Derick Buggs joined SERVE as a Program Specialist for the NC Homeless Education Program in January 2024. He is delighted to be part of NCHEP and humbly offers his assistance to the Homeless Liaisons in North Carolina. He is committed to supporting their efforts and is eager to contribute to the success of NCHEP. Please don’t hesitate to contact him if you require any assistance or support!

Derick graduated from Bethel University, Mishakawa, IN, and an NAIA school. During his time there, he recieved an Associate in Arts, a Bachelor of Arts in Bible/Ministry, and a Master’s in Ministry. Before relocating to NC, he worked as an Assistant Pastor at a Baptist Church. In that role, he provided spiritual guidance for various Ministries and served as the community liaison for the church. He established the Boys to Men Mentoring Ministry, which aims to help families develop boys aged 8 – 18 into emotionally competent, responsible men who are valuable assets to their families, communities, and future generations. Derick felt a calling to work with families, which led him to return to school. He graduated from Liberty University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

A fun fact about Derick is that he was born in Germany as a military baby and lived there until he turned 8. After that, his family moved to South Bend, IN, where he lived until October 2018, when he and his wife relocated to North Carolina. They’ve been happily married for 24 years and are blessed with three daughters, one son, and three grandchildren. They also have a spoiled 6-year-old labradoodle named Teddy, their beloved furry family member. He enjoys watching sports, traveling, spending time with family, and being an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

“My life motto is that nobody is perfect and will ever be perfect. It is much more important to measure ourselves by whether we are growing in the right direction, not whether we have reached perfection. People who strive for perfection tend to feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed when they can’t achieve it. Those who understand that life is a journey tend to be much more satisfied with their accomplishments and lives,” said Raffi Bilek. Derick would be honored to accompany you on your journey.