Tributes are pouring in for a church leader described as a father, mentor and leader.
Past Derrick Schroeder, a senior pastor at the Lighthouse Christian Centre (Lighthouse Ministries) in Fairfield Estate, Parow, died on Wednesday 22 October at the age of 61 years. Since the news of his passing broke, several people who had known him, family and friends had shared their messages of condolence, sympathy and messages of support on social media.
Schroeder is also the father of the well-known sports reporter and former television host, Ricky Schroeder.
Clyde Schroeder, his brother, told TygerBurger that to talk about their father, one can write a book.
“He was an intentional man, someone who was always present and supported us throughout life, at events, our schools, rugby and in our career. As a father, he was always present.
“He was a loving father and to others who knew him, he was the classic father figure.
“People would have a unique connection with him and he always made people feel special in a unique way,” Clyde explains.
He says his father worked for several years as a social worker as well as a deputy-director in the premier’s office, before joining the ministry full-time.
“He preached at various other churches prior to joining the ministry full-time. About ten years ago, he left his work and he has been a great servant to the community since,” says his son.
Clyde describes his father as a loving father to them as children, and loving husband to his mother. “He would always bring us together in a difficult time,” he says.
The family has also seen an outpour of support from those who knew their father.
“That means the world to us. He had a great impact on so many and the messages mean the world to us,” he says.
Past Schroeder joined the Lighthouse Christian Centre in 2012.
Spiritual leader pays tribute
Past Charl van Vollenhoven, an executive pastor at the church, paid tribute to his friend, colleague and mentor saying as a church they are taking their time to mourn in this difficult period.
Van Vollenhoven, who grew up in the church, says he worked with Schroeder for about nine years, but that the has known him since the age of 15 years.
“He was a friend and a father to me in many ways. He was someone who wore many mantels.”
Van Vollenhoven concurred Clyde’s sentiments about his father. “He saw people and was present, an intentional person. He was compassionate and was always present.”
He says Schroeder never wanted to be referred to as a senior pastor, but rather a lead servant because he was a servant to the people. “He believed in the potential of people, even though they never saw it themselves.”
He says Schroeder was someone who embodied what it is to be a father.
“He was a great father, a great mentor and he meant a lot to everyone,” says Van Vollenhoven.
Schroeder lost a daughter in 2009 and his wife in 2018. He is survived by his sons Clyde and Ricky Schroeder.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday(29 October) at 19:00, and his funeral is set to take place on Saturday 1 November at 09:00 at the Lighthouse Christian Centre at 275 Voortrekker Road, Fairfield Estate, Parow.
