Statement on the Death of the Rev. Derek Terry

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Westerville, OH – The Board, Staff, and Community of LOVEboldly is shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of the Rev. Derek Terry, Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and Pastor of St. Peter UCC in Cincinnati, OH.

“Rev. Derek was a courageous, outspoken, and deeply compassionate leader working daily at the intersections of religion, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation,” LOVEboldly’s Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, said. Dr. Huelskamp worked with Rev. Terry in several spaces including the Collective of Queer Christian Leaders (CQCL) and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM).

“To have a single conversation with him was to feel like family,” Dr. Huelskamp added.

The loss of Rev. Terry is a profound loss to several communities and the movement for justice in the United States.

We offer our condolences, prayers, and support to Rev. Terry’s family, friends, and communities.

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LOVEboldly is an Ohio, faith-based nonprofit working to create more spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can flourish in Christianity and faith in general.

Contact – Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, Executive Director, bhuelskamp@loveboldly.org