Derrick Bess
FCA Northwest Houston- Area Rep.
email: dbess@fca.org 
Derrick was born and raised in Suffolk/Portsmouth, VA. He received Christ at the tender age of 9 through the direction and growth in a Christian home. He was heavily involved in sports and numerous church ministries throughout his adolescent and teenage life. Upon graduation in 1991, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) embarking on an adventure much greater than he envisioned. Leaving home, he took the discipline and desire to succeed he was taught with him but left Christ. After numerous accomplishments sport and work related had him thinking life was perfect, a life changing experience literally altered his thought process. This experience would limit his military service to 6 years as he was medically retired in 1998. Derrick is a firm believer in Proverbs 3:12, the Lord disciplines or corrects those he loves. This is why he excepts his life change and gave his life back to Christ in 1998. After coaching high school basketball for 6 years in VA, he moved his family to Houston where his wife Paula is from. After searching for his place in life again for some years, he feels God placed him with Fellowship of Christian Athletes to serve Him and be a positive mentor and influence to others.