Born in Nanakuli, Hawaii Jeff moved to California in his teen years where he graduated from Sunset High School, studied martial arts and attended college at Cal-State Hayward. Denise also a resident of Hayward grew up as a rebellious teen and began a life of addiction and trouble at age 12. Jeff worked as a Ford Technician and Denise a cosmetologist. Jeff & Denise met in 1985 after both had been through a failed marriage (Jeff had one child from his previous marriage). They were married in 1986 and expecting their first child so they moved to Oroville, Ca to escape the drugs and raise their child in a "better place". To their surprise just shortly after moving they found that they financially were unable to meet the necessities and went back to selling drugs to make ends meet. In 1989 they were arrested for Possession for sale of Narcotics and burglery. Their crime became international news with headlines that read "Neighborhood Watch Meeting Couple Arrested after hosting meeting with stolen property in their possesion" The truth was not as reported nevertheless the two were facing a Ten year sentence. Knowing that if Denise went to prison she would attempt suicide the couple decided to flee to Canada. On their way they stopped to make some money for the rest of the journey and stopped in Washignton State. After nearly a year on the run, one night while deciding they could run no longer the two vowed to return to face the charges. While watching television that night they saw themselves broadcast on T.V's "Americas Most Wanted. " They were arrested shortly after and extradicted back to CA. While incarcerated Denise became self-mutilating when she found herself suffering from claustrophobia. With a desire to get out of her cell she attended a church meeting where she met an Aglow Minister who told her Jesus loved her. In desperation she accepted Him as her savior when a convicted murderer led her in the salvation prayer and although her husband thought she was crazy He too followed shortly after when He too met a minister who shared about this Jesus and Jeff had a visitation from God with a supernatural experience in his prison cell. Gods mercy was evident in their sentence and they received two 3 year sentences to run concurrent. Jeff did 13 months in prison while Denise did 2 years. After their release in 1993 the two reunited with their young children and found themselves in a local church where they quickly grew in the Lord and began serving in leadership. Jeff & Denise led worship, taught Sunday School, led a youth group and learned every part of ministry within the church. Denise attended an Aglow Prison Retreat and God called her into the minstry. She vowed to stay out of prison but His plans were to send her back as a minister. Jeff followed shortly after when He began leading a Prison Ministry for the county jails mens facility. Both have been actively involved ever since. In 1999 Jeff & Denise became licensed, ordained Pastors. They Pastored a growing community church in Rackerby, Ca while on the Pastoral Team of an Apostolic Assembly of God church in Live Oak, CA. Both have set their heart to follow God and share the Gospel with any who will have an ear to hear. They share their testimony of life in prison and life on the outside in churches, seminars and conferences. Both are anointed speakers and teachers of the Word of God and declare openly it's power to transform any life into one of an "overcomer."
Denise's prophetic words are often found on The Elijah List as well as others. They were featured in Charisma Magazine. In Nov. 2000 they were asked to give tesimony on live T.V. for Channel 25 in Bishop VA. The program was seen in 5 prisons and broadcast by internet as well as to an audience of 5 million. This too was evidence of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the program aired the same day as their original arrest only this time the headlines were America's Most Wanted now "Gods' Truly Blessed!!" God has been restoring and blessing them ever since and they are more than willing to share openly the many ways God had protected them and trained them and performed miracles in their lives. They desire to do for others what faithful ministers did for them which is simply to share that Jesus Christ loves each one and has a plan for our lives. Jesus Christ is the answer!!
We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony and we love not our life even to death. Rev.12:11 |
