Carey grew up on a farm in south west Oklahoma where he was privileged to be raised in a Christian home where biblical values were taught. He began a farming career during his high school years of dairying, farming wheat, cotton, running stocker calves along with being a part of his family’s custom combining operation. Just out of high school he married the love of his life Nettie, and she joined him in the involvement of agriculture which continued until the early 1990’s. They have two children and six grandchildren.

The years of growing up in a Christian home, being actively involved in the small-town church of Corn, Oklahoma, plus the life lessons learned over the years of his farming career set the stage to go into ministry later in life and feeling called into the pastorate. He received a master’s degree in Seminary, then pastoring a church in Gettysburg, SD and Garden City, KS. For the past ten years Carey was the Director of Mission Ministries with Rural Home Missionary Association in Morton, IL. In the fall of 2021 we moved to Hoxie to be closer to family here and Oklahoma.

What do you like to do for fun? 

Spending time with and doing life with Nettie. Also spending time with our kids and grandkids.

If you could go anywhere on a trip next week where would you go? 

Some place warm and enjoy God’s creation!

What passage in the Bible drives you? 

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: Romans 12:9-10 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Derek Pridey grew up in northwest of Leoti, KS, where his dad farmed and his mother was a teacher. After high school, Derek attended Tabor College on a scholarship to run Cross Country and received his Bachelor's degree in preparation for vet school. There, he met his wife Cheryl, who grew up in Corn, OK. Derek and Cheryl have been blessed with four children: Chelidy, Jedidiah, Viley Jane and Silas.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2006, Derek has worked as a veterinarian and currently practices and is owner of Hoxie Veterinary Service, P.A. in Hoxie.

What do you like to do for fun?

Anything outdoors with my wife and kids...riding horses, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping just to name a few...

If you could go anywhere on a trip next week, where would you go?

Hawaii, specifically the less populated island of Kauai...just to relax on the beach and enjoy the sights of nature!

What passage in the Bible drives you?

My top three favorite passages are Psalms 1, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Jeremiah 17:7-8.

These verses drive me to abide and trust in Him!

I have lived my whole life except for my college years in the Hoxie area. Those years were spent farming, ranching and raising kids. My tow sons, Jaxsen and Jake have now come back and joined me on the farm. I married Teri in 2014 and between us we have 8 children and soon to be 10 grandchildren.

What do you like to do for fun? 

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy golf and taking a ride on my motorcycle when I can find the time. 

If you could go anywhere on a trip next week where would you go? 

Italy, Germany, the Holy Land and many places here in the United States have yet to be crossed off my bucket list. 

What passage in the Bible drives you? 

Phillipians 2: 5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is your in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.