''Great dancers are not great because of their technique,
they are great because of their passion!''
Martha Graham
As we headed west across the panhandle of Florida, we made our mandatory stop once again at the home of dear friends in Panama City. What joy to find out that our visit coincided with a very spirit-filled performance! Their daughter's dance company was in town, and we were about to experience the passionate poise of Ballet Magnificat!
Ballet Magnificat is a professional Christian dance company based in Jackson, Mississippi. Their mission is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ through dance, drama, and witness to audiences all around the country. The passionate group of young people arrived ready to share their amazing talent and deliver their message of faith. We were quickly drawn to the enthusiastic energy of Stacy and her dance companions as they transformed Hiland Park Baptist Church into their theatrical stage.
Their performance of ''Deliver Us'' told the story of God's redemptive love through the freeing of the Israelites from slavery of Egypt,
... and ultimately freeing us all from the slavery of sin through His sacrifice on the cross.
It was pure joy to see these talented young people share this uplifting message of God's love for us.
Ballet Magnificat's trainee program offers a chance for these Gen Zs to pursue, practice and perfect one of their passions ... dance. Many take a ''gap'' year or two after college to grow as a performer and as a Christian. A lucky few will be able to make ballet their career. But for the majority, the Ballet Magnificat experience is a chance to develop new friendships, learn some important life lessons, and glorify God through their talent before they settle into that future career that will better help pay the rent.
One amazing life lesson came the following day when they performed for a very precious audience at a special-needs elementary school in Panama City. Their performance brought the message of God's love and acceptance to the many physically and mentally challenged children in the audience.
I don't know if the performers noticed as they were concentrating on their lifts,
their kicks,
... and their twirls,
but the faces of the children reflected the joy of the message that was being presented before them. I heard a number of teachers and assistants comment on how grateful they were to see their students embrace the positive energy that was being shared with them.
But the real ''miracles'' happened after the performance.
As the performers spread out to greet the students,
shy smiles emerged,
... along with new dance moves.
Joy burst forth,
... as new friendships were formed.
One young girl who very rarely attempts to stand up from her wheelchair was ready to join in the dance ... all because of the spirit-fulled encouragement and acceptance shown to her by the Ballet Magnificat dancers.Ballet Magnificat's spirit-filled dancers give witness as they spread the message of God's love through their professional performances. We are, once again, so grateful to be in the right place at the right time to experience the reflection of God's love through the smiles, encouragement ... and passionate poise of Ballet Magnificat!
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