Our Pastor
Derrick LaMart Miles was born July 24, 1968, to the union of John Modest and Jeanette Richard Miles in Detroit, Michigan, as the youngest of three children (Gerald Lorenzo and Janet Lorraine). Derrick Miles was reared in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a preacher’s kid, who loved to sneak into the pulpit behind his daddy and follow him around to various churches.
After accepting the call, Rev. Miles enrolled at the Arkansas Baptist College where he majored in Secondary Education-Social Studies. During his matriculation at Arkansas Baptist College, Rev. Miles pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was vice president of the Student Body. In May 1991, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
With a thirst for more Biblical truths, Rev. Miles moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he enrolled at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After averaging 44 credit hours in two years, Rev. Miles graduated Cum Laude in 1993, with a Master of Divinity Degree. After graduating from Seminary, Rev. Miles continued as the Youth Pastor of the Morning Star Baptist Church and began his tenure as a certified teacher in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. In January 1996, Rev. Miles was called to Pastor the True Victory Baptist Church of Kansas City, Kansas. Pastor Miles resigned his post as a Resource Teacher and Pastor of True Victory in August of 1998.
Pastor Miles accepted the call to come to Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in July, 1998. Under Pastor Miles administration, Greater Friendship has experienced awesome spiritual, physical, and financial growth. Greater Friendship is busy building the church inside and out.
Rev. Miles enrolled in a doctoral program in June of 1999 and in May 2002, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary conferred upon Rev. Derrick Miles the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Black Church Administration. Dr. Miles dissertation was entitled, “Establishing Mentoring Relationships Between The Older And Younger Male Population At The Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.” Because of Dr. Miles desire to stay on the cutting edge of Prophetic Preaching methods, he studied abroad at the prestigious Regents Park College, Oxford University, Oxford, England in 2009. “The Ship” is proud of her pastor, Dr. Derrick L. Miles and all of his accomplishments.
The successes of Greater Friendship and Pastor Miles are too numerous to pen. Many ministries have been developed for the purpose of developing the whole person. Pastor Miles leadership has led the church to begin a campaign to reach the community through faith-based initiatives. Pastor Miles serves as the Board Chairman to The Greater Friendship Community Development Corporation (F.A.C.E.S) On May 20, 2006, Greater Friendship Baptist Church became a debt free facility. After retiring the debt, Pastor Miles led the church into another extensive remodeling program that included making our Family Life Center more 21st Century accommodating. This project was our seventh successful extensive project under Pastor Miles leadership.
Because of the multiplicity of gifts that Dr. Miles possess’, he was asked to serve as the Interim Pastor of the St. John Baptist Church from 2009-2011. Under Pastor Miles leadership, both congregations continued to flourish. In December 2011, when Pastor Miles left St. John Baptist Church, the church was in her finest condition. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, St. John was ready to receive her next pastor.
Dr. Miles has a passion for Theological Education. He wrote the complete Student Service Guide for Christian Education for Simmons College of Kentucky. He was instrumental in helping this school become fully accredited. He served as a professor there teaching various classes on spiritual formations, spiritual gifts and the work of the Spirit. Pastor Miles also serves as an adjunct professor to Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and has led many doctoral study groups for those seeking Higher Education.
Frequently asked to serve as an instructor and guest speaker for various community wide events, lectures, seminars, workshops, and revivals all over the country, Dr. Miles is committed to enlist the sinner, equip the saints and encourage the secluded. Pastor Miles holds various offices nationally and locally and has been blessed to preach on three different continents. Dr. Miles currently serves as the Coordinator in the Minister’s Division for the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education.
Dr. Miles’ ability to make the word of God plain to all people is a gift that God has given him and that he continues to give to the people of God.
One thing is evident, Pastor Miles has a shepherd’s heart and he loves to work with people. His commitment is: “To be the best servant possible for my Master and His people.”