The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ST AMBROSE Parish has a need for a community centre. Church members have held several initiatives to raise funds, including the recent Praise Fest presented by the church’s liturgical dance ministry.

The group held this event to contribute to the establishment of a new space.
The Praise Fest “A Variety Show” was held Saturday at St John’s Auditorium. The group ministered the gospel in dance with songs like Shackles, Waging War, Spiritual Warfare, Awesome, Karamu, Burn It Down and Days of Elijah.

St Ambrose dance team was also accompanied by dance teams from Golden Gates, Holy Cross, and Holy Trinity.
“We have a need in our church. We need a community centre and most of our members have contributed to this cause. This event was the dance group’s contribution. Different groups in the church have been assisting with this multipurpose effort.”

“Presently we do our activities in the church. However the space is limited and it does not allow us to conduct other activities. We have a lot of activities that we do that are not conducive to the space in the church,” said Claudette Nixon, leader of the liturgical ministry.
With additional space, the group will be able to practice and train more, she said.
The liturgical dance ministry started in the church in 2002. Ms Nixon said the young women involved in the group are honing their skills in dance and becoming very passionate about spreading the word of God through the art form.

“Dance is something that young people gravitate toward because of our culture. Spreading the word of God through dance is also very prevalent in our country. So we started this dance team so that the young people can develop in Christ.

“We have seen dance change their lives. What we try to do is get them to see this is not just dance this is a ministry and we have a very serious job to do. We are there to call people to Christ,” she told Tribune Religion.

The dance team seeks to take the word of God outside of the four walls of the church. One of their long term goals is to have the team travel to spread the word of God.
Ms Nixon said the team has performed at various churches in Nassau, but hope to branch out to the Family Islands and international countries.

“If we can bring someone to accept Jesus Christ as their lord every service then that means much to us. We have done something good. We hope to always be inspirational and bring them to know that Jesus is the lord of our lives,” she said.