Our Story
About Us
Two ordinary people who said yes to an extraordinary calling.
Meet the DeRochers
Dave & Mandy
Dave and Mandy DeRocher are the founders of Uptime Outreach and the voices behind Shut Up and Serve. Based in Nashville, TN, they use volleyball and medical outreach as a platform to share the Gospel — from local gyms to the ends of the earth.
Their message is simple: shut up the lies, serve God, and serve others with everything you have. They've seen firsthand what happens when ordinary people stop making excuses and start serving.
Through volleyball camps, medical missions, devotionals, and discipleship, Dave and Mandy challenge believers to take their faith off the bench and into the game — serving God and serving others, every single day.
How We Got Here
Our Journey
1991
Mandy Shuts Up the Lies
Mandy grows up in Franklin, TN and encounters Christ through a University of Tennessee Bible study — silencing the lies and stepping into truth. The very next year, she travels to Albania on her first mission trip, and her direction is set.
1992
Dave Shuts Up the Lies
Dave is a member of the USC NCAA Championship Volleyball Team when he is deeply impacted by Jesus Christ at a college outreach for athletes. The lies are silenced, and nothing has been the same since.
1994
Dave Learns to Serve
After graduating from USC, Dave commits to a life of service. He begins serving as a college minister, youth pastor, and volleyball coach — serving athletes, serving communities, and serving God through roles with Every Nation Ministries and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
1996
Mandy Serves in Afghanistan
Mandy serves with the Red Cross in Afghanistan, bringing hands-on care to one of the world's most unreached places. Her calling to medicine and mission is fully formed.
1997
Mandy Graduates from Belmont
Mandy completes Belmont University's nursing program in Nashville, TN — equipped to serve both physically and spiritually wherever God sends her.
2001
Ministry as a Couple Begins
Dave and Mandy begin ministry together as a couple — combining Dave's background in athletics and college ministry with Mandy's heart for missions and nursing. The foundation is laid.
2008
Shut Up and Serve Camp Launches
The first Shut Up and Serve volleyball camp brings together players, coaches, and families to train on the court and grow in faith. The gym is full, the energy is electric, and the mission is clear.
2012
Uptime Outreach Founded
On a mission trip to Brazil, Dave and Mandy found Uptime Outreach — using volleyball as a vehicle to take the Gospel to the nations. Hundreds of people are reached each year through volleyball outreach and life coaching.
2025
Dave Earns His Master's Degree
Dave completes a Master's degree in Counseling and Life Coaching from Liberty University, deepening the tools he brings to the ministry and the people they serve.
Today
The Mission Continues
Shut Up and Serve is reaching athletes, families, and communities around the world. The message is the same as it's always been — shut up the lies! Serve God! Serve others!
The DeRocher Family
Why We Exist
The Mission
We exist to help people shut up the lies that hold them back — and challenge them to serve God and serve others through volleyball.
Through sport, story, and Scripture, we take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. No excuses. No hesitation. Just obedience.
What We Believe
Core Values
Truth Over Comfort
We believe the truth of the Gospel is more important than making people feel comfortable. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life — and we won't apologize for saying so.
Action Over Excuses
Faith without works is dead. We challenge people to stop talking about what they're going to do and actually do it. The world doesn't need more good intentions — it needs servants.
Service as Worship
When we serve others, we serve God. Every act of service — no matter how small — is an act of worship when it's done in the name of Jesus.
Ministry in Action
This Is What It Looks Like
The Organization
Uptime Outreach
Shut Up and Serve is a ministry of Uptime Outreach — a Nashville-based nonprofit that uses athletics as a bridge to share the Gospel locally and internationally.
Through volleyball camps, mission trips, and discipleship resources, Uptime Outreach equips believers to live out their faith on and off the court.
Visit UptimeOutreach.org →The Foundation
Anchored in Truth
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace."
1 Peter 4:10
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Isaiah 6:8
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
Ready to Stop Making Excuses?
Take the pledge. Join the movement. Shut up the lies! Serve God! Serve others — starting today.