Welcome to
Derby Church of Christ
Worship Services
225 N Derby
Derby KS 67037
Sunday
9:30 a.m. Bible Classes
Sunday Worship Service | 10:30am & 6:00pm
Wednesday Bible Study | 7:00pm
Our church staff is here to meet the spiritual needs of our members and guests.
Larry & Bonnie Scarth
Minister
Larry A. Scarth was born on May 29, 1959 and raised in Winfield, Kansas. Graduating from the high school in 1977. He attended 1 year of college at Southwestern College in Winfield and worked 3 years in the aircraft industry.
Larry became a Christian on July 29, 1979 at 20 years old. He graduated from the Sunset School of Preaching on July 3, 1983, and went on to preach in Rose Hill, McCune, and Andover before coming to the Derby Church of Christ in Derby, KS in September of 2000.
Larry has worked with the Flint Hills Christian Camp since 1980 and currently directs the Young Adult Session. He also voices and performs the puppet Moose every year for Vacation Bible School. He drives the church bus and enjoys fellowship with his brethren.
Larry and his wife Bonnie (Fox) were married on August 7, 1981, and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. His hobbies include fishing & camping with his wife and grandchildren. Home renovation and cabinet making and the occasional 5k race.
Robert & Kathy Abraham
Elder
Robert Abraham was baptized in 1975 at the Andover Church of Christ. He then attended the Rose Hill Church of Christ from 1976 to 1985. Robert attended York College in 1978, graduated in 1980 with an Associate of Science degree. He then went to Wichita State and graduated in 1984 with an Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy and then a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Management in 1985.
Robert worked at Ascension Via Christi as a Respiratory Therapist from 1984 to 2025. Robert retired in October 2025. Robert and his wife became members of the Derby Church of Christ in 1985 shortly after their marriage. He served as a Deacon in 1991 and was appointed as an Elder in 2008.
Robert and his wife Kathy were married in January of 1985 and have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
Jim & Jan Christensen
Elder
Jim Christensen was baptized in 1965 at York College in York, Nebraska. He has preached part time , for congregations in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Kansas. He also preached and taught in the military congregations in Germany while on active duty with the United States Army. Jim has taught Bible Studies and classes at church from second grade to adults and along with his wife, worked with teens in Germany and Virginia and with missionaries to German churches.
Jim has been a member of the Derby congregation since June of 1980. He had served as Deacon in charge of Missions and Evangelism before being appointed as an Elder in 2008.
Jim and his wife Jan were married in July of 1967 at the Derby Church of Christ and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
David & Deeny Wahl
Elder
David Wahl was baptized in January 1981. He and his wife, Deeny, worshipped with the Seward church of Christ in Nebraska from 1981 - 1987. From 1987 to 1990 while attending Cleveland Chiropractic College, they worshipped with the Red Bridge church of Christ. in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1991, they became members at the Derby church of Christ. In 1999, David served as a deacon and since 2008 has served as an elder with the Derby Church.
Dave and Deeny were married in August of 1979 and have one son, Alan.
What We Believe at the Derby church of Christ
… that the Bible is the inspired word of God – a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (2 Timothy 3:16 & Psalm 119:105)
… that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and arose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8 & John 3:16)
… that forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to all who will accept it. (John 3:16)
… that those accepting Christ must believe that he is the Son of God, repent of their sin, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him. (Romans 10:9 & Acts 2:38)
… that we are baptized into Him by immersion. (Col. 2:12)
… that the Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to save the lost and edify the saved. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
… that Jesus Christ will one day return to earth bringing judgment to unbelievers and eternal life to believers. And he will reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Our History
In the fall of 1954, members of the Church of Christ in Derby, Kansas, began plans to establish a congregation. The first service was held in the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall on December 5th, 1954, with almost 90 present. Part-time preaching was done primarily by E. W Hammons and Hermon Monhollad.
In April, 1956, a new building was begun and the first service was held in it in September with 210 present. Dion Pitchford came to the congregation at this time, from West Union, Missouri, as its first full time preacher. Other ministers over the years were: George Mayfield, John Thornton, Ernest Sanderson, Cleo Jones, Gary Morrison, Maynard “Bud” Hammans, Kevin Bullard, Terry Butler, and currently, Larry Scarth.
