The spirit of the Lord is upon me because He hath anointed to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, set at liberty them that are bruised; and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Pastor Derek D. Kelly is a native of Salisbury, NC and currently resides in Lexington, NC. He was born in July of 1969 to the Reverend & Mrs. Parnell Kelly, Jr. He is the firstborn of three children. Although known for his musical gifting, God has uniquely called him into the ministry of the gospel.

Pastor Kelly answered the call to ministry in December of 1991. After serving faithfully at his home church, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Linwood, NC, the Lord called him to preach his word under the leadership of the Reverend Moses Caldwell. In April of 1994 he was installed as the pastor of New Faith Baptist Church of Lexington, NC.

The Lord blessed the ministry of Pastor Kelly as the church began to grow.

Under the direction of the Holy Spirit New Faith connected to the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in 1998 where Bishop Paul S. Morton was the presiding Bishop, and the name of the church was changed to New Faith Full Gospel Church. Pastor Kelly served the Fellowship as the District & State Director of Christian Education. He has traveled extensively teaching and preaching the word of God. He is sought nationally as a revivalist and lecturer ministering to the needs of God's people.

As a leader in the community Pastor Kelly sits on the Board of Directors for several organizations. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Focus On Leadership Committee, Vice Chairman of the Davidson County Partnership For Children; and Past President of the Lexington Community Ministers Conference. Pastor Kelly has also been nominated as one of America's Who's Who in Religion by the Heritage Biographical Publications. In his pursuit of excellence, Pastor Kelly has received an Associates Degree in Biblical Studies and in pursuit of a Bachelors of Arts Degree in the same.

In December of 2005, His Eminence Bishop Nathan J. Anderson and W.A.R. FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES, INC. of Charlotte, NC, appointed Pastor Kelly as Bishop Designate. He will be formally consecrated in September of 2006. He will serve as an assistant to the Presiding Prelate.

Pastor Kelly is married to Kimerely Carpenter Kelly who serves with him in ministry. She is the Director of the women's ministry (Women of Faith). They share three children: Marcus, Derius, and Charity. So, while many are called, few are chosen and Pastor Kelly is one of God's chosen vessels in this hour.