Deryk Hayes is a dedicated servant leader with a passion for community development and justice, combined with a strong commitment to church revitalization. Guided by a divine mandate to lead the church toward reclaiming her identity, he has successfully led St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church out of the Southern Baptist Convention and helped eliminate its debt by selling a larger building in favor of a more manageable, debt free facility. This transition has put the church on a path from struggling under unmanageable maintenance to engaging in meaningful ministry. 

Born and raised in a Christian home, Pastor Hayes is the youngest child of the late Deacon Walter and Mrs. Velma Hayes. He accepted Christ at a young age and has remained active in the local church all of his life. His vocational journey in ministry began in 2003, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. K. Edward Copeland at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford, IL when he said yes to the call of God on his life. 

More importantly, Deryk is a devoted husband to Jeanine and a loving father to Leryk and Journey.