Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Derrick Zachary.
Dr. Zachary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Opelousas, LA little Cajun town outside of the city of Lafayette where we are known for making Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning. Being the 2nd child out of four kids’ life was not easy for me. When my mother was eight months pregnant with a snake crawled on her belly, as I was told she threw it in one direction and went in the opposite direction, so you see the enemy has been after my destiny since birth. Having the privilege of growing up on a farm learning the value of work at an earlier age, my father in still in us early that in everything we do be the best and own your own business and always be there for one another. So, every opportunity throughout my childhood I strived to being the best at what I do. I self-taught myself gymnastics, which allow me to train for the 1996 Olympics. I have also dance professionally in competitions in hip-hop and ballet being one of the first black males to get the dance started in the churches when I was 17 in the early 90s. I remember doing this in front of 27,000 people for the March for Jesus in downtown Atlanta, GA. Right after that, I was asked to speak to every youth. Being the first in my family to graduate high school and to go to college was honored. Learning from an early age, Derrick means leader of people which never wanted the spotlight but somehow, people always found a way to put me in front.
Literally, every job I’ve had put me in leadership was in the restaurant world for 20yrs as a training general manager. I created a catering company named after my son, Sri William Catering service. As my life transitioned, I went back to school and got my degree in Medical Assistance and Healthcare Management because I wanted to make an impact on the lives in the community differently. Also was given an Honorary Doctor of Divinity for the School of The Great Commision out of SC. At the same time establishing a church here in Atlanta that I have been pastoring for 14 years. Walking in Authority International Ministry and a talk show name Raw Talk all at the same time. As I am being developed, I have written a book titled, “48 days of Prophetic Utterance, The Deep Calling the Deep”, now to be on shelves in July of 2023. Also, I am in the process of having my own cooking/talk show coming live to major networks
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For great destinies, there are always so bumps in the road that may hinder you for a moment, but it’s how you keep moving forward and pressing toward the mark for the prize that is set before you. Every time something great was happening, something bad would happen. For instance, my training for the Olympics had to come to an end to take care of my siblings because my father was killed in a car crash. I stop training and became an instructor to help free up my time for my sisters. As I was a father to my siblings and too many others that I had in my life, everything was becoming to be put on hold so that those around me could succeed and for a season I was good with that, until I realize I was missing out on opportunities that God had favored me with. So, I persevered and went back to school, got my degrees and started believing in myself when no one else did. These trials help me to become stronger and better. As the scripture says in Rom 8:28 For we know all things work together for the good of them who loves the Lord and called according to his purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Pastor of Walking in Authority International Ministries; the best part is making an impact in the communities and in the lives of families. Every month I do a talk show live on Facebook called Raw Talk. It’s based on have live conversations with whomever wants to come and talk about hard questions sometimes church don’t like to ask or families don’t like to deal with, to bring a healing to the body of Christ and to individuals and there is always food served to everyone.
I also work in the Medical Field, helping everyone to have a better way of living and learning about how to have a healthier life. I am the Site Lead for Quest Diagnostics. Also, at the church, I do free health screenings and go over questions that the community may have. Help teach on insurances and also medications.
I also do a cooking show titled, “Cooking with the Apostle”, that I go live on Facebook. I have cooked a wide variety of foods and have given interviews. Combining the love of cooking with health tips and spiritual guidance so that everything balances out. I believe staying consistent and combining the love of what you do will always cause you to stand out from the rest.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can reach me Derrick Zachary
Email: derrickrzachary@yahoo.com, walkinginauthority_intl@yahoo.com
Cell: 678-362-2163
Church phone: 678-914-8526
Church Address: 2459 Roosevelt Hwy suite C4, Atlanta, GA 30337
Contact Info:
- Website: http://walkinginauthourity-intl.webs.com
- Facebook: Derrick Zachary
