September 24, 2023 marks 20 years since Derek Prince passed away in his sleep at the age of 88 in Jerusalem, Israel. While he was an amazing Bible teacher, he became well known for his work in the area of deliverance.
Today, Derek Prince Ministries continues to train, educate and equip believers. It has been two decades since his passing, yet his ministry continues with offices in 45 countries around the world according to the ministry website! Prince was was a Bible scholar well studied in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic.
Who is Derek Prince
Prince’s story is fantastic and thrilling. He was born in India and an only child to a British military family. As a young British philosopher, he embraced an atheism worldview. Prince was educated at Eton College and Cambridge University in England. While serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1941 during World War II, Prince had a miraculous encounter with the God of the Bible!
About Derek Prince
Derek Prince spent the last 62 years of his life writing over 100 books, penning articles, and preaching the message of Jesus Christ. His work is translated into more than 100 languages and is still cherished by millions of men and women around the globe.
In 1979, Prince began a radio program that would become incredibly popular. Today, 910 of the radio programs have been transformed into podcasts. The ministry website reads:
“By the 1990s, Legacy Radio had been translated into Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Tongan, Samoan, Mongolian and four local languages in China where it was broadcast daily.”
Derek Prince Ministries
Derek’s first wife was a Danish missionary who ran a children’s home. When Prince married Lydia, he also became the father of her 8 adopted children. Although she was 25 years older than he, their marriage was a great success. Consequently, when Lydia was in her 70’s they adopted a little African girl whose mother had died giving birth.
Prince had been married to Lydia for 30 years when she passed away at the age of 85 in 1975. It would be three years before he remarried a Jewess named, Ruth Baker. He and Ruth wrote a book together about their love called, God is a Matchmaker. It is a captivating read! After 20 years of marriage, Ruth passed away after a brief illness.
Derek Prince and Deliverance Ministry
Prince explained in the documentary, The Man Behind the Ministry, that he became a pastor in Seattle Washington for one year. During this time he became involved in the ministry of deliverance. It all began when a Baptist pastor contacted him about a demonized woman in the man’s congregation. The story of how God set her free is in the documentary below. (Cue: 01:55:20)
His willingness to follow the Lord and set the captive free marked his ministry with miracles. In a time when key men of God seemed to keep their faults secret, Derek Prince was bold to both receive deliverance and share freedom with others.
Derek Prince’s ministry grew and became influential to those who were hungry to know God. During the memorial for Derek Prince, John Hagee shared how he came to know about deliverance through Derek and Lydia Prince. In desperation, Hagee reached out to Prince to come teach about deliverance at his church. The services held by Derek Prince forever changed Hagee’s church.
Interesting Facts about Prince’s Passing
- Kenneth Hagin passed away only 5 days before Derek Prince. He was 86. Both men were in ministry over 60 years.
- Derek Prince passed away in his home in his sleep. He is buried at the Alliance Church International Cemetery in Jerusalem.
- The epitaph on his tombstone reads, “DEREK PRINCE. 1915 – 2003. GONE HOME. A Teacher of the Scriptures. In Truth and Faith and Love. Which are in Christ Jesus for Many. God is Faithful.
- Prince had been a widower for almost 5 years when he passed.
- Derek Prince’s funeral was held in Jerusalem on September 26, 2003. A memorial service was held in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday November 1, 2003.
- At the time of death, he was survived by 11 children and an extended family of over 150 persons.
- He lived his life with a heart for the Jewish people as evidenced in what may have been his last or one of his last interviews in 2000.
Deliverance Ministry Resources
Those who have taken up the commission of continuing the work of Derek Prince provide resources through the ministry websites. Derek Prince’s ministry pages offers the following invaluable resources:
- Online Store
- Daily Devotions
- Teaching Letters
- Legacy Radio
- Sermons
- Bible Courses
- Free E-Book
- Sermon Outlines
- Video Library
- Proclamations
- Ministry App
“Our mission is to make Derek’s teaching available to spiritually hungry Christians through books, audio visual resources and websites in over 100 languages – especially in countries where there is persecution and poverty.”
Mission Statement for Derek Prince Ministries USA
Thank You
In spite of the passing of Derek Prince, the dream is coming to pass. Those behind the scenes at Derek Prince Ministries have kept the vision alive! On behalf of those who have benefited from the resources and availability, thank you. Thank you for running the race with patience and sharing our beloved teacher and friend, Derek Prince.
