Evangelist Denise Matthews

Matthews shed her stage name and took on a new identity, having been reborn through her newfound faith. She discovered salvation and hope “after years of child abuse, molestation, drugs and alcoholic parents ... stardom, fame, game, men, fortune, music, cocaine. Vanity, a small screen, Jesus the bigger screen.”

Matthews' evangelical fellowship is called Pure Heart Ministries, symbolizing her spiritual rebirth and the renewed purity of her soul. The evangelist says she thanks God every day for saving her from herself and giving her a new life.

“Miraculously, Denise stands on the Word of God, preaching the Gospel,” Matthews proclaims. “Who would have thought He would have chosen me to use my testimony of suffering in and out of the Body (of Christ) to minister to a broken people. Thank you Jesus, for a new heart, body, soul, mind and Your Spirit. So from highway to byway, I will follow Him and delight to please Him through my service to others.”

During a recent interview from her home in Fremont, CA., Matthews spoke about her life now and her mission to help others by sharing her story of redemption. She draws an analogy between her struggle for salvation and the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt.

Matthews says the message she tries to impart, as an evangelist, is “not to go back to Egypt, to stay away from Egypt, stay away from the place that is killing you. Do not be afraid to worship Jesus Christ, to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and know you're a child of God, and to endure. Know that God is with you and that He will never leave you.”

The evangelist has a special message for young people about resisting peer pressure and standing steadfast in their beliefs.

“There's so much temptation. We're in the last days. (My Advice is) to stay equipped, fellowship and get close to people that are strong and read the Word for themselves. Without reading the Word for yourself, you don't really know what the will of God is. It's really important to stay in fellowship and prayer and fasting. And stand up for the truth no matter what.”