Rev. Denise L. Marikis

Senior Pastor

Read The Leader Within, a short article about Rev. Marikis.

Education:

• 1971 Graduate of Madison High School, Mansfield, Ohio
• 1976 Graduate of The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Arts Education
• May 1995 Graduated from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Masters of Divinity
  • Received the Gindlesperger Bible Award for "unusual competence in biblical studies"
  • May 1992 received the Merit Award and Scholarship

Appointments:

• 1993-1995 Intern at Main Street United Methodist Church, Mansfield, Ohio
• 1995-2003 Pastor at Crestline United Methodist Church, Crestline, Ohio
  • Built up youth group
  • Lead Disciple Bible Study—out of 120 active church members,90 members participated and completed Disciple Bible Study
  • Volunteer Chaplain at Med Central Hospital, Mansfield, Ohio
  • Participated in the Ministerial Association of Crestline during her tenure at Crestline UMC. Served as president twice. This was a very strong, active ministerial association.
• 2003-2010 Pastor at Church of the Cross United Methodist Church, Lexington, Ohio
  • Chaplain for the Lexington Police & Fire Departments
  • Addition & renovation to kitchen and fellowship hall
  • Developed Endowment fund
  • Implemented and led Youth Mission Trips
  • Helped start small group and prayer ministries
• 2010-Present Pastor at Gay Street United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio
  • Currently leading a Disciple III Bible Study
  • Participated in YSOP Mission Trip in Washington, DC, June 2011

Personal

 

Married

On September 6, 1975 Denise married Dr. Dennis Marikis. Dennis has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. For over thirty years he has had a private practice here in Mount Vernon and in Mansfield.

Three adult children

• Andrew (Andy) - graduated from Baldwin Wallace with a BA in English and Theatre Studies. Lives in Chicago and has a full time job that allows him to craft his passion for acting and theatre.
• Leah – graduated from Baldwin-Wallace with a BA in Studio Art. She continues to shape her love of painting and jewelry making while living in Cleveland and working in retail.
• Katherine (Katie) - lives in Columbus and works in retail. She is attending the Aveda Institute. Katie is engaged to Richard and plans to be married May of 2012.

Parents — Dick (deceased) & Lil Horst
Siblings — Dianne, Dirk and Darren

Favorite vacation spot is Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Denise enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking, photography, movies, travel, art galleries, museums and scrabble.

Reaction to being appointed to Gay Street UMC:

"I love being here. The love of Christ is evident in the many ways the congregation cares for one another, through worship and through mission work. I especially felt the caring and warmth of this congregation as we were welcomed into ministry here."