Herndon United Methodist Church

Denise is excited about working alongside the Herndon UMC  family to reach out with God’s love in the name of Christ.  Denise has an engaging preaching style, and enjoys both traditional and contemporary worship.  Denise has a passion for serving the Lord, and working to encourage others to recognize God’s love of them, as well as their gifts and calling. 

Denise comes to Herndon after serving for three years as Senior Pastor at Redwood United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount, Virginia. While at Redwood, Denise engaged the church family in a visioning and discernment process, geared to discover the ministries that God was calling Redwood to be about for the next 10-15 years.  The Future Ministries process has led to an expansion in current ministry and congregational participation, and also to a building project to expand the present facility to accommodate ministry in the future.  One of Denise’s many interests in congregational development.  In keeping with this, she initiated PIGGS (passions, interests, gifts and graces) as a tool to assist the congregation and leadership in growing in their discipleship through service.  During her tenure, Denise has also promoted the growth of staff—both numerically and developmentally—to support the growing needs of Redwood UMC, as it reaches out into the community, both in service and in hospitality.  

Prior to Redwood, Denise served as Associate Pastor for seven years at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia.  There she provided pastoral leadership to various ministry areas at the church, including spiritual formation, adult ministry, communication, hospitality and discipleship and congregational development.  While in seminary, she was the pastor at Accotink and Silverbrook United Methodist Churches, in Fairfax County, Virginia.  She serves as the current President of the Board of Directors of Blackstone: The Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, and has previously chaired the Finance Committee and served as Treasurer.  Denise has served on the Board of Directors for Franklin County Habitat for Humanity, and the Board of Directors for Friends of the Family Resource Center.  Denise has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Camp Highroad, in Middleburg, Virginia.

Denise has a passion for teaching and learning, and has intentionally participated both in conference, national and non-UMC educational and developmental opportunities.  Denise is a trained Stephen Leader, a Natural Church Development Coach and has completed training as a Healthy Congregations facilitator.  Denise has completed the Reynolds Program for Church Leadership (Duke Divinity School), New Church Leadership Academy (VA Conference), Capital Development GIFT workshop, Creating a Dynamic Volunteer Culture (Group Publishing) and Worship Connection Conference (UMC), in addition to many other learning and training opportunities.

Denise graduated with honors from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. with a Master of Divinity Degree.  She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Virginia Tech.  Prior to her pastoral career, Denise specialized in organizational design and development, and has extensive experience in managing both operations and personnel.  A native of Fairfax City, Denise and her husband David have three adult children and three grandchildren—with a new one on the way!  David is a CPA, with a specialty in small business management consulting, tax preparation, non-profits, trusts and estates.  David also serves as CFO for Diversified Development Company. David has served both the Alexandria and Danville Districts in the financial arena, and has enjoyed serving on the steering committee of the Community Development Association, working in collaboration with Ferrum College. David also served as Treasurer and Finance Chair of Henry Fork Service Center.  David is both a Stephen Minister and a Stephen Leader, and enjoys music, service and learning.