The Dennis is widely known for its music ministry. But there is so much more to this extraordinary family.
The Dennis Family Music Ministry consists of the nine children of the late Pastor Dr. JP Dennis, Jr. & the late First Lady Sarah Dempsey Dennis, beloved leaders of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church for 52 years and staunch supporters of the community at large. This family is on fire...fulfilling a great legacy left by their parents! The story of what this couple gave and meant to this community is monumental. The children were raised straight out of 67214.
These three sons and six daughters of the late Pastor & First Lady Dennis are today servant leaders and hard workers in their churches, in their neighborhoods, on their jobs, in this community and beyond. The family includes preachers, teachers, musicians, vocalists, counselors, educators, song writers, cooks, caterers, event planners, civil rights leaders, mentors, deacons, youth workers, playwrights, encouragers, artists, athletes, trustees, intercessors, etc. as well as wives, husbands, parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Individually and collectively, they have received dozens of awards from dozens of organizations for humbly and diligently serving this community in love using their gifts and talents to bless a multitude of people.
The Dennis Family has contributed thousands of dollars to local charitable organizations including Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Awareness & Research, The Kansas African American Museum, American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association, RiverFest, Leukemia/Lymphoma Association, Black Arts Festival, Juneteenth, American Cancer Society, The Lord’s Diner, Share the Season/Community Foundation, the Center for Health & Wellness now known as the HealthCore Clinic, scholarship fundraising of various local organizations and many more.
They are widely known for years of Music Ministry, including singing for Weddings, Celebration of Life Services and various church and community events. They have shared their beautiful music ministry in homes and care facilities as well.
In recent years, they were inspired to present an annual Champion of Family Award to individuals, organizations, businesses and families who go above and beyond to promote and strengthen the first institution ordained by the God - marriage & family. Recipients have included: Michael & Deborah Jackson & family of The Jackson Mortuary; Evangelist Mother Dilce Polite; the Dr Val & Mrs Jo Brown family; Mrs Midge Dempsey, LPN; the Dr Arthur & Mrs Patricia Dehart family; Pastor Lincoln E Montgomery; Dr Alicia Morris Thompson and a special community service award to Mr Michael Kinard.
The Dennis Family has presented an Annual Christmas Concert for 40 years which has become a greatly anticipated, exciting and popular community Christmas worship tradition.
They supported their parents who ‘adopted’ many others into the family circle...providing love, comfort, prayer and whatever was/is needed in times of crisis, sickness and grief.
The Dennis Family has recorded two cd’s. They were inducted into the Wichita Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Class of 2017. The words to their theme song, an original written by sister & Music Director, Cherrie Dennis Baldon states “He is our Father. We are His children. And He loves us all. And if we are His children, then we are His heirs which means we’re family bound together with love.”
The family consists of Annie Dennis Montgomery (Lincoln, deceased), Jerris Dennis Martin, Larry P. Dennis, Cherrie Dennis Baldon, Lori Dennis-Johnson (Terre), Jettie P. Dennis,III (Sheri), Donna Dennis Roberts (Wesley), Jacqueline Dennis Palmer (Kenneth) and Jason P. Dennis (Ashlie). They, along with their spouses, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews have and are following in the legacy of their precious parents’ footsteps by lifting up coming generations of servant leaders who passionately support the ministry in various ways.
To God be the Glory for the great things He has done. On Sunday December 8, 2024, they will minister the 41st year anniversary of The Dennis Family Christmas Concert at Tabernacle Bible Church 4pm.