Jocelyn Richard, a 25 year veteran in dance ministry and founder of The
Praise Dance Life joined the Christian Arts Examiner in an exclusive interview to talk about the power of Praise Dance, "It is a visual expression of our great and majestic God who is real and alive," Richard explained. "Dance is powerful because is a non-verbal language and it is universal. It doesn't what your language, your background, your spiritual maturity. You can look at someone and understand the story they are telling. Dance can touch every mind and every heart."
Richard spoke about receiving Christ through a friend in College. It was during that time she discovered her purpose, "I asked God what he wanted me to do for Him, and He told me to dance for him. It was interesting that He said that because it was 1984 and there were very few churches that allowed dance in the church and embraced it, but He said that's what He wanted me to do, and that He would open the door."
Richard, a trained dancer from childhood spoke on dancing in excellence, "I don't want us to water it [praise dance] down and not pursue it in excellence. You never hear a musician say 'should I know how to read music?' or a singer say, 'does it really matter what key I'm on?'" Richard explained with a warm laugh. "Know that the Holy Spirit is not so limited. We can be used even if we point our feet."
Richard has been using the power of the internet to reach out to praise dancers around the world and will be offering an online class beginning Tuesday, October 16, 2012.
"I tell you how to improve on your dance ministry leadership based on biblical principles. If we understand what the Bible says about the place in dance should be then we will be comfortable and powerful," says Richard. "I tell you how to lead a team and how to lead in unity and successfully, choreography strategies, technique videos, and give you a DVD for you to have and share with your dance teams."
The training is accessible via telephone or your computer and will run each Tuesday and Thursday through October 30, 2012. There are five live classes that will be recorded for those not able to join the live calls. "Give me five weeks," Richard asks. "I will help you be equipped for the next level in your ministry."
For more information on Jocelyn Richard and The Praise Dance Life log onto:
www.thepraisedancelife.com. To register for the course log onto:
http://falldance101.eventbrite.comTo hear the interview log onto:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tamikahall/2012/10/11/jocelyn-richard-discusses-the-power-of-praise-dance
