Derek Thompson was born in England in 1950 and in 1957 his family immigrated to Australia. He grew up and went to school in Penrith, NSW. After studying electrical engineering at Sydney University he worked for 34 years with NSW Public Works as an electrical engineer and project manager. After taking early retirement in 2009, Derek completed a Diploma in Theology with Charles Sturt University. For the last twelve years, Derek has been the Coordinator of the Illawarra Prayer Network and Public Officer for an ecumenical church organisation called Five Islands Christian Ministries.