Norman Denler — Side by Side

Calling & Mission

I am dedicated to serving the communities that shaped my early life. My mission is to help people discover their true identity in Christ—fully forgiven and chosen—so that their lives are transformed, not by their own effort, but by Christ's work within them. Through relationships and holistic ministry, I want to see individuals, families, and entire communities changed by the reality their identity in Jesus.

Jeremiah 20:9 — "But if I say I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name, His word is in my heart like a burning fire, shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."

Early Years

My parents dedicated 30 years to missionary work in the Philippines with the Navigators. Born there, I moved back to the US at age 11. Despite living most of my life in America, I felt like a 'Third Culture Kid,' deeply connected to the Philippines but residing in the US. In college, I joined a mission trip back to the Philippines with my church. After nearly a decade away, it felt like home again. Although I considered returning as a missionary, God had other plans.

Background in Technology

I studied Computer Science at the University of Minnesota, which led me to Texas to pursue a career in technology. Over the course of nearly 30 years, I steadily advanced in the same company, moving from programmer to manager, and eventually becoming the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Operations. In this role, I oversaw operations in both Barcelona and India. My travels reignited my appreciation for different cultures. I believe God was preparing me for the next stage of my life, which involved returning to the Philippines.

Family Mission Trip

When my daughter showed interest in a mission trip to the Philippines at age 16, we decided to embark on the adventure as a family. God used this experience to reignite my passion for missions. We spent a day in Tondo, one of the poorest and most densely populated areas of Manila, where God coordinated a chance encounter with Pastor Ramil. He was incredible and guided us to engage in ministry work we never anticipated doing. Thanks to him, we returned four months later for another family mission trip.

Pastor Ramil welcomed us into his community, where we built relationships, provided food to the hungry, and conducted Bible studies for people living under bridges and in the dump, where individuals made a living by collecting garbage. Pastor Ramil served humbly at his church, which flooded with sewage each high tide. His love for the Tondo community was both tangible and contagious. These family mission trips were transformative for my children, instilling in them a passion for serving others by experiencing it firsthand. This is why I am enthusiastic about family mission trips and thrilled when families join us in ministry; I understand the profound impact it had on us and want to offer them the same experience.

A Turning Point

After that trip, my children wanted to move to the Philippines. I laughed it off, telling them it was unlikely. However, in 2011, I saw a book in my boss's office titled 'Doing Business in the Philippines.' Six months later, we relocated there. It's remarkable how God works in unexpected ways.

Upon arrival, we sought a place to volunteer and visited Kids International Ministries. When the school director, Dicky, heard my last name, she asked if I knew Gene Denler. When I told he that he was myh dad she was moved to tears. She and her husband had been discipled by my parents in the late 1960s and remembered me from when I was just 4 years old. Dicky is a pllar for the ministry. This encounter made me realize how God had orchestrated our return to the Philippines over many years.

Every now and then, I believe God gives us a glimpse of His work behind the scenes. As proof, I found a picture of my mom with Filipino women, and Dicky exclaimed, 'That's me!' when she saw it.

God Works in Difficult Times

After spending three years in the Philippines, we returned to the U.S. In 2017, I was asked by the KIDS board to lead the ministry. Despite the challenging times, I witnessed God working in incredible ways. It was a period of immense learning and faith, as I learned to trust that God would provide, even when it seemed impossible.

There were moments when I worried about finances, yet God always provided unexpectedly. It happened so often that it was clear it was His doing. I stopped trying to calculate finances because God's math works differently. I learned to expect surprises from God- this is true faith.

By 2019, we felt like we were finally in a good position and looking forward to 2020. Little did we know, our time of growth, along with significant challenges, was just beginning. As the world shut down and we could no longer host teams, our finances disappeared. Once again, it was an exercise in faith. I learned more about trusting God over the next two years than in my previous 55 years of life.

Words cannot describe the ways God provided. During the COVID pandemic, God dramatically expanded the ministry. It began with feeding people who told us they were hungry. In poor communities, if they don't have jobs, they don't have food. In 2020, we served 250,000 meals a week- over 5 million meals in 2020, and even more in 2021. From these efforts, other thriving ministries emerged- Youth Ministry, Family Ministry, and Church Connect all started in 2020.

Being in the 'Right' Place

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you felt you were exactly where you were meant to be? Returning to the Philippines and focusing on being a missionary, instead of earning money for a company, gave me this confidence. I witnessed God working in ways I had never experienced before.

However, I've realized it's not about being in the 'right' place; it's about what we do in the place we are. God had a plan all along. When I was working at Realpage, He knew exactly what He was doing by placing me in a technology company. The leadership and international experience I gained there became invaluable for running the ministry. I read a book titled "The Will of God as a Way of Life" that changed my perspective. It suggests that God's will isn't about our future location but about how we live in the present.

When we follow and obey Him, no matter where we are, we are in His will. Instead of agonizing over which door to choose and asking God for guidance, focus on doing what you know you should do where you are. Then, any door you choose will be His will. If it isn’t, He will close it.

Where from here?

Looking back, I see God's hand guiding me through every step. There were moments when I couldn't see His purpose, yet now it's clear that each experience was meaningful. From the innocence of a four-year-old playing while Dicky visited my mom, to enduring life's toughest challenges, I've come to understand I was always right where God intended.

I now strive to embrace every moment, good or bad, knowing He's in it all. Life's hardships have often driven me to cry out, "Why, God? Why don't you fix this?" Those dark nights of the soul taught me that, even when I couldn't grasp it, I was on the path He knew I needed. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunities He's provided and the incredible people He's placed around me—truly a gift.

I could speculate about what's next, where the ministry is headed, and what God might do, but ultimately, I just want to witness His work unfold. I long for a front row seat to watch His plans come to life.

Click picture for more description

My oldest daughter and her 4 boys.

My middle daughter with 5 kids (and a dog named Abby)

My two youngest.

She knows she is special!

I LOVE Sunsets!