Rev. Derrick L. Perkins Sr., the youngest pastor in historic Centennial Christian Church’s 120-year history, is leaving the church to serve director for Congregational Vitality and Innovation for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
After guiding Centennial for 17 years, Perkins calls his career transition “bitter and sweet.”
“I’m excited about a chance to use my God-given gifts to partner and curate relevant resources, trainings, and more on a national level. I’m excited because I get a chance to amplify God’s love on a larger scale,” said Perkins.
“As a St. Louisan, God and Centennial afforded me opportunities, partnerships, support, resources, and platforms needed to serve and engage God’s mission within my hometown and beyond. I will certainly miss the transformative work, community collaborations, and the many acts of service that we’ve done together.”
In his new role, Perkins will develop resources and educational experiences for pastors and congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“We support congregations in self-reflection, lay leader development, establishing community partnerships, exploring outreach and mission opportunities, and more,” he said.
Perkins will also support programming and events for Black Church Ministries across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
“Rev. Perkins’ passion, dedication, and innovative spirit have left an indelible mark on Centennial Christian Church. His leadership has strengthened our mission and elevated the church’s role as a beacon of hope and service in the community,” according to a Centennial statement.
During his tenure at Centennial, Perkins helped create numerous initiatives that enriched both the church and the surrounding community. Under his leadership, Centennial has partnered with other churches and organizations to support various projects including:
-Health programming in partnership with Washington University, featuring pop-up clinics providing COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, as well as ongoing health screenings and education.
-A Food Ministry that offers five feeding opportunities, Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday luncheons, food baskets, and a Christmas toy giveaway.
-Annual community outreach activities including the Juneteenth Celebration in Fountain Park, the Back-to-School Party, restoration of the MLK statue, and the MLK Jr. Observance in Fountain Park.
-Forging strategic collaborations with local universities, seminaries, and organizations with established funding support to amplify Centennial’s outreach efforts and expand its impact within the community
-Transformation of Centennial’s Communications & Technology Ministry, which now encompass video production, live streaming, and YouTube channels that carry the gospel far beyond the walls of the church.
Perkins also “significantly” reduced church debt, strengthening financial stability and positioning the church for sustained growth and future opportunities,” according to a release.
The church also hosts Grill to Glory, a weekly summer neighborhood barbeque lunch sponsored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and community events including back-to-school supplies and clothing giveaways, a Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving baskets, harvest festivals, “Christmas at Centennial,” and “Adopt a School” activities at Washington Montessori.
“Rising from within our church family, sons and daughters have courageously accepted their call into ministry, demonstrating the transformative power of faith, leadership and community,” he said.
Centennial traces its history back to five women, Ella Brooks Thompson, Ida Smith, Sarah Walker, Effie Lewis, and Rita Logan, who led services in homes and tents until March 1905.
The first services were held in the Y.M.C.A. located at 2633 Lucas Avenue. Rev. Minor J. Mace of Paducah, Kentucky was the first pastor. A few months later, this fledgling congregation moved to a building on Morgan Street (Delmar Blvd.) and was renamed Morgan Street Christian Church.
In 1910 the church moved to 4322 Kennerly. Membership increased tremendously due to African Americans migrating from the South. Rev. Briscoe Woolfolk collaborated with St. Louis Public Schools to purchase the Kennerly property, which was the site of Turner School.
In 1924, Morgan Street Christian Church purchased property at 4400 Lucky (now Aldine Avenue). The purchase was made possible through a $10,000 gift from the Christian Women’s Board of Missions (CWBM), which was celebrating its Centennial (100 years). In appreciation for the gift, the church name became Centennial Christian Church.
Rev. Perkins’ final day with Centennial will be Sunday, February 16, 2024. The public is invited to join the congregation or a celebration of his legacy, beginning with a worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception.
“Rev. Perkins’ passion, dedication, and innovative spirit have left an indelible mark on Centennial Christian Church. His leadership has strengthened our mission and elevated the church’s role as a beacon of hope and service in the community,” according to a Centennial statement.
“As a church family, we celebrate Rev. Perkins’s new chapter with gratitude and excitement. We offer our heartfelt prayers for his continued success and invite the community to join us in honoring his remarkable contributions.”
Congratulations and continued blessings as your leadership and guidance expands and reaches the people.