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Dennis is a 1970 graduate of Northwest Area High School in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, and a 1974 graduate of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He earned his master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1979 and for the next 22 years served as pastor of churches in Port Travorton and Berwick before being appointed district superintendent of the York District in 2001. As district superintendent, a post he held for six years, he oversaw 70 churches with more than 20,000 members.  In 2007, he began his pastorate at Otterbein United Methodist Church in South Middleton Township.

As a college student, Dennis studied at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies in Israel for 10 weeks and in 1985 addressed more than 20,000 Boy Scouts as Protestant chaplain at the Boy Scout National Jamboree. He received the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism, traveled to central Mexico on three mission trips, served as an emergency medical technician for 12 years, served on the American Red Cross, YMCA and United Methodist Children’s Home in Mechanicsburg boards, and officiated at more than 300 weddings and 500 funerals. But he says the most memorable part of his career is simply “working with hundreds of people who have been engaged in God’s work.”

Members of his congregation say their church has made great strides under Dennis’s leadership. Pat Strickler and her husband, Paul, are longtime church members, and they say their church’s Christian day care program, Bright Beginnings Child Care, is a success today because of Dennis. “Bright Beginnings Child Care offers full-time child care to children ages 2½ years through fifth grade, plus a before- and after-school program,” Pat Strickler said. “Also, during Rev. Dennis’s leadership, four members of OUMC have dedicated their lives to full-time Christian ministry. This is a special blessing for our church family.” Brenda Brehm agreed. “Pastor Dennis leaves a lasting legacy at Otterbein,” she said. “In addition to many many wonderful sermons, we celebrate that Pastor Dan was instrumental in encouraging the congregation to pay down a huge portion of our debt under his leadership. Also, it was Pastor Dan’s vision that Otterbein have a child care program at the church. Since its inception in 2014, Otterbein’s Bright Beginnings Child Care program has seen approximately 200 children enrolled in our Christian-based child care program. As you make your way through the halls of Otterbein, the children’s artwork on the walls will be an ongoing reminder of Pastor Dennis’s vision of taking care of children.

“Notably, during Pastor Dan’s appointment to Otterbein, the congregation has sent four young people out into full-time ministry, (and) that is something to be proud of.” Pat Strickler said Dennis has been “a blessing and joy to our congregation since his arrival to shepherd OUMC 11 years ago.” “His Christ-like witness, his scholarly knowledge of the Bible and his passion for preaching has truly enriched our lives,” she said. Otterbein offers two services each week, and as a substitute organist, Pat Strickler said she enjoys listening to Dennis’s message both times. She said she is “always gaining additional insight into the scriptures as I grow in knowledge of God’s truth and lean on the Holy Spirit to guide me moment by moment.”

Brehm said about 370 people attended the picnic-style retirement celebration for Dennis on June 3 at the church. The event included a program of gifts and music by different groups from the church. Brehm said Dennis received a framed poster with photographs of the various churches he has served, the Cross & Flame award from Boy Scout Troop 171, a customized crock containing notes of thanks and remembrance from members of the congregation, and a scrapbook from Bright Beginnings Child Care of Carlisle. “Pastor Dennis will be missed, and our congregation wishes him well in his retirement,” she said.

Alumni Published

Two of Asbury Seminary’s former students just got papers accepted for publication in Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft. 
Drew S. Holland, “The Form and Function of the Source Citations in 1-2 Kings,” ZAW 130 (2018), forthcoming. 
David B. Schreiner, “The Annihilation of the Egyptian and Neo-Assyrian Armies: A Proposal of Inner-biblical Typology and Some Literary-critical Implications,” ZAW 130 (2018), forthcoming.