Check Out Deneshia Leonard’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deneshia Leonard.

Hi Deneshia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Deneshia, and I am the author of I Refuse To Lose and I’m also the Founder and Senior Pastor of On The Wall Ministries, Inc. in Decatur, Ga. My journey began from a place of hurt, betrayal, and purpose.

People I once admired and looked up to had distanced themselves from me. I felt lost and incomplete without a support system. I was left alone and confused. While I was dealing with the pain of rejection and betrayal, I was confronted with another nightmare.

I lost my mother to breast cancer. It was incredibly difficult for me to witness my mother’s health decline, and there was nothing I could do to prevent it from worsening. Fifteen months after my mother’s passing, I experienced another devastating loss when my younger brother was killed.

At my lowest point, during the darkest moments of my life, I felt crushed, heartbroken, betrayed, and rejected.
It seemed as if all hope was gone. I believed it was over. It felt like I was in
a losing season, having lost so much.

I felt like, I could not bounce back; it was the end for me, but I heard God speak to me and say, “I’M NOT DONE WITH
YOU YET, IT’S NOT OVER!” In that moment, I found enough strength to RISE and declare, “I REFUSE TO LOSE!”

I decided to transform my pain into purpose and I picked up a pen to write a book and share my story, hoping to inspire others who are enduring challenging times to find their own path to victory.

My book “I Refuse to Lose” conveys the unstoppable human spirit within each of us. This book is for those who have had the trials of their life knock them down. For those who had a reason to give up but didn’t. This is a book for the fighter, the one who, when the chips were down, had the heart and the strength to dust themselves off and try again. It is for every person who has had something that they worked hard for end in tragedy.

In the pages of the book, the reader will find stories of triumph, gain an understanding of how to conquer, and learn to make use of endurance. If they are facing hard times in their personal life, or their business, this book will inspire them and give them the tools they need to overcome all opposition and rise in victory.

“I Refuse to Lose” is not just about winning in the traditional sense; it is about winning in life by holding on to faith and never submitting to the pressures that seek to break us. Winning in life, as this book sees it, is about developing an unbeatable spirit that refuses to accept defeat, no matter how intimidating the journey may be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth for me. There were times when I felt weary and ready to give up. I looked around and didn’t see much progress.

I found myself drifting into a dangerous comfort zone, comfortable with pain, disappointment, and even failure. What had happened to me had begun to define me. I wasn’t just going through something; I was starting to live in it.

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced in my life was overcoming the pressure of life’s uncertainties. I had to juggle taking care of my mother, who was battling a terminal illness, while also leading a new church during a pandemic. To top it off, I had to deal with criticism from people who questioned my vision.

I felt like the weight of the world was crushing me. Rejection came unexpectedly, and I was disappointed by the people I usually sought approval from, only to be met with rejection. I felt utterly abandoned.

I was struggling not only in my personal life but also in my leadership role. As a new and young pastor, I was expected to be strong, to support others, and to lead with confidence. However, I was battling exhaustion, questioning my abilities, and feeling lonely. The weight of trying to be everything for everyone became overwhelming, and in a moment of quiet desperation, I cried out to God for guidance and strength.

In that moment, I felt a renewed sense of peace. God gave me the strength to endure each challenge and gently reminded me that I was never truly alone.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an author and pastor, known for a ministry characterized by transparency and compassion. This ministry combines spiritual integrity with a resolute commitment to seeing God’s work through to its completion.

My dedication lies in helping individuals fully embrace their assignments and and accomplish the goals that they have set for their lives.

I take great pride in serving my community. It’s truly where my heart is. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about turning compassion into action and showing love through meaningful service.

Through my outreach groups, OTW Cares and M&M House of Hope, we strive to make a real difference in people’s lives. We provide food and clothing to those experiencing homelessness, support our youth with school supplies and enriching activities, and spend time with elderly residents in nursing homes, playing games, sharing moments of joy, and offering essential hygiene items.

For me, service isn’t just something I do, it’s a reflection of who I am and the impact I hope to leave on the world.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I’ve always been someone who finds purpose in helping others. From an early age, I developed a genuine passion for service and making a positive impact in people’s lives. As a teenager, I spent my summers volunteering at a local youth center, where I had the opportunity to teach and build meaningful connections with younger children.

I’ve always made it a priority to be a positive role model, someone they can look up to and feel comfortable around. My goal has never been just to teach, but to create a safe and uplifting space where they can grow, express themselves, and stay on a positive path.

Whether serving as a mentor or simply a big sister, I strive to be someone they can trust by offering a listening ear, encouragement, and support when they need it most. Being able to pour into their lives in this way is something that truly meant a lot to me.

Pricing:

• I Refuse To Lose Book $14.95

Contact Info:

• Website: deneshialeonard.com
• Instagram: Deneshia Leonard
• Facebook: Deneshia Leonard
• Youtube: Deneshia Leonard
• Other: https://a.co/d/00cscgOg

Image Credits
Brandon Rashad, Fortune Iheanacho