BROTHERHOOD........PG 8
Vol 23, No. 2 • June 2023
CHRISTIAN.......PG 9
News You Can Use
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Minister of Music Derrick Gibbs shares his gift and gospel with communities By Sabrina Bates In the May edition of Community News Flash, we spotlighted a mother of four who relies on her faith and music to get through a hectic, everyday life. This month, we are focusing on the other partner in this dynamic duo. Derrick Gibbs is the patriarch of the family that is always on the go. He and his wife, Latoya, have four children Braxton, who is in his second year at Delta State University; Karmyn, almost 18, who is about to be a senior in high school; and a set of 15-year-old twins, Braylon and Kiersten. With musical talents and a strong Christian background, Derrick and Latoya share many interests that have been passed onto their children. Derrick has served as Minister of Music at White Hill Missionary Baptist Church for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he served as pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Holly Springs, Miss., for four and a half years. Derrick grew up in church, as his dad and mom, Rev. Ronnie and Pauline Gibbs, were a pastor-and-wife team. In November 1992, at the young age of 14, Derrick began to serve as a musician and choir teacher at his family's church, First Evangelistical Bible Church (FEBC), of Ripley, Miss., where his Dad, Rev. Ronnie Gibbs, is the Pastor. As a member of the Northeast Community College jazz band in 1996, Derrick played the piano and keyboards. He started out playing drums at age 4 before picking up the piano at age 7. His father was a rock guitarist growing up. Derrick recalled hearing his dad talk about being a member of the group known as the Bob Johnson and Sam Moseley Blues Band. He played guitar for the group. Johnson and Moseley earned a marker along the Mississippi Blues Trail. Derrick's grandmother on his mom's side was responsible for starting the first choir at her family's church, Rock Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835
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Derrick Gibbs
Hill M.B. Church of Tipplersville, Miss. Ministry and music are integral parts of Derrick's life. He grew up to the sounds of James Cleveland, Milton Brunson, Ricky Dillard and New Generation, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, John P. Kee, the Mississippi Mass Choir and Duke Ellington, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, and several other gospel, jazz, and pop artists. Derrick doesn't just sing and play instruments. He is also a songwriter, having written a compilation, "My All", that landed on a Ricky Dillard and the New Generation "10" album in 2017. Derrick studied Dillard's music. He shared that he was also fascinated by Micheal Jackson's sound and inspired by Prince's ability to play 27 musical instruments.
Growing up, Derrick was part of a group that offered community workshops for houses of worship. He recalled how they spent a week with churches in different areas, practicing and fine-tuning their music. That group would then offer a community concert on Fridays or Saturdays to come together and share the music they learned with others. Derrick enjoyed the venture so much that he is bringing that tradition back. Derrick said he wants people to know that it is ok to get back in the choir stand, post-COVID, and fellowship together in such a way. Those interested in Derrick visiting their congregation and hosting a workshop, may contact him at 1-662-587-9796. Technology has changed so much in the way that musicians can teach and learn. Derrick joked when he reminisced on the days when people had to put a cassette recorder next to the radio to capture songs. Those days, aspiring musicians would visit venues to study artists. Studio software and YouTube have been game-changers for studying music and learning instruments. Derrick said tutorials and lessons are more accessible for aspiring artists, singers, and musicians. He used to offer a school for musicians, known as The Music Garden, where he recalls once having 26 students in private lessons. As his immediate family grew, his time became more limited. For now, he plans to continue to offer community workshops for churches and sit beside his wife in the stands cheering on his children through their many extracurricular ventures. He relies on this verse from Deuteronomy 8:2 to help remind himself to hold true to who he says he is, "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no." That verse has become his life's motto. "I tell people I am not just a musician who preaches; I am a preacher who also plays. I love to preach the word of God," Derrick added. As Derrick and Latoya continue to instill their faith and musical talents in their children, it wouldn't be a surprise to see any one of them creating their own lyrics and songs for others or even taking a spotlight in their own communities later in life.