Faith, Leadership, Ministry Resources, and Digital Outreach

Congregation of Churches is a partnership of churches, ministries, and believers committed to edifying, empowering, and encouraging believers, while also helping merge ministry into the marketplace through the use of online technologies. Founded by Evangelist/Pastor Derick E. Wilkes, Congregation of Churches provides faith-building media, leadership development, ministry resources, and digital tools for churches, ministries, and believers.

Founder Biography

Evangelist/Pastor Derick E. Wilkes is the founder and president of The Congregation of Churches, a non-denominational Christian ministry and association serving churches, ministries, and ministers.

Born in Greenville, North Carolina, Derick began ministering healing to the sick as a child, often accompanied by elders who discerned the call of God on his life. Raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he later worked in marketing with organizations such as the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau before answering the call to full-time ministry.

On June 25, 1993, Derick met his wife, Natalie, at a business card exchange event in Philadelphia. They were engaged within three months and married on May 14, 1994. Though they came from different denominational backgrounds, they were united in faith and purpose and began ministering together that same year through a feeding and clothing outreach to the homeless.

In 1996, they organized a missions team to attend the World Missions Conference in Green Lake, Wisconsin, which became a catalyst for hosting their own conferences to edify and empower believers. That same year, they founded Christians Working Together Ministries, which later became The Congregation of Churches.

In 1997, Derick and Natalie served as volunteer missionaries in Washington, D.C., where they authored a resource book for the homeless, of which 100,000 copies were published.

Derick graduated from World Harvest Bible Training Center in Pennsauken, New Jersey, where he connected with a healing Evangelist who became a key mentor. Under this influence, the healing anointing on Derick’s life increased as he meditated on and practiced biblical healing principles.

By July 1999, Derick began ministering full-time as a Healing Evangelist. That year, his calling was prophetically confirmed through a word from the Lord: “Christians don’t get sick—you’ve never known a sick Christian, only Christians with sick bodies.” Since then, he has ministered the saving and healing power of Christ to thousands throughout the United States and Canada.

In 2001, Derick and Natalie Wilkes established a non-denominational, non-accredited theological training program offering Bible Development Courses designed for practical, Spirit-led growth. Their foundational workbook, Dividing the Word, remains in use today. Since its inception, the program has impacted hundreds of students.

In October 2003, Derick and Natalie were affirmed into the pastorate through the laying on of hands.

In 2007, the couple began hosting their annual TOTAL FAITH IMMERSION PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCES, biblically based gatherings for believers seeking refreshing in the Word of God. Derick E. Wilkes and his wife, Natalie A. W. Wilkes, continue to serve as a voice of faith, healing, and Kingdom revelation to the Body of Christ.

In 2009, during one such conference on her 40th birthday, Natalie A. W. Wilkes was publicly affirmed into the office of the prophet. That same year, The Congregation of Churches was formally established, transitioning from Christians Working Together Ministries, as a hub for ministry development and partnership.

Derick and Natalie have also authored several books, CDs, and DVDs that have been used by ministries around the world.

Continuing Ministry Development

In April 2014, Derick published How to Hear Faith When It Comes.

In 2016, The Congregation of Churches launched the COC Partner Podcasts, an international, bi-weekly virtual gathering designed to edify, empower, and encourage believers through Word-centered fellowship.

Between 2018 and 2020, he authored additional works including Learning the Language of Faith, Faith for God’s Vision, Kingdom Economics, and Mapping Out God’s Plan for Your Marriage.

In 2021, two more titles were released: Faith to Be Born Again and What Are Your Faith Measurements?

In 2025, Derick E. Wilkes authored his newest release, Rhema: The Voice of God’s Word, a revelatory work exploring how God’s spoken Word becomes alive in the heart of the believer.

Today, The Congregation of Churches continues to serve as a platform for faith-building teaching, leadership development, ministry partnership, and digital outreach, helping churches, ministries, and believers move forward in purpose, clarity, and practical impact.