Some Of Our Team
We believe that a plurality of elders (pastors) is the biblical model for church leadership. Therefore we have chosen to adopt a team approach to pastoring The Embassy Church. Presently the church is led by Brandon Washington and Derrick Kelsey, who serve as elders. If you desire more insight regarding our model then read, “Why Team Leadership?”
Brandon Washington
Pastor of Preaching and Vision/Elder
Brandon grew up in Dallas, Texas and studied Political Science at the University of North Texas. While helping a friend plant a church in San Antonio he met his wife Cheri. They now have two beautiful children, Reese and Ellis.
Soon after they wed, the couple moved to Denver where Brandon initiated studies at Denver Seminary and served as an Adult Ministries Pastor. As the years progressed, Brandon began to envision a church in Denver that is driven by community, discipleship, and missional living. In preparation for these leadership responsibilities, Brandon and Cheri relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas where Brandon studied as a church planting resident at Fellowship Associates.
Upon returning to Denver they initiated the process of launching The Embassy Church in partnership with a dedicated team of friends that identified with the vision. Their sincere desire is to see that God is made famous in our city.
Derrick Kelsey
Pastor of Missional Communities/Elder
Derrick is grateful that he has the opportunity to team up with Brandon and The Embassy in the city of Denver. Derrick truly loves people and desires to help people cultivate authentic relationships with God and godly relationships with others. He is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a vocal supporter of the football team of his alma mater, the University Of Alabama (Roll Tide!), where he earned a degree in engineering. In 2003, after working several years as a traveling consultant in the software industry, Derrick married his good looking and good cooking wife, Zaneta, and they subsequently moved to Dallas for him to pursue a Th.M at Dallas Theological Seminary. During their time in Dallas their family grew to include two delightful sons, Drew and Zach and it was in his first year there that Derrick met Brandon. Since their initial meeting Derrick and Brandon began cultivating their friendship and molding a common vision for how a community of believers could truly impact each other and an entire city. Derrick and Zaneta have embraced Denver as home and have continually seen God work in amazing ways in and through the people who have been gathered to and impacted by The Embassy.
