Shelly Denmark

Shelly Denmark has served as the Director of Leadership Programs for Crave since July 2019. Describing the value of Crave, Shelly says “In what other communities out there can we find such life-altering opportunities? I am convinced that the Crave community is unique and anointed by the presence of the living God. It’s more than a community—it’s intentional, it’s family, it’s one we chose to be part of rather than one we ended up in. And it’s one that is filled with love—love that not only comforts and supports, but also challenges one another to be and to do better.”

Prior to joining the Crave family, Shelly served as an associate pastor for 3 1/2 years at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, located in the heart of downtown. She has also directed the Summer Mission Intern Program for the FL Conference of The United Methodist Church, which equipped and sent young adults to work with children in under-served communities.

Shelly received her Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Prior to attending seminary, she served for 4 years as the Director of Children’s Ministry at Anona United Methodist Church in Largo, FL.

Shelly is a former elementary school teacher, and she continues to enjoy teaching people of all ages. Her passions include gathering people from various circles of connection in order to collaborate together, building meaningful relationships across degrees of difference by learning from one another, and creating spaces where people can safely and authentically be themselves in order to grow.

She enjoys spending time in her garden and at the beach, yoga, cooking, reading, dance parties, and sharing meals with interesting people. She is married to Rev. Jad Denmark, and they have two sons, a daughter, and a dog named Daisy.