In Honor of Derek Loux
On Wednesday morning December 23, 2009, Derek R. Loux (37), a husband, father, musician, and justice advocate, went home to
be with the Lord after a fatal car accident in Nebraska. Derek, a faithful servant of the Lord, was husband to Renee Loux
for 17 years and father to ten children, several with special needs.
The Louxes' two biological daughters, Sophia
(12) and Michaela (9), were joined by five adopted daughters from the Marshall Islands: Telma (19), Teyolla and Keyolla (twins,
18), Leeann (15), and Sana (8). Of their three adopted sons from the Ukraine, Sasha (7), Ethan (6), and Silas (3), two have
Down syndrome and one has spina bifida.
Late in the evening on December 22, after attending a training seminar
on how to help children who are rescued out of the sex slave industry, Derek and his friend, Jonathan Oliver, began their
return drive from Colorado. They hit a patch of black ice as they drove through a Nebraska snowstorm, causing their vehicle
to spin out of control and flip several times. Jonathan and a witness of the accident immediately performed CPR on Derek while
waiting for the ambulance. Derek regained a pulse, but his heart rate dropped as they were transporting him to a hospital
and he passed away.
Derek was part of the senior leadership team of the International House of Prayer of Kansas
City (IHOP–KC) and served many areas of the missions base, including helping to pioneer Forerunner Music Academy. Before
joining IHOP–KC, he served as the director of Indianapolis House of Prayer for four years. As a professional musician,
singer, and songwriter, Derek recorded several CDs including Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning. He was also a worship leader
and a frequent conference speaker.
Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans, particularly
those with special needs. He pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center, a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.
Kirk Bennett, director of IHOP–KC's justice department, worked with Derek and the Orphan Justice Center.
“Derek was a joyful husband and father. He is one of the most amazing champions of justice, adoption, and life that
I have ever worked with. He was intensely and personally involved in bringing justice to many; he demonstrated the value of
life to people and individuals so that they could experience their own value and freedom," said Kirk.
Derek
and Renee’s firstborn son, Josiah, a special needs child, passed away when he was 2½ years old. Josiah’s
life and death opened the Louxes' eyes to a whole new world of love for children with special needs. As a result, one of their
dreams has been to buy approximately 45 acres on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Grandview, to build a “mansion of mercy”
and therapy center for special needs children and the staff caring for them. Renee and the Loux children plan to continue
their current efforts to help children, fulfilling this dream even in Derek’s death. For more detailed information about
the Josiah project and how you can partner with the Loux family, go to
www.josiahfund.org.
Mike and Diane Bickle and the entire IHOP–KC staff will greatly miss Derek Loux, his excellent leadership,
and his faithful friendship. Speaking of Derek, Mike Bickle says: “He was a faithful man who loved God and cared about
people. He led worship teams, and helped start Forerunner Music Academy and the Orphan Justice Center. He was an integral
part of our leadership and he will be greatly missed as a dear friend.”
Derek’s memorial service will
be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the IHOP–KC Forerunner School of Ministry building located at 12444 Grandview
Road, Grandview, Missouri, 64030.
Service times are as follows: viewing, 10:00am–noon; memorial service,
2:00pm–4:30pm.
If you would like to assist the family at this tragic time, you may do so by mailing your
tax-deductible financial gift to:
IHOP–KC
3535 E. Red Bridge Road
Kansas City, MO 64137
Please make checks payable to “SCCF” and write “IHOP–KC Benevolence Fund” in the memo line.
Checks may also be brought to the IHOP–KC Business Office at 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City. If you would
like to make a credit card donation, please call: 816.763.0200 x.2250.
