The Louxs’ two biological daughters, Sophia (12) and Michaela (9), were joined by five adopted daughters from the Marshall Islands: Telma (19), Teyolla and Keyolla (twins, 18), Leeann (15), and Sana (8). Of their three adopted sons from the Ukraine, Sasha (7), Ethan (6), and Silas (3), two have Down syndrome and one has spina bifida.

Late in the evening on December 22, after attending a training seminar on how to save children out of the sex slave industry, Derek and his friend Jonathan, began their return drive home from Colorado. They hit a patch of black ice as they drove through a Nebraska snowstorm, causing their vehicle to spin out of control and flip several times. Derek was not driving the car and was sleeping in an almost completely reclined position. Derek was wearing his seatbelt, but when the car flipped, Derek was literally sucked out of his lap belt. Because he was reclined, his shoulder harness was not tight enough to hold him.  Jonathan and a witness of the accident immediately performed CPR on Derek while waiting for the ambulance. Derek was given several different drugs to revive him and after an hour, he regained a pulse. The doctor’s told the Loux family that Derek had been without a pulse for over an hour and that while being transported to a larger trauma care hosptial, his heart rate began to drop and he passed away.

Derek was part of the senior leadership team of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC) and served many areas of the missions base, including helping to pioneer Forerunner Music Academy. Before joining IHOP–KC, he served as the director of Indianapolis House of Prayer for four years. As a professional musician, singer, and songwriter, Derek recorded several CDs including Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning. He was also a worship leader and a frequent conference speaker.

Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans, particularly those with special needs. He pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center, a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.

Kirk Bennett, director of IHOP–KC’s justice department, worked with Derek and the Orphan Justice Center.  “Derek was a joyful husband and father. He is one of the most amazing champions of justice, adoption, and life that I have ever worked with. He was intensely and personally involved in bringing justice to many; he demonstrated the value of life to people and individuals so that they could experience their own value and freedom,” said Kirk.

Derek and Renee’s firstborn son, Josiah, a special needs child, passed away when he was 2½ years old. Josiah’s life and death opened the Louxs’ eyes to a whole new world of love for children with special needs. As a result, one of their dreams has been to buy approximately 45 acres on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Grandview, to build a “mansion of mercy” and therapy center for special needs children and the staff caring for them. Renee and the Loux children plan to continue their current efforts to help children, fulfilling this dream even in Derek’s death. For more detailed information about the Josiah project and how you can partner with the Loux family, go to www.josiahfund.org <http://www.josiahfund.org> .

Mike and Diane Bickle and the entire IHOP–KC staff will greatly miss Derek Loux, his excellent leadership, and his faithful friendship. Speaking of Derek, Mike Bickle says: “He was a faithful man who loved God and cared about people. He led worship teams, and helped start Forerunner Music Academy and the Orphan Justice Center. He was an integral part of our leadership and he will be greatly missed as a dear friend.”

Derek’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the IHOP–KC Forerunner School of Ministry building located at 12444 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri, 64030.

Service times are as follows: viewing, 10:00am–noon; memorial service (available by live webstream on IHOP.org/louxmemorial<http://www.ihop.org/louxmemorial> ), 2:00pm–4:30pm.

If you would like to assist the family at this tragic time, you may do so by mailing your tax-deductible financial gift to:

IHOP–KC
3535 E. Red Bridge Road
Kansas City, MO 64137

Please make checks payable to “SCCF” and write “IHOP–KC Benevolence Fund” in the memo line.

Checks may also be brought to the IHOP–KC Business Office at 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City. If you would like to make a credit card donation, please call: 816.763.0200 x.2250

On behalf of the entire family, we thank you,

Tracie Loux

Dear IHOP family,

Derek Loux, who was such an important part of our IHOP family for many years, is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Early this morning as he was traveling home from Colorado, Derek was killed in an automobile accident when his car hit a patch of black ice.  Derek had been in Colorado to receive more extensive training in how to minister to victims of human trafficking,

For years, this precious man of God has faithfully served his Lord and our Missions Base in so many areas, including helping pioneer the Forerunner Music Academy, where he served as director.  Derek was part of the IHOP-KC senior leadership team, a worship leader in the House of Prayer, and a frequent IHOP-KC conference speaker.  He has recorded professionally as a musician, singer and songwriter; including his albums Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning.  Before joining IHOP-KC, he served as the director of IHOP-Indianapolis for four years.

Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans; he pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center – a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.  OJC recently become an official part of IHOP.  His tireless voice for the weak and voiceless indelibly marked us all. How we will miss him.
Renee and the children will need so very much love and support, not only in these first weeks, but for many years. In the immediate, Pamela Stead will spearhead all practical care for the family.  Please contact her (pamelastead@ihop.org) if you want to be involved in practical helps. We ask you to please give the Loux family (immediate and extended) privacy to grieve, and only go to the home if invited. There will be many ways to give – meals, childcare, home care, finances. More details will follow soon on how you can give to this precious family, as well as Memorial plans.

We do not grieve as those who have no hope, but oh how we grieve. For Renee, for children who have lost their earthly father,  and for our family who has lost a marvelous comrade.  Until that Day when He dries every tear…we mourn with the Loux family.

The IHOP Leadership Team

The following  account below is from our family support staff member “Kristen”.  Sophia and Sana performed in their school’s Christmas play last week (Michaela got sick the last minute and couldn’t participate) … the rest of the family attended.  The date had been changed and was earlier than the previous years so Derek and I were very disappointed that we were going to miss the girl’s Christmas program!  We will get to see it on video so that helps a little.

