Ashro Woman: Denise S.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Denise S. From Washington DC.
Can you say UNSTOPPABLE? With her husband of 29 years by her side, this happily married mother, pastor and Christian recording artist keeps on pushing the boundaries and following her callings.
Most recently, this led her to complete a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Howard University! Dr. Denise is also a worship leader and a YouTuber—with a divine purpose.
“I am in love with Jesus. I am His worshipper. I love the word of God. I love living the word of God. I love teaching the word of God.
I love praying for people.”
Denise’s faith shows through in her courage and the larger-than-life challenges she takes on. As the National Director of a nonprofit, Training for Healing Communities USA, Denise puts her faith into action.
She teaches congregations how to ‘come out of the four walls of the church and engage their communities”…how to “build relationships of healing, redemption and reconciliation.”
Denise’s home church lives out this principle “in families and communities impacted by crime and mass incarceration,” and they do so without judgment or stigmatization.
As a part of this mission, Denise has created biblical teaching and preaching videos that train and educate churches and communities about the atrocities of sex trafficking.
She is even working closely with the Department of Justice to bring community awareness. Go Denise! No matter what our walk in life has been, we have each had struggles and triumphs. Denise wants every Ashro woman to share her story often because testimonies heal.
| Name |
| Denise S. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Washington, DC |
| Which state do you live? |
| District of Columbia |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The Ashro woman is one that embraces achievements, builds understanding and awareness, and celebrates the rich history of her past, present and future generations of not only Black Women but minority Women who are the Descendants of Africa to include: African American, Afro-Austrailian, Afro-Latino, Afro-European, Afro-Bahamian, Afro-Barbadian, Afro-Caribbean, etc. and looks good while doing it! I believe that I embody her through unifying the community by promoting visibility, education, empowerment, contribution and achievement which currently positively impacts communities across the globe. |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am the National Director of Training for Healing Communities USA. We are a faith-based non-profit organization that trains congregations on coming out of the four walls of the church and engaging their communities building relationships of healing, redemption and reconciliation in families and communities impacted by crime and mass incarceration without judgment and stigmatization. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| I am a YouTuber and a Christian recording artist! I create music videos featuring songs that I have written and recorded. Also, biblical preaching/teaching videos, and videos highlighting the atrocities of sex trafficking in the United States which is one of the major works we train and educate churches and the community. I am working closely wth the Department of Justice in bringing community awareness. |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| I enjoy being with my family! I have been happily married for 29 years and we have two adult children who all play instruments, sing, and producing their own music. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| The person that has influence me the most is Bishop T.D. Jakes. Being a woman in ministry, it was his Woman Thou Art Loosed Conferences and teachings that gave me the courage to step out amongst men who do not believe women should be elders/pastors in the church and overcome their ridicule and sexism. I released my new book in May of 2021 on Christian Men Speak Up for Sexually Exploited Women and Children encouraging the men in the church to speak up for women and children by confronting men who work to exploit women and children vulnerable to sex trafficking, pornography, and prostitution. |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I love clothes and shoes. I mostly love dresses that are full and flowing, dresses that hugs my curves. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| Michelle Obama and Serita Jakes (wife of T.D. Jakes). |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| I dress up for church but I don’t like looking churchy if you know what I mean. The typical first lady dress is a suit, hat, and matching suits. Although, I do enjoy that style, because I am usually leading praise and worship or preaching in other venues, I need styles that are sporty and casual as well. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I am a woman of faith. I grow up as a “PK” (preacher’s kid). I recently completed by Doctorate of Ministry from Howard University. But, more importantly I am in love with Jesus. I am His worshiper. I love the word of God. I love living the word of God. I love teaching the word of God. I love praying for people. I have done numerous teachings on prayer and fasting. I lead a weekly noonday prayer call live on Healing Commuities FB group page. We receive prayer requests every week from people all over the world. |
| What do you loDo you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it?ve about fashion and style? |
| Yes. My husband and I are part of the pastoral team at Impact DMV Church in Washington, DC. What I love most about our church is that we are community focused. We strongly carry out the principles of Matthew 25. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| My husband and I have taught our children to have their own relationship with God. They were always involved in Sunday School or Childen’s church. They are active members of our church today. We have always had family prayer and take communion together. Our children know that their parents are a safe space. They can come and discuss anything with us at any time. Not only do they come but they bring their friends which we absolutely love. There has always been no less than 15-20 kids in my house because our son is Mr. Congeniality and has always had many friends. They both embody our heart for being involved in the community and helping the marginalized and the vulnerable. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| Yes |
| If yes, tell us about it. |
| My husband and I pastored Dominion Church of Washington for 10 years and now the past 4 years after we merged with our sister church and became Impact DMV church. My areas of ministry have been the women’s/young adult ministry, praise team, and corporate prayer.. |
| Your best advice? |
| Often share your stories of victories, as well as struggles and failures. Not only does it bring healing to others but to you as well since we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I wear headwraps and I self taught. I have my own style in how I wear them. I did send you photos of a previous headwraps. |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| No |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I’m a woman of faith. W/O faith it’s impossible to please God. I always trust and depend on God. He is my anchor, my rock. I can’t live w/o Him. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| I attend church. I love the WORD. We are in a Bible teaching church. You really grow and learn. I have been there over 35 years. I love it. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| By living it in front of them. Letting them see you pray, and teaching them how to pray and read the Bible. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| Your best advice? |
| Be yourself. An original, not a carbon copy. |
Thanks for inspiring us, Denise!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (3)
Sarah P.
Denise .S . This is an awesome living testimony.. May God continue to use you for his glory.. I too love praising the Lord and have been blessed to be a praise team leader ,minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ
Sarah P.
Denise .S . This is an awesome living testimony.. May God continue to use you for his glory.. I too love praising the Lord and have been blessed to be a praise team leader ,minister of the gospel ..I am not caught up on titles but I do honor those who are honorable .. I love living my life for the Lord ,May our God bless you above you can ask or think ..There’s one Lord, one faith and ,one baptism.. I also am non-denominational
Ashro
Amen! Thank you for sharing Sarah!