Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyrena Denniston.
Hi Cyrena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What shifted everything for me was realizing that my calling was never meant to stop with me.
After stepping into full-time missions in 2020, I began to notice a pattern that I couldn’t ignore. I was often one of the few African-American missionaries in many of the spaces I entered, yet I knew there were countless young leaders across the African diaspora who were called, gifted, and ready—but unseen, unsupported, or simply waiting for someone to believe in them. At the same time, I became increasingly aware of how many of the stories of those who had trailblazed missions within the African diaspora were not widely known or carried forward.
That realization stayed with me and continued to grow.
By the end of 2022, it became clear that what God was doing in my life was expanding. What began as personal obedience was becoming a calling to help raise and release others.
In February 2024, that calling became tangible with the launch of Black Fire Ministries. Our focus is to ignite, equip, and empower a new generation of mission leaders—what we call Catalysts—across the African diaspora for Global Gospel Transformation.
A Catalyst is a young leader who has said yes to the call of God and is committed to using their gifts to impact their community and the nations through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and creative outreach.
Today, we have 34 Catalysts representing 11 different nations, and what began as a personal conviction has grown into a global movement.
My role has been to faithfully steward what God has entrusted—helping to build both people and the foundation around them. This includes walking closely with leaders while also laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability, developing structures, and bringing alongside a Board and team who carry the same heart and vision so that this mission can grow far beyond any one individual.
Through initiatives like our Blaze Team mission trips and leadership development efforts, we are not just sending people—we are raising leaders who will carry the Gospel with boldness, depth, and cultural relevance across nations.
And at the heart of it all is the same message God spoke into my life—now entrusted to me to pour into others:
“I see you. I know God has a plan and purpose for your life. And I’m with you all the way.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve come to see that the kind of work I’m called to do was never meant to be.
There have been moments of navigating spaces where I didn’t always feel fully represented or understood, which required me to grow in confidence, clarity, and conviction in what I knew God had called me to carry.
There was also the challenge of stepping out to build something that didn’t yet exist. Launching Black Fire Ministries meant moving forward with a clear vision, but without a clear roadmap. At times, the weight of that vision felt overwhelming, especially knowing the potential impact and responsibility it carries.
I’ve also learned that raising leaders across nations requires patience and deep investment. Transformation takes time, and a big part of that is the development of community in a holistic way—spiritually, relationally, and practically.
And personally, one of the biggest lessons has been learning not to carry everything alone. In the early stages, I felt the responsibility to hold every piece—but over time, I’ve come to understand that sustainable leadership is built by developing others, trusting them, and building something that can grow beyond you.
Through it all, I’ve come to see that the challenges weren’t interruptions to the journey—they were part of the preparation for it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Black Fire Ministries?
Black Fire Ministries is a global missions movement focused on igniting, equipping, and empowering a new generation of diverse mission leaders across the African diaspora for Global Gospel Transformation.
At the center of our work are emerging leaders we call Catalysts—young men and women who sense a calling on their lives and are committed to impacting their communities and the nations through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and creative outreach.
The name Black Fire Ministries carries both spiritual and cultural significance. It is rooted in the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13–16, calling us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world—living lives that are active, visible, and transformative. “Fire” represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit—igniting passion, refining character, and empowering bold faith. “Black Fire” reflects a deeper kind of flame—one that carries both intensity and depth—leaders who absorb the light of Christ deeply and carry a sustained, internal burning that is not dependent on outward visibility, but on conviction and calling.
Part of what sets this work apart is our commitment to expressing the true breadth of the African diaspora. Too often, the African diaspora is reduced to a single image—limited to the assumption that it only reflects those with darker skin tones. In reality, it encompasses people of every shade, from the lightest to the darkest, across cultures, nations, and lived experiences. At Black Fire Ministries, we intentionally embody that full reality—demonstrating through our community that the African diaspora is not one look, but a global expression of diversity, identity, and calling.
What makes Black Fire Ministries distinct is our focus on both people and foundation. We don’t just create opportunities—we walk closely with leaders through mentorship, training, and the development of community in a holistic way—spiritually, relationally, and practically. At the same time, we are intentionally building the structure, partnerships, and leadership needed for this work to grow with sustainability and long-term impact.
A key part of this is creating pathways for leaders to step into missions on a global scale. For many of our Catalysts, this is their first opportunity to engage beyond their immediate context—not because they lack calling, but because they haven’t always had access to the right support, community, or pathways. When those barriers are removed, we see them step forward with clarity, confidence, and a deep sense of purpose.
We also carry a strong commitment to illuminating the often-overlooked legacy of African diaspora missions, helping this next generation understand that they are not starting from scratch—they are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before them.
Since launching in 2024, what began with just a few individuals has grown into a global community of 34 Catalysts representing 11 nations. Through initiatives like our Blaze Team mission trips, leadership development, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we are equipping and releasing leaders to carry the Gospel in culturally relevant ways across nations, in alignment with Acts 1:8—to be witnesses locally and to the ends of the earth.
What I’m most proud of is not just the growth, but the transformation. We consistently hear from communities, “Thank you for bringing leaders who look like us,” because representation expands belief. When people see someone with a similar background stepping into global missions, it helps them realize that they can too.
At its core, Black Fire Ministries exists to raise and release leaders who will multiply impact—so that what begins in one life doesn’t stop there, but spreads across communities, nations, and generations.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A commitment to servant leadership and simple obedience to God has been central to this journey.
My heart is to walk alongside the next generation of leaders as they begin to recognize their calling and grow into it. That perspective shapes how I lead, with a focus on people rather than just outcomes.
Faithfulness has also been essential. Many steps along the way didn’t come with full clarity, and I’ve had to keep moving forward, trusting God one step at a time. Staying consistent in those in-between seasons has been foundational.
And I carry a deep belief in people. When someone is seen, believed in, and invested in—sometimes before they fully see it themselves—it can change the trajectory of their life.
Those qualities together have shaped both the way I lead and the impact of the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackfireministries.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackfireministries
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackfireministry
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrenablackfire/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackFire-Podcast
