Evangelist Denise Matthews

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ for All Nations, under the leadership of Pastors Willie and Roxanne Harper, Matthews has left the entertainment industry to focus on her ministry full time.

“It's hard to be a Christian and stay someplace where you're not supposed to be. In the entertainment field there's so much going on, so much evil. Entertainment sells lust. It's all over our televisions today, and I don't believe in it.” Matthews says firmly. “I don't believe that Christians are supposed to partake in anything that is of a nature that sells lust. The Bible speaks of it, so I have to stand by what God says. If I were to go back and make another film, that would be like taking a step down. I know the Word of God; I know my calling and that would be a step down. God said don't hold on to something that's not completely holy, so I'm not going to touch it. It's not right for me to curse, it's not right for me to kiss another man that doesn't belong to me, it's not right for me to take my clothes off.”

Matthews' health problems stemmed from years of drug abuse, she says.

Nearly five years ago, “I had kidney failure in both kidneys. I had a small stroke. I was having a heart attack. I had trouble breathing. I had lost my eyesight and I'd lost my hearing. They gave me three days to live. But God saved me. The only thing I could do was ask Jesus to help me. God saved my life. I asked Him, I said, 'Lord, if you do save my life, I won't turn back. I won't go back to Egypt. I'll serve you.'”

I had only three days and God heard my cry. He said, 'If you cry out with your voice and I hear you, I'll answer you.' It has to be a certain cry, that we're serious. He heard my cry and He saved me.” Matthews has recovered from her health crisis through a “beautiful kidney transplant by way of a miracle blessing by God. I see, I hear, and I press my way forward to become the best fisherman I can be.”