Born: 14 August 1915, Bangalore, British India (now Bengaluru, Karnataka, India)

Died: 24 September 2003 (age 88), Jerusalem, Israel

Occupation: International Bible teacher, author, theologian, missionary

Early Life & Education

Derek Prince was born into a British military family in India. He was sent to England as a youth and attended the prestigious Eton College, where he studied Greek and Latin. He then went on to King’s College, Cambridge, where he held a fellowship in ancient and modern philosophy, and studied languages such as Hebrew and Aramaic. At this stage of his life, he considered himself an atheist and was deeply immersed in academic study of philosophy and classical languages.

Conversion & Call to Ministry

During WWII, Prince served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a non-combatant. While stationed at a training barracks in July 1941, he experienced what he described as a profound encounter with Jesus Christ that changed the direction of his life. He later recalled that from that moment he could never doubt that “Jesus is alive” and that “the Bible is the Word of God.” This conversion led him away from academic philosophy toward full-time Bible teaching and ministry.

Early Ministry & Global Reach

After the war, Prince’s ministry expanded rapidly. He traveled, taught, and ministered in many countries. In 1971, he opened an office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (initially named Derek Prince Publications), which later evolved into Derek Prince Ministries (DPM). His teaching covered a wide spectrum of Bible topics with a particular emphasis on spiritual warfare, deliverance, the role of Israel in prophecy, prayer & fasting, and the foundations of Christian faith. DPM spread his teachings into more than 100 languages and in over 140 countries.

Themes of His Teaching

Some of the major themes Derek Prince is known for include:

• Deliverance & Spiritual Warfare: He taught that Christians could experience deliverance from demonic influence, that generational curses exist and that prayer and authority in Christ are key.
• Israel & Biblical Covenant: Prince strongly opposed the idea that the church replaced Israel (so-called “replacement theology”). He believed the covenant with Israel remains valid and saw the modern restoration of the Jewish people as prophecy-fulfilment.
• Clear, Accessible Bible Teaching: Though academically trained, he aimed to make Biblical truths accessible to lay believers.

Personal Life

• In 1946, Derek married his first wife, Lydia Christensen, a Danish missionary who ran a children’s home near Jerusalem. Together they had eight adopted daughters and later adopted another child in Kenya.
• Lydia died in 1975.
• In 1978, Derek married his second wife, Ruth Baker, who brought three adopted children into the marriage. They moved to Jerusalem around 1981 and lived there part of the year.
• Derek Prince passed away in his sleep in Jerusalem on 24 September 2003.

Legacy

Prince authored over 50 books, produced hundreds of audio and video teachings, and established a global Bible-teaching ministry. His teachings continue to be distributed globally, and his ministry still operates through offices worldwide.

His legacy is especially strong in charismatic and Pentecostal Christian circles, though his teachings have been critiqued by some for their emphasis on spiritual warfare and deliverance.

Summary

Derek Prince stands out as a unique figure: a scholar-turned-Bible teacher who moved from philosophy to faith, who combined rigorous language and theological training with a charismatic, global ministry. He bridged academic study and practical Christian living, with strong emphasis on deliverance, Israel, and Bible teaching. His life spanned six continents, and his writings and broadcasts continue to influence many.