Denni Arli was born in Surabaya, Indonesia. He spent most of his childhood in Surabaya. He is the second of three brothers.

His father is a medical doctor and a professor in Psychology at University of Surabaya (UBAYA). His mother is a Beautician in Surabaya. He started to know God more and got involved in a ministry during his study at Petra Christian High School in Surabaya. In 1989 he joined Bethany Church in Manyar, Surabaya as a choir member led by Daniel Prajogo (currently a Pastor at Bethany International Church in Melbourne). Through that ministry, he began to be involved more in Praise and Worship ministry at Youth Bethany Surabaya with Pastor Daniel, followed by Pastor Agus Gunawan as a Youth Leader. God opened up the door for him to serve as Worship Leader in Bethany. Along with his friends he co-produced two christian albums "Song of the Islands" (1996) and "God's Love" (1998).

Denni finished his Undergraduate degree in Architecture in 1996 from Petra Christian University and Advance Diploma in Foreign Business Language in 1998 from University of Surabaya (UBAYA). During his study at Petra University he met Lilian Priscilla who was also studying architecture, later they both served at Indian International Fellowship at Surabaya while they were still studying and ministering their own churches.

In 1999, God gave him the opportunity to continue his Master Degree in International Business at St. Mary's University of MN, in Winona, USA.

In August 19, 2000. Denni returned to Surabaya to marry Lilian, who will later continue her Post-Graduate study in Architecture at University of Minnesota. After Denni finished his study (2000), he served as a worship leader at Christian in Action University Church, while Lilian actively involved in International Student Friendship ministry at University of Minnesota. In March 12, 2003. God gave them Isaac Arli, who was born in the middle of winter season in Minneapolis.

After completing their study and work in Minneapolis, God gave them passion to return to Indonesia. They decided to live in Jakarta. Denni worked as a Marketing Director in a Private Company and Lilian worked as an Architect at Australian based Architecture firm in Jakarta. They both joined Bethany Church with Pastor Abraham Alex. Denni was highly involved in Praise and Worship and Youth Ministry in Bethany.

In 2006, God gave this family a surprise, Denni got accepted for PhD program in marketing at University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney Australia. Pursuing an academic career while serving the Lord has been his deepest passion since his youth. In July 2006, the whole family moved to Sydney and started a new life in Sydney. By God's grace Lilian is currently working as an Architect in a Architectural Firm in Sydney and Denni works as a Research Assistant and Casual Lecture at UNSW while studying his PhD program. God has brought them to meet Pastor Agus Gunawan and helped him with a ministry at God's Dwelling Place Sydney and he was assigned as a Co-Pastor. Denni and Lilian believe that life is a journey, where we need to totally surrender to His will because the best is yet to come.