G.I.T.

Down and Dance: Breakdancing at SELAH On the night of October 20th, Crowns SELAH Chapel was delightfully treated to a St. Paul breakdancing group through an inner city church ministry.

To say the talent of four individuals blessed SELAH would be an understatement. Brought in through Crowns Global Impact Team, these four individuals representing the Central Missions Church shared a bit of their personal testimonies, all unique and deeply influential. Their testimonies ranged from using dance to release pain from past losses to giving back to the community. I interviewed one of these individuals personally after the event. Philip or Mr. Slim told the student body that hed been break dancing since 1992, he reaffirmed that hed actually been dancing since 1988. I asked him how long the Central Missions Church had been with their ministry. He said theyd been up and running for roughly 3 years and that the ministry and flourished, bu t was still in the works. All the glitches arent worked out, as with any ministry, he stated. Were well on the way though. Gods working even in our re-boot. Philip has been a part of the Central Missions Church for going on 3 years. I was actu ally related to a member of the church, he explained, [They] slowly introduced me to the ministry going on at the church and I one day volunteered to teach [breakdancing], Of the ministry Philip said: This ministry [breakdancing] is great for reaching into others lives that know Christ already and showing how Gods uses our talents to work for Him, he shared, As for those who dont know Christ, it shows them that Christ cares about what we love to do, and can use some of those aspects of our lives to glorify Him and help others. As for the group, he said it really doesnt take any qualifications to get into a dancing ministry. You just have to have passion. You need it to do this as a ministry. Otherwise it just turns into performing. Dancers need godly inspiration to do this well---and in accordance to Christs will.

We also talked about dancing in the church. I told him that many denominations banned dancing and saw that it was unfitting for Christians and posed dangers to spirituality a nd innocence. He answered: I think this isnt the right approach. Ministry is different, depending on Gods plan in an individuals heart and life, he finished, Dancing is a form of worship. It glorifies God in a way that connects with certain people. Not everyone can

dance, just like not everyone can write or sing. It takes a certain heart, and like I said, a certain passion and calling. I asked him what the Central Missions Churchs view on dancing in the Old Testament (and the Old Testament being fulfilled) was. Philip had to think a minute and then said, We [as a ministry] feel that the scripture is scripture. The Old Testament was fulfilled, but it is still relevant. Its structure. Once we have structure, we can have direction for our lives, an d for our ministry. Without the Old Testament, wed be a pack of wild animals --at least I would be! Miriam danced in the Exodus, and David danced before the ark--and there was dancing at the wedding in Cana--why shouldnt the church dance? Philips advice to aspiring dancers is Learn everything possible! Dance is endless, and its an art, which takes practice. Start while youre young and youll go far. But, most importantly, understand where youre passion comes from. If its not from God and its not His calling on your life, then dont do it as a ministry. Do it as a pass -time. But if Gods called you to do this--then get out there and dance!

The GIT team would like to remind the student body to keep your eyes and ears tuned for info on Spookfest--its a treat for everyone, and theyre expecting God to do some pretty awesome stuff.