Pastor Spotlight – Derrick Burrus

Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Rev. Derrick Burrus is the pastor of the Capital Heights Baptist Church, which is located just inside the Leon County line at 7150 Apalachee Pkwy., in Tallahassee.
As a teenager, Derrick Burrus had a goal to become an FBI agent. He was given a full scholarship to Palm Beach Atlantic for Accounting and Music.
Burrus shares that the summer after his high school graduation, God revealed His will for him to go into ministry service. He tried to convince God that he would better serve as a faithful church member as he pursued his dreams. But, God would not let him rest until he answered His call.
Burrus explains that one night as he prayed, he told God that he would surrender his personal plan for God's almighty plan, and that night he slept with true peace.
Three months later, Burrus was off to Bible college to pursue God's ministry. While in college, he began serving as a youth minister in Lithia, Fla., where he learned a great deal from his pastor regarding service in the church and in the community.
In 1992, Burrus was called to pastor a church in Miramar, Fla., and he was ordained. After three years in Miramar, he accepted a call to pastor in Orlando, Fla., where Pastor Burrus served nine years.
In 2005, he accepted the call to pastor at Capital Heights Baptist Church in Tallahassee, where he continues sharing God's Word.
The Biblical role of a pastor is to be the overseer. Pastors are responsible for the spiritual oversight of their congregation. Pastor Burrus prepares and delivers sermons for the Sunday and Wednesday services.
He visits homes, nursing residences, hospitals and other facilities to pray for people and encourage them. He counsels people regarding marriage, parenting, employment and other issues for which they seek guidance.
As the church administrator, it is his responsibility to work with committees, moderate business meetings and conduct other necessary business. He also officiates weddings and funerals, when asked.
“I enjoy seeing how God improves peoples' lives,” he says. “It is a privilege to help people connect with God and find His purpose in their lives. It is rewarding to watch them grow in faith and to watch their lives improve.”
Pastor Burrus was born in Pahokee, Fla. He lived in Belle Glade, Fla. until he left for Bible college. He and his family have lived in Lloyd since 2006.
In his spare time, Pastor Burrus enjoys deer and gator hunting and fishing but admits that he has not taken the time to enjoy these outdoor activities since he started serving with the Jefferson County Fire Rescue as the department's Fire Chief. His involvement in the fire department has become an extension of his ministry, Burrus says, as it provides him with the opportunity to meet and serve people that he would not otherwise have known.
“It is difficult for me to envision retirement at this point,” he adds. “I have been a workaholic from my youth. I like to stay busy doing things that make a difference. I do enjoy brief vacations, but I enjoy my life and my work. I enjoyed a trip to Israel and Jordan in 2019 and I plan to travel to Turkey and Greece in 2021, but those are educational trips to Biblical sites. They are not leisure trips.”
Burrus says that if he had the opportunity, he would like to see the pyramids, northern lights and an active volcanic eruption.
His message to his church people is to serve God by serving others. “Be faithful to your church, love one another and support your pastor," he adds.
Pastor Burrus says that he feels a tremendous burden for the well-being of others. He says that when you don't participate, he feels responsible. When you hurt, he hurts. He can be so much more effective when he knows he is supported.
“My message to those who do not go to church is that you are missing out. Our church family really looks out for each other and are a source of continuous encouragement and love,” he concludes.