Your Christian faith and values are communicated throughout this book. What would you say to someone
without strong Christian faith, hesitant to read it because of its message, to trust that the price has already
been paid by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross?
“Whether you are a person of faith, a corporate employee, or someone who is looking to change
careers or find a career after retirement, there are moments when you need some guidance in finding
your purpose. Through my memoir, I narrate the eventful moments of my life and reveal the valuable lessons
I have learned along the way. My Christian faith and values communicated in Running the Good Race
are about my personal experience and relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion, and not intended to
proselytize the reader. My hope is that you will find as much purpose and inspiration reading this book as
I did living it.”
There are so many examples of how your ‘open door policy’ directed your life. Describe a moment
when you doubted this policy.
“At the time it was difficult to reconcile how God had opened the door for Dorothy and me to go to
Venezuela and then experience the death of her parents in a tragic plane crash when returning from a
visit with us. We could have allowed our grief to move us away from God and return to the U.S., but we
decided we were in Venezuela for a purpose and chose to stay. Our decision to trust God and stay in
Venezuela changed the course of our lives and resulted in my flying as a mission pilot for New Tribes
Mission, followed by thirteen additional years overseas growing my career with Ford and fulfilling God’s
purpose.”
How different could your life have been if you were born fifty years later? What is your hope for
younger generations in such a fast-paced, technologically dependent world?
“Good question, difficult to answer. I know for sure many of the events I experienced would be restricted
if not impossible. Freedom of travel and living as an expatriate are more difficult today. Flying in the Amazon
as a mission pilot would not have been possible. Corporate policy today would not allow my experience
as a mission pilot to be the feature article in the company magazine. I would like to think that whatever
the impact of my being born fifty years later, God would still be in control and I would be fulfilling His
purpose. Life is not as simple today. Economic, social and political events of the world have changed
dramatically during the past fifty years and will continue to do so in the future. My hope for the younger
generation is that they pursue their dreams with a passion and not allow the busyness of life to divert
their focus. Each of us has a purpose and unique God-given abilities. Use them to the utmost, no matter
your station in life.”
How has your book been received by friends and family?
“The inspiration for my book began with my daughter encouraging me to write a memoir. Friends and
family have been fully supportive and big promoters of my book. We all agreed, sharing my life experiences
and how God directed my life would hopefully inspire others that faith can be turned into reality.”
Dennis is currently working on a second memoir recounting, “his twenty-eight year career as a charter
captain guiding fishing expeditions throughout the U.S., Central and South America, Mexico and the
Bahamas. Closer to home, much of my guiding was in and around Boca Grande, which I have included in
my book along with events, people and places. I am targeting the release of my new book by early June
2018.”
Dennis is best known locally for his business, True Blue Sport Fishing, guiding fishing expeditions throughout
the U.S. and Central and South America. Dennis and Dorothy are the grandparents of six and now live again in
their native Michigan.
Running The Good Race can be purchased on Amazon.com, or visit trueblueauthor.com.
Jonathan Herbert is an award-winning writer who grew up in Englewood. His novels,
Banyan Street and Silver King, have won multiple literary awards, including
recognition from the Paris Book Festival. You can follow him on
Twitter @herbertnovels or on the web at herbertnovels.com.
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July/August 2018 GASPARILLA ISLAND 59
/Amazon.com
/trueblueauthor.com
/herbertnovels.com