Kristen’s account of something very special that happened:

Tonight I took some short little videos of Sana singing–she was beyond
adorable.  Sana had seen me up front taking pictures, but didn’t know about the videos.
When I told her that I had taken them, she lit up and exclaimed “Oh good then my mommy can see
them.”  Talk about melt your heart!!!  I said, “Yes, your mommy will love to see it!”

As we were leaving home to come to the performance tonight, Sana looked at herself in the mirror and said “I am
different.”  I could tell she meant that in a positive way, but wasn’t sure
what she meant.  So I asked her about it and she said “I feel different” as she studied
herself in her pretty outfit.  So I said, “Oh, do you feel really beautiful in that pretty dress?”
With her eye’s beaming she said “Yes!”  … moments I wouldn’t trade for the world!

At the end of the show.. the kids sang a song “There Are No Orphans In God’s
Family” … Sana was on my lap and Sasha was on Renee’s mom’s lap. Sasha kept
reaching over to hold Sana’s hand throughout the night… so as this last
song was sung, it about moved me to tears because these two precious
treasures, placed in such a wonderful family this year,  were holding hands with
each other.  Sasha loved the tune so much he raised his other free hand in
worship and Sana was humming aloud to the finale.   Joyful little hearts!!!

Thanks so much Kristen, for sharing this with us!  Only God would devise such a heartmelting plan as to take the little orphan crippled boy from rural Ukraine and the orphaned bright eyed South Pacific princess, put them into the same family as brother and sister, and have them sit together in Missouri, hold hands and sing “There Are No Orphans In God’s Family”.  There is no story teller like our God!

Our beautiful Sana and precious Kristen!

Renee and I are in Hawaii for 12 days together.  We did five days of ministry here,  both at a church in Hilo and at the Youth With A Mission base in Kona.  While in Kona, we got to see our precious  Telma.  She is completing her missions school at YWAM’s University Of the Nations.  Telma will be getting on a plane for Rwanda on Monday, headed for her outreach, where she will be ministering to orphans with AIDS.  We had such a wonderful time loving on her, celebrating an early Christmas together and telling her how proud we are of her!  What a beautiful heart she has!

We are now taking a week to celebrate a long overdue 2nd honeymoon.  The Lord blessed us with the use of a great time share home right on the ocean!  He is so good!  While we’ve been away our “Family Support Staff” (Claire, Tiffany, Peter, Kristen, & Travis) and Renee’s mom Flo, have been taking care of our kids.  We received the following email from Kristen and had to share it with you.

Before bedtime last night, we put the IHOP (International House of Prayer) webstream on in the boys room
and we started praying together.  At first we just had the little boys along with Sophia and Sana.   We prayed
for different ones and we could really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in a strong way… Then Leann brought
in sweet KK (Michaela) who wasn’t feeling well so we could pray for her.  As we prayed I opened my eyes to see
that Ethan, Silas and Sasha had all scooted over and put their hands on Michaela and were praying for her too.
As KK opened her eyes periodically and saw all her siblings, especially the boys praying it even put a contented
smile on that sweet little face.  She was feeling miserable!

Later as I was holding Sasha and praying for him, I could feel the fire of the Lord resting so strongly on him.  He seemed
so peaceful and just rested into it.   My hands were so hot as Sasha and I danced to the streaming worship together–Sasha
in my arms.  God loves to encounter little boys!!  Tucking him in bed that night, I asked him what he wanted to pray for… he
said “Healing”… I asked, “Healing for who?”   He said “Mama” I said “Okay”,  and then he said “Sasha too.”  I said “Okay, what
should we ask God to heal?” He said “My legs.”

It is unbelievable to have such incredible people on our team as we fight for justice for the orphan together.  To have people give of their time and of themselves so sacrificially, loving the Lord, loving our kids, and taking the time to lead them in prayer, worship, and discipling them while we are gone just blows our minds!  Renee and I stood in the kitchen of the home we’re vacationing in, with tears of gratitude streaming down our faces.  Thank you Claire!  Thank you Tiff!  Thank you Peter!  Thank you Kristen!  Thank you Travis!  Thank you Mom! We love you and are so thankful that you are family!

Our beautiful Claire with our precious Ehan! Claire is our "Wonder Woman!" She goes above and beyond what is asked of her daily! What a beautiful servant's heart she has! Claire, we love you so much! You are so precious and we are blessed beyond belief to call you "family." Thanks for giving of yourself daily to each one of us!

Claire, Silas and Ethan having fun among the apple tree

Our beautiful Tiffany with our precious Silas.... Tiff is amazing! She has such a tender heart of love and Silas adores her! Thanks Tiff for all you mean to each of us. You are priceless!

Our Peter has a beautiful heart and the most precious spirit! Sasha absolutley adores him. We love you Peter! You are a true and priceless gift from Jesus to us! Thanks for loving Sasha so well!

Our Travis is incredible! He loves to play with our kids and he's just so much fun! We love and appreciate you so much! You are a gem and we are so thankful for you!

Our beautiful Kristen! What a servant's heart she has! Our kids adore her and we love her so much! Thanks for how you pour out your love on our children! We love you so much!

Mom is amazing! She loves her grandchildren so well! Thank you Mom for how you give of yourself daily to each of us. You are such a servant and we are so thankful for you! We love you very much!!

Sana and Kristen