Dennis Hogue

I met Dennis in 1982 when Debbie and I had just placed membership at the Emporia Ave. Church of Christ in Wichita, Kansas. I was a junior in college playing basketball for Newman University and had practice on several Sunday evenings and couldn’t attend evening services, but Debbie would always go by herself. Debbie visited with a Deacon at Emporia Ave. named Dennis Hogue one Sunday evening (without my knowledge) and told him that I led singing and could you ask David to lead some time. Debbie knew that I probably would not volunteer.

Dennis asked me the very next Sunday to lead the am worship. He hadn’t heard me, he didn’t know me that well. We had just moved from York College about three weeks earlier. I couldn't believe he had faith in this 20 year old rookie with his 300 member congregation on a Sunday morning.

That began a special relationship that I have had with a man who has been a very special spiritual mentor in my life. Dennis Hogue served the Emporia Ave. Church as the Worship deacon when we arrived in 1982. His family was a great blessing to that church. Dennis was a great worship leader. Not only did he have a great voice, but he had a great heart for worship. He always asked, “ what can we do to enhance our worship to God? What can we do to connect with God even more?” Dennis became my mentor. I watched him and listened to him in class settings and in worship opportunities to find out how to become a better worship leader. It was simple....you had to have a heart to worship God individually before you could ever lead a congregation in worship.

Dennis and his family moved to the Central Church in Wichita after we left Wichita and moved to Conway Springs. He has served that congregation as an Elder ever since. Dennis is battling brain cancer. He needs our prayers.

This man has been very special to me. He has been very special to God. He has been a catalyst for the cause of Christ in Wichita for over 30 years. Thank you Dennis for being that "giant of faith" in my life. You have given me more than I could ever describe. You trusted me. You had faith in me. You saw something that was in me that needed to be brought out. Thank you brother for being my mentor. I love you!