In 2018, when Denis was considering retirement from his engineering company, God called him to a new role as Director of Youth Ministries. Since then, he has built a sustainable youth program supported by a strong team of dedicated leaders. Together, they focus on listening, guiding, and celebrating with youth as they navigate the joys and challenges of decisions that shape their heart, soul, strength, and mind.
Denis encourages teens to take responsibility for their own lives and to determine the values by which they will live. He is deeply committed to helping young people participate fully in church life alongside adults. He was instrumental in introducing youth readers at all Sunday services and continues to foster opportunities for greater youth involvement, including outreach to those in need within the community.
Our youth will tell you that Denis loves to share stories of his mistakes, failures, and successes. He is quick to set aside a planned lesson if he senses that the teens simply need space to talk and be themselves. Through this approach, he has created a safe and welcoming environment where young people know they are loved by God and by us, and that they will always be supported on their journey of faith in Christ.
Denis has completed Youth Ministry courses at the Virginia Theological Seminary and has attended numerous Youth Ministry conferences. He loves spending time with his two daughters, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter , enjoys playing golf and biking, and gives thanks for the wonderful 56 years of marriage he shared with his late wife, Valerie.
His favorite Bible verse is 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
