Denny was my dear Christian brother. First time my family ever walked into this church. It was the fall of 2009. I remember the huge choir led by John Jones.
Then they broke off with perhaps 10 of them. The man in the middle of the stage singing with a beautiful deep soul/blues voice, was the star of them all. I remember looking at my wife Colette and her looking back. Is this guy a professional or something? On TV? I thought I saw him somewhere before. So did Colette. Our minds thought it had to be true. He had a star’s presence. A command with his microphone. His hairstyle neatly back. A kind of Elvis look. I will coin it. “The “Christian Cool look!”
Fast forward to that winter and the first time ever I was in pageant I was in props, dressed in all black, instructed by our team leader to not speak or be seen. It’s like Groundhog Day as you get to be in the same exact spot for every performance one day to the next I was at stage right behind the curtain. It was an opening number. And all the singers are lining behind the curtain mentally focused to perform and enter as soon as Pastor Larry is done with his opening monologue. Then BOOM! There he is, that’s him! The soul/blues Elvis guy! Dressed to the 10’s. He wore a tuxedo with a derby hat. I couldn’t help myself I broke protocol and I boldly said to this man, whose voice I so admired.
“Tear it up for Jesus!”
I said nothing more or less. I would repeat this in all 20 performances that Christmas season. He’s probably thinking. Who is this kook? I never introduced myself. Just the stranger in black to give spiritual encouragement before he sang in front of a nightly 2500 people.
As I got to know Denny through the years we never talked about this until his final year when he was in the facility. He would tell me those words meant a lot to him from the stranger that I was. He told me it calmed his nerves He would reiterate, it was easy to give it all for the Lord and it reminded him, he had nothing to be nervous about. He thanked me for these 100 first words of our future friendship. 5 repeated, over 20 times.
Then from his bed, he said
“Brother Brian. You are the true Rock Star. I love you buddy!”
Wow! Coming from the star!
Now that put tears in my eyes. In fact every time I was ready to leave after a visit. He told me to drive safely back home with a big. I love you. He always thought of others.
To back up a tad. I was away on vacation the Friday before Father’s Day 2023. 36 hours before he suddenly fell ill. He left me a message and asked me How’s it going at church? How is Pastor David? Denny wanted to come back but like many others, he just couldn’t get to this point. On Vacation. I never had the chance to call him back. It made me feel guilty.
As many as you know, we had a ferocious church split 5 years ago. We would talk for hours on a weekly basis which turned into months, then years. It could be over dinners or on the phone
Denny always encouraged me to be a leader for the Bride of Christ. Our friendship grew even closer over our love of this church. His talents besides his voice, were website design and he put countless hours in for me and this cause, getting the information out. He was truly a part of the reason we are here today. He helped save the place.
He was a selfless man who never would take a dime for his efforts Many things from my web in business and even singing at my 10 year wedding anniversary over 10 years ago. A true warrior brother and protector. He was like a big brother to me.
As I visited on day one after his stroke. All I prayed for was for him to wake up. Please survive. I wanted to spread the Good News about First Baptist to Denny that I failed to say a few days before.
My prayer was answered by about day 30 or so when he truly started to communicate. By the grace of God he did get better. He had full clarity and understanding. Eventually his personality was back, joking, humorous, making me laugh so many times just like before his stroke. I would show him videos of our rebuilt church, packed house on Easter and other Sundays.
It brought him much needed spiritual and mental comfort amongst his physical pain. He wanted so dearly to get into his wheelchair and attend with me. I said, “I’m taking you to FBC soon Denny!” He loved this thought.
Denny was truly one of the kindest sweetest men I truly have ever known. He made me feel so important. Denny taught me to be more humble and thankful for everything. To not sweat the anxious moments that now seem small in comparison to what he went through. God gave us this gift of our friendship. A powerful and immense free gift. Worth more than any treasure of earthly things. It was forged harder than steel especially in his last year.
In closing .. Thank you all for honoring this great man by your presence today. Candace, Crystal Your pops made a difference in my life. He carried the Brenn name with honor. When it comes to friends, not many Denny’s, come along very often. Mother Teresa once said, not everyone can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love. Denny personified love for others. I will never forget you, my brother. I love you. I know you are with Jesus. See see you again on the other side. Amen.
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