Derek Saeger’s story is one of transformation, finding faith, and discovering a true relationship with God after years of searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places.
Early in life, Derek’s parents divorced when he was just two years old, and he spent most of his childhood living with his mother in St. Louis, while visiting his father, who lived in southern Illinois, every other weekend. Growing up in the Catholic Church, Derek felt disconnected from God. A pivotal moment occurred during a Catholic Mass when his Lutheran father was turned away from receiving communion. “I knew in my heart this wasn’t God, I knew it was just this church,” Derek reflects. “But I questioned why someone who wanted to show gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice would be turned away. So, it pushed me away.”
In eighth grade, Derek’s life took another turn when his father gained custody, and he moved to southern Illinois, where he would attend high school and college. Despite the change of scenery, Derek continued to feel a void in his life. He tried to fill it with friendships, but nothing seemed to satisfy the emptiness he felt inside. A painful breakup during high school deepened his depression and magnified the hole in his heart. “My life had its ups and downs, but looking back, there was always a hole in my heart,” Derek admits.
As he got older, Derek used humor as a coping mechanism, relying on jokes to ease the pain. “If it’s a serious moment, likely something stupid would come out of my mouth,” he says with a laugh. But underneath the jokes was a deep-seated need for something more.
When a serious relationship after college ended abruptly, Derek’s world shook. “I built my life around her. And when she was no longer in it, everything collapsed,” he confides. He moved back in with his mother and struggled to find his footing. It was during this time that he began sporadically attending Element Church with his mom and stepdad. “I had never been one of those people who went to church consistently,” Derek explains.
In the fall of 2021, Derek returned to Element Church, and this time, he was ready to commit. “I was scared to admit to myself that I want to give my life to Christ because then I needed to hold myself accountable and follow through with the commitment,” Derek shares. Within a month, he knew he was all in. He got baptized and immediately started serving on the production team. The once gaping hole in his heart began to fill as he embraced his faith and the community at Element. “Life took a massive turn very quickly,” Derek recalls. He found a new job and even received a promotion within a year.
Derek’s journey with God has been transformative. “You’re never going to be done pursuing Him,” he acknowledges, understanding that his relationship with God is a lifelong journey. The memory of his father being turned away from communion still resonates with Derek, but he finds solace in the fact that at Element, everyone is welcome. “God won’t turn you away. And every time we have open communion at church, I’m reminded that Element won’t turn you away either,” Derek says.
One of the most profound moments in Derek’s walk with Christ happened on the morning of June 19, 2023. He received a text from his ex—the first contact since their breakup. The message triggered a flood of emotions and anxiety. “I’m a very easy-going person and it takes a lot to get to me. But the moment I received that text, I started to feel that hole again,” Derek remembers. He almost had a panic attack but decided to go see a movie to calm down. On the way, he turned on Pastor Erik’s podcast, hoping for some guidance. The episode he chose at random was about overcoming stress in life. “I will never forget it. I know it was Pastor Erik talking, but it was 100% God using him to talk to me,” Derek says. The weight on his chest lifted, and he began to cry as he realized the significance of that day—it was the anniversary of his baptism. “It was a day I will never forget,” he says with emotion.
Derek’s story is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of community. The support he’s found at Element Church has become a second family, helping him grow in his walk with Christ. His advice to anyone seeking God comes from Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Derek Saeger’s life has been a journey of finding hope and healing through a relationship with Jesus. Today, he knows that no matter what comes his way, God is with him, and he will never be turned away.