We recently connected with Denise Dobbin and have shared our conversation below.

Denise , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

I presently serve as the Executive Pastor of the Redeeming Love Missionary. We recently had a community day. We welcomed new tenants from a new apartment complex built near our church. We had activities for the children, young adults and adults. We are also looking in ways of feeding our community through food pantries, food giveaways, gift cards and other outreach resources. Also, serving the community through health fairs, which include blood drives and health screenings

Denise , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Denise Smith Dobbin and I am the Executive Pastor of Redeeming Love Missionary Baptist Church

I’m a native of Plymouth, North Carolina, and attended Washington County Schools and received her degree in Business Administration from Hardbarger Business College.

On October 14, 2000, I married the love of her life, Deacon Emory C. Dobbin

I have served Redeeming Love for over 20 years in many capacities, including the women’s ministry, ushering, and singing on the Choir and the Praise Team, to name a few.

In December 2019, I accepted her call into the ministry under the Leadership of Rev. Dr. Mark T. Gibson. In March of 2022, I was ordained as Reverend. In June of 2022, I was named the Executive Pastor of Redeeming Love.

I am a Wife, Sister, Aunt, friend, nurturer, and prayer warrior are just some of the titles she holds. She leads and guides the Ministerial staff with her loving and patient nature.

If you listen closely, you can hear her humming or singing her favorite song, “Because of Who You Are” Her favorite scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

October of 2021 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no idea that something was growing in my body. I felt okay.
But had scheduled my annual mammogram screening. I fully expected everything to be fine, just like it had been so many times before. This time is wasn’t the case. When the technician finished the exam and said let me ask the doctor to review and then can back an did additional images, I knew something was wrong. I kept telling myself everything was alright but in my heart I knew my life was getting ready to change and it did. I had to take a biopsy to make sure what they were seeing was correct and it was. I cried and cried and praying the answer would turnout differently that what the doctors was saying but if was confirmed. You go through so many “what ifs” scenarios but it didn’t change the final results. I was blessed, the doctors caught it earlier enough that I could have the surgery and just do radiation. I had seen so many woman around me take this journey but now it was my time. I learned to persevere even through one of the darkest time in my life. What that does not destroy you will make you stronger. I realized if you never encounter the valleys, you will not appreciate the mountains. Now I encourage women of all ages that I cross paths with make sure you schedule your annual exams they are so important. And by me going through the journey, I can be a tour guide and a source of encouragement to others

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

There are times we look at a situation and what we see it actually true. We have to dig deeper and look at the situation from all sides and then still take time to think is through to come up with the right truth. Have you ever misjudged someone by what you looked at on the outside. We so easily make quick decisions by the appearance of the situation or the person. I misjudged a situation that was nothing like what I thought. I came to a conclusion without all of the information. Never judge a book by the cover. Always open it and read it first. Find out more information

Contact Info:

• Instagram: nstagram.com/denise.dobbin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denise.dobbin.798

Image Credits

Not Applicable