Dr. Arthur “Rich” Denning serves as the Lead Instructor of the Building Construction Technology program at Wayne Community College. He is the pastor of Zion Church in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and serves as an adjunct professor at Heritage Bible College and Holmes Bible College.
Known to his students simply as “Dr. D.,” he is passionate about church revitalization, leadership development, and ministering to individuals and families facing life’s most difficult challenges. He is blessed with a supportive wife and five wonderful children.
Dr. D. is the author of Ministry Convergence: Five Principles of Maximum Leadership Effectiveness and Sacred Stones: From Addiction’s Hidden Pain to Holy Purpose.
He is also known as “The SawDust Shepherd,” Dr. D. has a lifelong love for carpentry and woodworking. His handcrafted projects reflect the same craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail that characterize his ministry. A selection of his woodworking creations is available for purchase through this website.
Having experienced both failure and redemption firsthand, Dr. D. believes that every season of life—even the most painful—contains gifts that God can use for His glory. He often says that the people who have influenced him most are those whose lives bear the scars of adversity. Through his own journey, he has discovered that helping others find healing has deepened his own walk with Christ.
His ministry is marked by a practical, down-to-earth approach to biblical truth. He finds great joy in seeing lives transformed as people recognize their need for Christ, repent of sin, grow in faith, and experience the freedom found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. His desire is to meet people where they are and faithfully guide them toward God’s purpose for their lives.
Throughout his career, Dr. D. has served people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, although most of his ministry has been in eastern North Carolina. Before entering full-time ministry, he spent many years working alongside his dad in the family land surveying and construction business. That experience continues to shape both his teaching and his practical approach to leadership and ministry.
His professional experience includes twenty-seven years as a pastor, four years as a high school teacher, several years as a college instructor, and two years in social work. Together, these experiences have given him a unique perspective on leadership, education, counseling, and caring for people in times of crisis.
Whether teaching in the classroom, preaching from the pulpit, building in the workshop, or encouraging someone through a difficult season, Dr. D.’s mission remains the same: to help people discover God’s purpose, strengthen the local church, and experience the transforming power of the gospel.
“Helping people build stronger lives, stronger churches, and stronger communities—one life at a time.”
Education and Certification
A.A., Emmanuel University
B.A., Emmanuel University
M.Div., Erskine Theological Seminary
D.Min., Regent University
Certified Bible Specialist, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Certified Growth Coach, Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
Certified Life Focus Coach, Lifeforming Leadership Coaching
Certified Instructor, National Center for Construction and Educational Research (NCCER)
Certified Teacher, Evangelical Training Association (ETA)
Clinic Certified Teacher-Trainer, Evangelism Explosion International
Ordained Minister, International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC)