the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The New Life Church is located at 525 Beverly Street in Wanamingo, and is open to all. You do not have to be a member to attend, and you can partake in any of the services they offer. Pastor Vince wants everyone to know that they are a service driven church, and want to be able to help people, no matter what their needs are, or what their beliefs are. They sponsor missionaries financially, and give to the pilots who take the missionaries to their designated callings. They offer a food distribution for those who need help with the groceries. If you want a place to worship, they are here for you. No pressure to become a member, just a welcoming place for you to show up and meet new people who truly care, and do not judge. Pastor Vince wants to get to know our community and what its needs are. There are approximately 60 members of the church,and the average attendance is 100 people each Sunday. If you are curious, just come to a service and see if it is something that moves you. Sunday morning begins with a prayer time at 8:20am, Growth Hour (Sunday School) for all ages at 9:00am and worship service at 10:00am. Come and join in wherever it fits for you.
There is a New Life Kids midweek kick off September 17th at 6pm. Families are invited for an evening of food and fun. The youth held a play at Christmas last year and the whole town was invited. It was a success, and they will be doing another play over the holidays, so be watching as the time gets closer for dates and times. Some of the ministerial options Pastor Vince wants to incorporate are small groups and growth hour classes. He spoke of a Discovery Class. This class will teach what their beliefs are and what their faith is based on, so people can explore what this means to them. A few of the quotes in their mission to serve are "To love God and one another in truth and grace", and "New Life Church seeks to worship God while building up believers to serve others as we can share Christ". If this speaks to you in any way, just show up and check it out!
If you need more information, please contact the church, at (507) 824-3019 or office@nlcwanamingo.org. This could just be the blessing you have been searching for!
