Reverend Denise W. Hopkins comes from a long line of preachers. Her grandfather was Senior Pastor of Allen Chapel Baptist Church, Greenville NC, the church she grew up in as a child. She has two aunts, an uncle and a niece who are preachers.

In 1986 Rev. Hopkins and her husband Ernest were assigned to Ft. Jackson, SC. They joined the Daniel Circle Chapel family and became active members of the congregation. Rev. Hopkins worked diligently at expanding the church’s outreach ministry in the local community.

Rev. Hopkins was humble but not surprise when God called her into the ministry in February 1993. She prayerfully accepted the calling; knowing that God would direct her path. She furthered her development and preparation by enrolling in Benedict College where she began undergraduate work focusing on religious studies. After her husband Ernest retired from the military, they moved to Charleston SC. While there, Rev. Hopkins continued to pursue her education by enrolling in the Cummins Theological Seminary located in Ladson, SC. She joined the Lord of the Harvest Ministry where she was ordained as an Evangelist by the Senior Pastor Steven Williams. As an Evangelist one of her greatest commitments was providing spiritual counseling, prayer and moral support to young unwed mothers residing at the Florence Crittenton Home in Summerville, SC.

In 1996 Rev. Hopkins and her husband moved to Miami, Florida. They both were employed by the Miami-Dade County School Board. They joined Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church. While there, Rev. Hopkins was ordained as a Minister by Senior Pastor Bishop C. Malone. She continued her outreach ministry at a local homeless shelter for young unwed mothers.

In 2006 God gave Rev. Hopkins another assignment which she gladly accepted. She became Assistant Pastor of The Living Word of Jesus Christ Nondenominational Church Miami, FL where she preacher and taught God’s word.

In June 2011 Rev. Hopkins and her husband retired from the Miami- Dade County School Board and moved back to Columbia, SC. Fulfilling a promise to her mentor Chaplain (retired) Diana James, Rev. Hopkins served as Assistant Pastor of New Jerusalem Nondenominational Church. While there she preached, taught, and managed all business aspects of the church.

In 2014 with God’s blessing, Rev Hopkins returned to Daniel Circle Chapel. She is a member of the Ministerial team under the leadership of Chaplain (Pastor) A. Bright. Rev. Hopkins currently conducts Tuesday mid-day Bible Study.

Rev. Hopkins and her husband Ernest have 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.