Queen Bee

Denise was born in Norfolk to parents, who would eventually divorce when she was a young girl. Denise’s earliest memories of her mother were separate from Denise’s father. Denise always had a dream of having a loving family–a husband, children, a beautiful home. Television shows like Leave it to Beaver episodes made an impression on Denise. 

 

She knew one thing she wanted for certain–to be loved, without limits. These black and white images through a glass TV screen were images of hope for Denise–love was out there. And maybe family was the answer. A loving family, like the ones she watched through the glass screen. Well, divorce, poverty, and the loss of her mother to a stroke at the age of 13 shattered Denise’s dreams of giving and receiving that love she longed for.

 

Denise was then raised within drug culture by a young, abusive family member. Eventually, Denise and Denise’s younger sister moved out on their own, wanting to escape the dream-now-turned-nightmare they were living.

 

After having 3 children of her own, Denise found herself living on the margins, in a drug-stricken Norfolk. The longing for love seemed to be a child’s fairy tale. After several robberies and what seemed like a continuous cycle of sadness, Denise came to a crossroad–do something positive with her life or give up on life altogether?

 

It was at this time in her life that a ministry connected to a local church, knocked on her door. The ministry workers asked if she was interested in spiritual things. She said that she wasn’t. They then told her about programs they were offering members of her community. 

 

Denise’s ears perked up when they mentioned a learning center with a GED program. Denise enrolled in the ministry’s GED program. Her goal was to get her GED, not to change her beliefs from Islam to Christianity. 

 

After some time, countless spiritual conversations, where Denise was able to dig deep and ask questions and challenge the weaknesses of the Christian faith, Denise was convinced that Jesus’s love was real. And that God’s plan to bring her into a loving relationship with him was the answer to her lifelong pursuit of unlimited love. Love that didn’t run out. Love that would sacrifice for her, even if it meant sacrificing His life. Denise then threw herself into serving with that same ministry. She helped others get their GED and also oversaw tutoring and mentoring programs for local children and their families.

 

Denise attended and served in the local church which was connected to this ministry that had so effectively connected with her, across cultural differences and barriers. That’s where Denise met Felton…