Elders were appointed first in 1955. They were: Charley Reynolds, Russell Mauck & James Alley. Other elders over the years were: Fred High, Leslie Gregory, Ward Clements, John Fultz, Paul McCarty, Jerry Partridge, Phil Clements, Lester Duncan, John Adams, Jerry Merriman, Joe Dillard, Ray Smith, Ray Phillips, Phil Legate, Bill Booth, Mike Peters, and currently, Robert Abraham, Jim Christensen, and David Wahl.
In January, 1966, the final payment was made on the mortgage of the original building, putting the congregation out of debt. That was short-lived as a new building was in the planning at an estimated cost of $110,000. This portion of the present structure was finished in 1968 and moved into in the spring of 1969.
What you can expect when you visit the church of Christ
We want you to visit us at the church of Christ. And we want you to feel comfortable. We realize visiting an unfamiliar place can be intimidating.
So allow us to tell you what you can expect when you honor us with a visit.
Background:
A brief description of our background will help you understand us.
We are a part of “The Restoration Movement.” Our goal is to “restore” the New Testament church in our time. We believe that the New Testament contains the pattern that will duplicate the first century church today. We believe this is a trustworthy and reverent goal.
We want to be a Bible-centered church. And we try to be. Yet we know that our conclusions aren’t flawless, and that our practices are sometimes colored by habit, preference, tradition, or convenience.
Let us walk you through a worship service. There may be some variations from the following description, because every church of Christ is autonomous; self ruled, Independent.
The Setting:
Some churches of Christ meet in homes or rented facilities. Most, like us, have built a building and meet there.
You will enter into our foyer, where we greet and chat with one another, and then you enter our auditorium. There are rows of pews for each to be seated. We have no assigned pews, no reserved seats. So, feel free to sit anywhere you choose.
Singing:
In a book-rack in front of you, there will be a song book for your use. When the song leader announces a number, you can turn to that number in the song book to find the words and music.
A unique characteristic of churches of Christ — something you may find strange, is the “a cappella singing.” We sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments.
This is a conviction with us, not just a preference. We are seeking to worship according to the New Testament pattern; the way the first church did. Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out, we believe it is best to exclude it, too.
You may consider us narrow on this point. But we believe you will respect our reason for it and our conviction. And we think you will find the singing meaningful, with everyone invited to participate.
Prayers:
There will be several prayers during the service. There may be prayers for specific needs and requests, also.
Preaching:
You will notice that the preacher is not referred to as Reverend or Pastor. He may be addressed as Dr., but only if he has earned that academic credential. He will probably be addressed as brother, or Mister, or just called by his first name.
He will not be wearing special clothing to set him apart. We believe in the priesthood of all believers. That all are equal.
The sermon will be approximately 30 minutes. We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered.
Invitation:
At the close of the sermon the preacher will “extend an invitation.” This is simply an expedient time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a commitment or request prayer for support.
He will ask those who wish, to come to the front of the auditorium while the congregation sings a hymn.
Don’t feel ill-at-ease during this invitation. You will not be singled out in any way.
It is possible that one or more may respond, or that no one will respond. Someone may respond for baptism. Some may wish to confess sins. Some may even want to “place membership” with this family.
If anyone responds for baptism, you will witness the baptism during this service. The baptism will be by immersion. And it will be for the remission of sins.
Offering:
If you choose not to participate, don’t be embarrassed. Feel free to pass the trays to the person next to you.
Also, if you visit on a Sunday morning, collection trays will be passed to collect the weekly financial offering.
As our guest, you are not expected to make a donation. Feel perfectly comfortable in passing the collection tray on down the row.
What will be expected of you:
Nothing at all!! You are welcome to participate. But don’t feel obligated to. Just observe, if that is your choice.
You may be asked to fill out a Visitor’s Card. This simply provides information so the church can write or call to say “Thanks for being our guest”. We would like a record of your attendance, but feel free to decline this request if you prefer.
The People:
What kind of people can you expect to find? Pretty much the entire spectrum, as in any group.
You will find traditionalists — and you will find those who prefer anything new over everything old.
You will find those who mistake our traditions for absolute truth and get pretty bent out of shape when they are tampered with. And you’ll find those who consider themselves as liberated from tradition
You will find happy people — and grouchy people. Friendly people — and private people. Loving people — and difficult people. People who are growing up in their faith — and the mature. People who know next to nothing — and people who know everything.
Derby Church of Christ
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