Derek Bates

Derek is the Area Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes area, affectionately called the Mid-Great. Born and raised in Virginia, Derek graduated from James Madison University. After brief but formative stints in Ukraine and Colorado, he moved to St. Louis where he graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary. Having met his wife, Luda, in St. Louis, they briefly considered mission work abroad, which somehow brought them to RUF (it's a great story).

They moved to Pittsburgh in 2008 where Derek served as RUF Campus Minister at the University of Pittsburgh (2008-2021). In 2022 he transitioned into the role of Area Coordinator, overseeing RUF ministries in DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan.

Luda and Derek have four great kids (Caleb, Abiel, Elisea, and Symon) and continue to reside in the vastly underappreciated city of Pittsburgh.