Pastor Denise Bethea is a humble woman of God who was raised in what they called uptown Washington, D.C. She is a widow, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and author, motivational speaker and preacher. She has a rich heritage coming from a family of great licensed and ordained ministers. Starting with her parents, the beloved Late Reverend Robert L. Elmore and Reverend Hortense A. Elmore. Her first teachers. It was evident that the Lord had a purpose and a plan for her life….as the “apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

Pastor Bethea was raised as “A Preacher’s Kid” and grew up in the church. The Lord has graced her throughout her journey to serve in ministry in several capacities which would not only prepare her but also lead her down that same path to preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ. When asked this, she would tell you she never once perceived herself to be serving in this capacity and actually ran from the call for a little while until she found herself yielding to God, and accepted the call on her life.

Pastor Bethea was a devoted wife to her husband of 41 years before his passing in January 2019 and mother to her one and only young adult, 27 year old son. Pastor Bethea recently retired from 37 years and 2 months of Federal Service in March 2021 and is looking forward to this New Season in her life and what's next in her New Journey.  Pastor Bethea has graduated with honors from the Grace & Mercy Weight-Aside Ministries and Bible College Seminary – School of Evangelism/ Breakthrough Bible College Seminary where Apostle Lillie M. Grier and Drs. Alvin and Apostle Dr. Loretta Rich are the Founders and Apostle Dr. Loretta Rich, the Bible College Professor. Pastor Denise has kept her feet to the fire! and her eyes like a flint! She received her License and Ordination on July 27, 2012, and currently, holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies while in pursuit of her Master’s and Doctoral Degree. Pastor Bethea has served in several capacities in the church such as; the Ministerial Staff, the Chairman and Director of the Dance Ministries, Ministry Lead for the Young Adult Ministry (YAM), and serving as the Adult Sunday School Teacher, and as Assistant Pastor at her previous church, where she was elevated in ministry in February 2017 to Assistant Pastor and recently elevated through Grace and Mercy Ministry Weight-aside Bible College Seminary to Pastor June 25, 2017.  She is the Founder of Jewels N’ AbunDance Outreach Ministries to serve people in the surrounding communities in the DMV. Also,  Jewels is a place where “Kingdom-Minded People of God connect to share their resources,  mentor young ladies, sponsor programs, workshops, conferences, retreats, spirit and fun-filled events. She is the Director of Jewels Mime & Prophetic Dance Ministry, Gems Dance and Mentor Outreach Program where the young and young at heart can learn to minister in dance as well as the CEO of Women of Worth (WOW) EmPowerment and Worship EnCounter, where youth, young ladies, and adult women can attend collectively together to be Enriched, Encouraged, Enlightened, Engaged, and Empowered to Live on Purpose! Pastor Denise  has served as the Maryland State Coordinator, the Executive Committee Leader for The Hospitality Committee, Armor-bearer to the Anointed Founder Pastor Sabrina McKenzie who is the Founder of “The Largest Dance Network on the Planet” – The International Dance Commission, IDC and The Dancing Preachers International, DPI, Conference. She currently serves on the Executive Committee  as the Global Engagement Coordinator for that organization.  Pastor Denise has also served and spread The Gospel of Jesus Christ to incarcerated women in The Prince Georges County Correctional Facility in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, through the “Good News” Prison Outreach Ministry through The Burning Lights Outreach Prison Ministry Team. The Late Elder Leon Swanson was the Founder of that Awesome Outreach Ministry. She is one - who Loves and serves the Lord as well as His People. She gives all credit and all Glory to God for the Great things He has and is doing in her life.

 

 

Her favorite scriptures: 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ~ Matthew 6:33

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

~ Luke 4:18-19