Derbe Originally Derbe was part of the ancient kingdom of Lycaonia, but when Rome redivided Asia Minor, Derbe became part of the Roman province of Galatia (Acts 14:6; See Galatia; Lycaonia). Paul and Barnabas established a church in Derbe on their first missionary journey (Acts 1:14-21), and Paul visited the church on his second and third journeys (Acts 16:1; Acts 18:23). It was one of the churches that Paul wrote to in his letter to the Galatians.