Denise was born in Wichita, KS and was raised in Raytown, MO. Building on the values of faith, family, education, hard work and care for the earth, Denise grew up participating in 4-H, various sports, and outdoor ministry activities. Denise earned two degrees from Central Baptist Theological Seminary – a Master of Art in Pastoral Care and Counseling, and a Master of Divinity.

In 1986, she was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and served ten years as Pastor at Ivanhoe UCC (Raytown, MO). She then served as Associate Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference and, following a move to Texas, was the Interim Minister at St. Paul UCC (Dallas, TX) and the Minister of Faith Formation with First Congregational UCC (Fort Worth, TX). Her experience in the interfaith work of Hospice Chaplaincy prompted her to gain greater experience in a Clinical Pastoral Education. While there she had primary responsibility with the Trauma ICU, and the Women’s and Infants Department, caring for patients, families, and staff.

Denise then became a Supervisory Education Candidate and successfully met a national committee in 2012 to become a Certified Educator. She served on the CPE faculty at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston and then in 2013 returned to Kansas City and joined the Spiritual Wellness Department and CPE program at Saint Luke’s Hospital.

She recently retired and is enjoying extra time with her husband, Richard Hill, and their cat, Patches. Denise continues to serve as a Spiritual Director and enjoys her other interests that include being part of Southwood UCC, gardening, painting, hiking, trips to National Parks, and her passion of deep listening in creation and with each other, toward the goal of healing and restorative love.

CCON was organized in 1994 with the purpose of providing a network of services for the greater Kansas City community. CCON envisions communities in which disparities are eliminated and the inherent dignity of all residents is recognized. CCON enriches the health of our community through high quality, innovative programs that empower participants and are responsive to changing community needs. We understand that a churches responsibility is to provide activities and programming for its membership and an agenda for the community that will motivate, mobilize and create a unified community; an agenda that uplifts, develops our youth for tomorrow and provides love through encouragement and compassion for all people. CCON provides vital services:

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: The Helping Youth Plan for Excellence program (HYPE) encourages teens to become part of the solution through the performing arts. Students practice skills in drama, music and dance. HYPE youth write, produce and perform their works in front of their peers at Kauffman Performing Arts Center and other venues in the KC area. The program reaches over 4,000 students annually.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: CCON provides daily exercise and nutrition opportunities in a full-service fitness facility. Personal trainers are there to serve youth, adults and seniors. CCON also coordinates exciting health education programs using innovative approaches aimed at community and faith-based organizations.

HIV/AIDS PREVENTION EDUCATION: CCON responds to the critical need to reduce the number of new HIV/AIDS cases through education and HIV Screening. The CDC’s estimates show that African Americans, more than any other racial/ethnic group, continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV in the US. CCON’s approach maximizes the power of Black Churches to spread a message of Hope & Healing. Over 25 churches participate with CCON to bring health and healing to hurting people.

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