The Sacred Work of Surrender
Dating with Marriage in Mind
Married for nearly twenty years and parents to three kids, Dennis and Emily Arensen’s story together began when they were students at Trinity International University – a season when they were both in the process of choosing a deeper walk with God.
It was intentional from the start. “We knew within a few months of dating that we were headed toward marriage,” said Dennis. “We talked about everything – kids, values, the kind of life we wanted to build.” They quickly realized they had the same core values. Keeping these shared values close to heart helped them make large life decisions, such as buying a first home on one income so Emily could stay home once they had kids. "People would say, 'You're so lucky,'" Dennis recalled, "but we planned intentionally and made sacrifices to make it happen."
A Close-Knit Family on Purpose
Though their children are in middle and high school now, you can easily find all five on the same couch! While challenging at times, 12 years in a 900-square-foot home shaped and strengthened their family dynamic. “Even when we moved to a bigger home, the kids would follow us from floor to floor.” Emily said. “They just wanted to be close.”
As teachers, Dennis and Emily have schedules that provide the opportunity for frequent family meals and quality time with their kids. The sporty nature of their family means they can be found doing all kinds of activities together, even ice-fishing! “The boys and I can be out on the lake for eight hours and they’ll still say, ‘Do we have to go home?’” Dennis laughed.
Choosing to have their kids attend public school, they see an opportunity to teach them what it means to be "in the world but not of the world" and to be a light to others. They are intentional to take advantage of small everyday moments to reinforce God’s goodness. “We wanted our kids to know they could talk to us about anything – faith, school, even hard things. That’s how you build trust,” said Dennis. No discussion topic was off limits, which made difficult conversations less uncomfortable over time. “It’s not just a nightly devotional – we just look for opportunities,” said Emily. “Faith has to be woven into the daily moments,” Dennis added. “That’s when it sinks in.”
Surrender of Control and Comfort
When the financial crisis of 2008 crashed the value of their home and delayed a move to something bigger, Dennis experienced a pivotal moment when striving and self-reliance caught up with him. “I had everything mapped out – the town, the house, the timing. I was micromanaging every detail.” After refinancing their home and hitting roadblock after roadblock, stress took over. “My hamstrings were so tight from anxiety, it hurt to walk. I hit rock bottom.”
Though focused on following the principles of leading a Godly life, Dennis learned he wasn’t personally including God in decisions along the way. He finally prayed, “Lord, move us wherever you want us and whenever you want us.” That surrender lifted the weight. “I didn’t have to control everything. If this was God’s will, I could trust Him with the outcome.” Two bible verses became anchors during that time:
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Even today, Dennis recites those at night when anxiety creeps in.
Belief in Heart and Mind
Emily shared two defining moments in her faith. The first came when she began college. She believed in her mind that Jesus was her savior as a child, but she didn’t truly live it out.“I knew the head knowledge growing up, but in college, I made it personal. I had to decide: Am I going to live this out or go my own way?” She intentionally chose a Christian college and devoted herself to quiet time and developing a relationship with Christ.
The second came through grief. “Between our two sons, I had three miscarriages. I had these plans, good plans, and suddenly, they weren’t happening.” She grieved deeply, but it became a time of spiritual growth. “I had to surrender the picture I had for our family and trust that God still had good for us – even if it didn’t look like what I imagined.” The difficult process of grief and surrender built her trust in God, and Proverbs 3:5-6 became her lifeline: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”. As she leaned into the hardship, she learned to trust Him with her pain.
Rather than isolating, she shared her pain with trusted friends and her church community, leaning on their strength when her own felt depleted. “I knew I didn’t have to pretend everything was okay,” she shared. Through that season, she learned to surrender her plans to God’s greater purpose, even when His ways didn’t make sense. “He’s still in control. He still loves me. And He still has good things for me – even when I can’t see them yet.”
Behind-the-Scenes Servant to Elder
“I’ve always been a behind-the-scenes guy,” Dennis admitted, preferring tasks like event setup and tear-down. He’s served in many capacities throughout the years and found an unexpected favorite in serving in the toddler room. These young children bring so much joy to the room, and when they miss their parents during service, Dennis prays for them and provides gentle comfort.
Becoming an elder pushed him beyond his comfort zone. “It was a step of obedience, not ease,” he said. “But it’s been such a blessing. I’ve learned from other elders and grown in my trust and reliance on God through shepherding.”
Dennis’s heart for global missions and staff-care runs deep. “I’m a missionary kid and a pastor’s kid,” he shared. “My parents – and all four of my grandparents – were missionaries.” His childhood was shaped by cross-cultural ministry, from Alaska to Kenya to the United Arab Emirates giving him a unique sensitivity to the needs of those in full-time ministry. “Ministry families often carry emotional strain beyond finances, and I want to make sure they’re supported – not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually too.”
Becoming an elder at Center Church opened a door for Dennis to reconnect deeply with his dad – a pastor and lifelong role model. “If I could look to anyone other than God, it would be my dad,” he said. “The way he served God, led our family and loved unconditionally is something I admire so much.” Shortly before his father passed away, Dennis was able to share meaningful conversations about church leadership, faith, and calling. “Becoming an elder gave us something special in common – it was a gift I didn’t expect, but will always treasure.”
Pray for the Arensens
The Arensen family has learned God is always faithful and in control. As they continue to grow in their faith journey, please pray for them in three specific areas:
Trust in God – That they continue to seek and trust God’s direction in all areas of life.
Their Marriage – That they stay connected and rooted in the Lord, especially as parenting demands shift.
Their Kids – That the seeds of faith planted in their kids would continue to grow as they step into independence.
If you’ve experienced the pain of miscarriage and would like to talk with someone at Center Church, we’re here for you. Please feel free to reach out to us at care@centerchurch.live.
