Derrick is a Wheaton, Illinois native who graduated from Wheaton Central High School in 1974 where he achieved all-state honors as a basketball and baseball player. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers professional baseball team out of high school but elected to attend Georgetown University on a basketball scholarship where he played four years for legendary basketball coach John Thompson.
Derrick presently holds a Public Administration degree from the school of business at Georgetown University. His formal theological training has come through such great institutions as Campus Crusade For Christ, Oral Roberts University, and Wheaton College. He has been married to Patrice Jackson for 34 years and has one son, Derrick II.