Ministry reaches out with dance

The Baptist Collegiate Ministry’s dancers and steppers will present Dance Explosion, an event designed to create excitement about the ministry and its fellowship on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Christian Collegiate Center next to McGuinn Hall.

Dance Explosion is free of charge and will give attendees the opportunity to experience the spiritual talents of BCM’s dance ministry, Total Praise.

According to Princess Matt, the chair of Dance Explosion, the focus of the event is to promote BCM to students on campus.

“I think God is using this [event] as a way to bring people into the BCM and have good clean fun,” Matt said.

Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Firehouse Subs, are sponsors of the affair and will provide complimentary meals after the show.

Total Praise will perform to the sounds of “Set the Atmosphere”, “The Battle is Not Yours”, “Glory” and “Blessed.”

Danielle Gand said the explosion would give her a chance to perform the routines that she and the group have been practicing since the middle of February.

“I used to dance at my home church so I knew it would be fun for me to do it here.” said Gand, 23, a sophomore pharmacy student from Los Angeles.

Matt was inspired to coordinate the event while driving in her car with a friend listening to the song “Blessed”. From that point on she began planning the Dance Explosion.

According to the Rev. Larry Hunt, the director of BCM, the dance ministry has not been active, but he believes the ministry’s new group, Total Praise, will begin a new era of activity.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” Hunt said. “There will be a lot of good energy at the Dance Explosion and it will be a success.”

Sheena Rolle, a Total Praise dancer, is expecting a crowd of over 100 people.

“Invitations have been sent to various churches, campus organizations and Greek organizations, but it is free and open to all,” Rolle said.

“I’m really excited about the performance, but I’m more concerned with how it’s going to affect and touch other people.”

Bobby Powell can be reached at bobbypowelljr@hotmail.com.