Writer: J. Dennis Miller

A true pioneer of the modern youth ministry movement, J. Dennis Miller (1947-2020) was one of the most creative members ever of Team interlinc. Always a wacky kid at heart, Denny loved students and gave his life intentionally making disciples and training youthworkers to make disciples. His book “Changing Lives: A Practical Guide To Spiritually Powerful Ministry” is a foundational youth ministry textbook. After coming to Christ in his early 20’s, Denny went to Multnomah School of the Bible, then served nine years with the high school ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). He then launched Church Development his own mentoring, consulting, visionary teaching ministry for pastors and youth pastors. To give a sense of Denny’s impact and “outside the box” thinking, he organized his own funeral several years before his death. It was attended by seven generations of youth ministry leaders who Denny had discipled. These are men who Denny led to Christ and discipled, who led generation 2 to Christ and discipled, on through seven generations. Each shared his story at this special event. interlinc President Allen Weed was deeply impacted by Denny and credits much of interlinc’s foundational thinking and creative craziness to J. Dennis Miller.