Our Pastor

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About our Pastor

Derick M. Wakefield

Freedom

Pastor Derick M. Wakefield is a man of God, anointed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and possesses and demonstrates an authentic love for the people of God. Through his dynamic teachings, Pastor Wakefield strives both to empower believers and lead individuals to Christ. He is a Cum Laude graduate of American Baptist College with a Master of Divinity from Church of God Theological Seminary and has been preaching the gospel for more than 38 years.

Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1998, Pastor Wakefield stepped out on faith to fulfill the vision of Freedom Fellowship Christian Church in Knoxville, TN. As of October 2025, Pastor Wakefield has faithfully served his congregation for 27 years.
 
Pastor Wakefield has been a good shepherd not only to his congregation, but also to the community as well. He has served as a mentor to children in the Knoxville AMACHI program. AMACHI is the compassionate response to the needs of children with incarcerated parents through mentorship. He has served as president of the Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance (KICMA), which is known to unite religious leaders of various denominations, and to partner with faith-based organizations to address the issues of the city. He has proudly served as the first Executive Director of IMPACT (Individuals Ministering and Providing According to Christ’s Teachings). IMPACT is an urban ministry founded on a 3 “R” philosophy:
  1. RELOCATION of families and individuals
  2. REDISTRIBUTION of resources to communities of need
  3. RACIAL RECONCILIATION: The intentional effort of individuals to reconcile with God and then with one another.

A demonstrated leader, Pastor Wakefield oversaw IMPACT’s Health and Dental Care, Fitness Center, Urban 4H, and after school program.

Pastor Wakefield is a proud veteran of the US Air Force. A man of distinction, he was selected as one of the “Outstanding Men in America” and earned the service award for “Meritorious Military Service”.  Pastor Wakefield has received a direct appointment to Lieutenant Colonel as a Chaplain of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

Pastor Wakefield believes being a family man is one of his most significant accomplishments.  He has been married to his wife, Terratta Wakefield, for over 35 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Jeremy and Justin, and proud grandparents of two boys Phoenix and Kingdom, and one girl, Aspen.

Pastor Wakefield has been praised as a servant leader; and as a teacher, one who emphasizes divine sovereignty and human responsibility; and as a preacher one who rightly interprets and explains the text in its context so that its applicability is evident in the lives of the hearers of the message God has given. As the church decree proclaims– “We are changing lives through our worship, our witness, and His word;” so does he.