Bishop Derek G. Owens was born and raised in Mount Vernon, NY by his parents, Leroy & Peggy Owens. Bishop Owens received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance) at the age of 20. 

In 1987 Bishop Owens married the former Sheila Denise Coates. Their happy union has produced (4) children: Marques, Aaron, Danielle and Stephan. After marriage in 1987, the LORD began to move Bishop Owens quickly in the ministry; ordained teacher in 1988, ordained Elder in 1990 and  an ordained Bishop in 1995.

Bishop Owens has an undergraduate degree from American International College in Management Information Systems and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from New York University.  Bishop Owens works for a major Telecommunications Company as an Enterprise Network Architect. Bishop Owens also served as a Chaplain for Shalom Nursing Home and taught several classes at a Theological Institute in Mount Vernon.  The Lord showed Bishop Owens in a vision that as he travels across the world doing the work of Corporate America, He will also travel across the world doing the Lord’s Work!!! 

In 2004, The Lord dealt mightily with Bishop Owens to start a church, The GoldenSword International Fellowship Church, a non-denominational church subscribing to the Reformed Pentecostal theological position. 

In 2007, Bishop Owens implemented The Prison Ministry Department of GoldenSword International Fellowship.  The New Creations Ministry is a comprehensive outreach spanning various areas of need. The ultimate goal is to reduce the deterioration rate of offenders. 

In 2011, Bishop Owens founded the GoldenSword Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) to remedy social and economic disparities and to bridge socio-economic voids existing in urban America. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, GEDC works to impact the lives of individuals and families residing in historically underserved communities through the implementation of programs established under the umbrella of its core initiatives. 

For 2015 & 2016, Goldensword International fellowship has been voted “The Best Place to Worship in Bronxville”.

Bishop Owens has been chosen to become the first Police Chaplin in the city of Bronxville.

Bishop Owens has a weekly radio station series called “Grace for Grace ” on WMCA, 570 on the AM dial every Tuesday night from 9:00 PM – 9:15 PM.  

Bishop Owens’ desire is to see souls saved and liberated, bodies healed and God’s people delivered!!