Derryberry, Ralph

First Baptist Church, Selma
Selma Baptist Association

Favorite Verse: John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
Hobbies: Fishing, golfing
Family Status: Married to Eleanor for 57 years; three sons, David, Michael and Kevin; six grandchil- dren; three great-grandchildren

Ralph Derryberry helped found Selma Christian Ministries, which provides Bible studies for children, young people and adults in a financially depressed area of Selma and Dallas County. Derryberry started teaching Sunday School to different age groups in the 1960s and has led 41 “Experiencing God” groups in many different churches. At 79-years-old, he recently retired from the Selma Christian Ministries board of directors after serving as chairman for a number of years. He is still active with the ministry. He was recently honored as Samford University’s Layperson of the Year.

Q: What led you to help found this ministry?
A: I was leading an “Experiencing God” study, and [Selma Christian Ministries] grew out of that study. We looked for a place to work at the housing area of the old Craig Air Force Base in Selma. We were given a house and started a Bible study for children on Wednesday afternoons.

Q: How has the ministry grown through the years?
A: At one point, we were ministering to 200 people a week. We eventually had (to have) two locations. Each year, we take between 50 and 100 of these kids to Christian camps at no cost to them.

Q: Why have you continued helping this ministry?
A: It’s so worthwhile and I feel that God placed the ministry here. I still feel a great responsibility toward it. I still love all those kids. They mean a lot to me.

Q: What does the ministry demand?
A: Time, devotion to the Lord and the love of children and young people. We try to teach them that Christ loves them and that we love them because of Christ.

Q: What do you get from the ministry?
A: God’s blessings. It’s a blessing to see Christ work in the lives of these young people. I can’t begin to tell you how many children’s lives have been changed and how many have come to know the Lord through that ministry.

Q: How do family members support you?
A: They support me totally. My wife is very involved in every thing I do. My children are all supporting me, and my youngest son comes and puts on free concerts for the kids.