Minister Derrick Elias Tanyhill Jr. (more affectionately known as Minister DJ) is a member of the Bellegrove Missionary Baptist Church of Syracuse, NY. where he currently serves on the Ministerial Staff, Music Ministry, as one of the House Prophets and as the Adjutant General . He was born on July 31, 2004, in Syracuse NY to Rev. Dr. Derrick L. and Elder Elect Nolita Tanyhill.  

 

Min. DJ was born in a Christ centered family, this is what he calls his motivation being that Min DJ is a 3rd Generation preacher. Minister DJ’s call was evident  from the time that he was a baby; for he began singing in the church at the tender age of 3, confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and was baptized at the age of 6, and began receiving invitations to speak in and for various church events at the age of 7.  

 

Min DJ acknowledged his call to ministry at the age of 9 and after approaching his father, he was given wise counsel to wait…….. The Lord spoke to Minister DJ  again in 2019, and upon approaching Pastor Tanyhill again, Minister DJ was licensed into the gospel ministry on Sunday March 7, 2021. In May of 2023 Minister DJ heard God and made the decision to follow him and moved his membership to the Bellegrove Missionary Baptist Church Syracuse NY under the leadership of Bishop Dr Ray A. King, 

 

Minister DJ has been blessed to serve in multiple different capacities throughout his ministry by way of playing the organ, singing, preaching, prophecy, intercession and serving various leaders. He has served as far as Los Angeles California, Greenville South Carolina, Dallas Texas and more. 

 

Aside from his service at the Bellegrove Church, Minister DJ has served as the President of the Jr. Laymen’s Department of the Northeastern District Baptist Association, Vice-President at Large of the Junior Laymen’s Department of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of N.Y. Inc. The Northeast Regional Director of Youth and Young Adults for Kingdom Destiny Fellowship International, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, And Former Youth Pastor Of The Pentecost Evangelical Missionary Baptist Church. 

Minister DJ is the PROUD founder of Elias Lives Ministries, the personal ministry God allowed him to start where he hosts events for youth and young adults along with his staff and other ministry partners. This is to strengthen the kingdom to be ready to work for him. 

Minister DJ has a true love for God, and an anointing that is evident as he ministers every Sunday at the Bellegrove Church through music and proclamation, and when asked what scripture motivates him in his ministry, he is quick to quote Romans 12:2 and be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God