About Us

Dennis and Denie Heppner are Canadians who have been in the Philippines as missionaries since 1987. They raised their four older children there, and now have a little Filipino daughter, 5-year-old Emma Rose, a special blessing from God!

Dennis has served as a missionary evangelist all over Asia. He is a teacher, past director of LIFESCHOOLS of ministry, founder of DEL (Developing Effective Leaders), superintendent of West Asia, and pastor of four congregations. He is one of the founding pastors of a growing fellowship, Church of God Makati, located in the heart of Metro Manila.

Denie began Gentle Hands Ministry, a birthing clinic for mothers and babies from society’s poorest classes. About 6,000 babies have been born through the ministry of Gentle Hands, with the good news of Jesus’ love presented to their mothers.

In 2005, Charity Heppner-Graff, their oldest daughter, and her husband Evan, took over the administration of Gentle Hands. The birthing center was phased out and it is now an accredited child-rescue center and ministers healing to sick, malnourished, or orphaned babies and children. Many of these children find their forever families through the work of Gentle Hands.