Tips for Obtaining
Kingdom Connections
More Than Just Dancers...
Event Calendar
To Be Spiritually Trained,
Learned and Knowledgeable
for the Sake of the Kingdom
Meditation of the Heart:
My Devotion
On the Move: Dance Event Report
SEARCH
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. (Psalm 139:23)
* Not only should you ask God to search your heart, but you need to search God, His words, His ways, His truth, His
righteousness, His love, mercy and grace, His forgiveness - continually asking Him what is required of you to get
divinely connected.
* When God shows you you (your heart), respond accordingly. The only way for healing, deliverance, and correction
to take place, along with receiving divine instruction is for God to show you your heart and make needed changes
accordingly. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and
chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing
your mind and attitude]. (Revelation 3:19 Amplified)
SEEK
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you
seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
* We all know that tomorrow is not promised, therefore, seek God right now! Seek ye the LORD while He may be
found, call ye upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
* When you seek something, you make a diligent effort to find that which you are looking for, NEVER giving up.
Remember the children’s game- HIDE & GO SEEK? Well you didn’t seek the person hiding standing in the same
place; you looked everywhere until you found the very last person. This is how we should seek out the things of God,
daily seeking all things from Him until our very last breath. Amen!
PRAY
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)
* We all know the scripture “faith without works is dead,“ but how many of us really believe that and operate in an
unprecedented faith, with the utmost belief in Jehovah that He hears our prayers and will answer them? Not
answering the way we want Him to, but answering in His own time with His own best answer for our life. The Message
Bible says it best: Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently
sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do
them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a
corpse on your hands (James 2:20) I ask one question: are you sitting back or are you working the word so it works
for you? Are you in a steadfast posture of face-down so that you can hear and receive all that our Great God has for
your life?
* Your prayers unto YHWH must be done with a heart like Christ. Whatever Daddy says, then that is what you must
do! YES LORD!!!
FIND
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to
help us when we need it. (Hebrews 4:16)
* Find like-minded individuals, ministries, and churches, in your local area, nearby cities, and in your state. There
are many ways of doing this, a few being: 1) Look up local churches in the yellow pages/on-line and simply inquire, 2)
Log onto www.christiandance.com and look for dance ministries in your state, and REGISTER your dance ministry so
others can find you as well, 3) Search back issues of Company Keepers - a WONDERFUL resource for getting
connected (HINT, HINT: June 2006), 4) Search local or nearby Christian dance schools, theater companies, drama
companies, etc., 5) JOIN a local, national or international network, and last but not least 6) If there are absolutely
none of the local or nearby options available for your divine Kingdom connection, start your own ministry/network but
get CONNECTED by joining a national/international community for other sacred artists. Where there is no counsel,
the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14 NKJV)
* Find many other sacred artists, organizations, entrepreneurs, etc., on any search engine. For example, log onto
www.ask.com and put in ‘liturgical dance’ or ‘praise dance’ and get hundreds of responses to search out.
The above Hebrews verse makes it plain, when you boldly go to God, you will find grace to help you in getting divinely
connected.
Keep your spirit in line with Him daily and He will never let you down!
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10
by Sally B. Reynolds
up and coming Worship Arts ministries, have been misunderstood and misjudged, especially when is was not as
accepted as it is today. We’ve had to endure some pain and criticism! NOW is our time to be blessed. Worship Arts is
evolving every single day. Know that this is the time to reap the harvest of all the planting we’ve done over the years!
This is our season to be blessed! God is in the blessing business and business is good!
In my experience, I’ve learned that God will give you the desires of your heart if you trust in Him. Prov. 3:5-6 says,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to thine own understanding, acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and He
shall direct thy path!" Don’t be afraid of what’s ahead, embrace the challenges, weather the storms and hold on to
God’s unchanging hand. We tend to look at what’s going on around us right now, but God knows what’s ahead. Let's
not get so buried in all the concerts and conferences that we don’t step out on faith in other areas of our lives as well.
We will move full force with a new idea for praise dance, choreography and garments, but what about starting up that
new business?
As ministers…we have an obligation to keep our ears open to hear what God is saying to us. A great preacher once
said, no matter what you’re going through it’s okay, as long as you can still hear, you are going to be victorious. I know
what you see in front of you, but what did God say to you? Your circumstance may say, “We’ve been turned down twice
for the loan,” but what did God say to you? “College is too expensive for my child...” What did God say to you? Keep
listening to what God has to say about your situation and watch what He will do!
Start your own business, go back to school, buy that new house, go to the car lot today and pick out the color you want
for that new vehicle. When you step out on faith, it seems as if you’re out there alone, but God is ALWAYS there!
It’s time to dream again! When was the last time you became giddy over what God is going to do next for you? Go
ahead and dance your way into your miracle! God is going to honor your faithfulness to Him, your family, your church,
your ministry and to you. He will bless His people with such fervor and grace as you minister under His anointing. As a
result of your obedience, everything connected to you will be blessed.
Do you ever wonder how doors are always flying open, waiting for you to walk in? It’s because the favor of God is all
over you. That’s why YOUR motives must be pure and your worship must be in spirit and in truth. John 4:23 says,
"But the hour cometh, and NOW is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seeketh such to worship him."
Now is the time to worship Him. Worship is not based upon your circumstances- when you’re having a good day, when
you feel like it or when you think it’s the appropriate time in church. A true worshipper is one that has a relationship with
the Father; it’s a natural reaction to worship Him. The time is now for God’s ministers to stand up and be counted. We
are not just ministers in dance, worship artists, praise dancers, mime experts, etc., we are also Entrepreneurs,
Corporate Executives, School Teachers, Professors, Bus Drivers, Managers, Accountants, Church Staff Executives, and
much more! We are His children, and we are highly favored of God!
Choreographer of Silent Praise adult dance team. She also serves as Director and Overseer of 3 youth and young adult dance teams, Majestic Praise
(ages 3-11), MOD Squad (ages 12 and up) and Rakad (ages 14 and above) She's currently working on launching her new dance company 'On Pointe
Productions' in 2006.
endorse events listed below. Please be prayerful and led of the Lord when selecting and attending ministry
gatherings. Please contact event organizer with any questions or for more information regarding these events.
6:00pm – 10:00 pm
Leadership Seminar
with Minister Paulette Rolle-Alesnik & Joseph A. Alesnik
Hosted by: Passion Ministries International
Agape Life Fellowship, Apostle Linda Thomas
1722 B Mount Vernon Road, Vidalia, GA 30474
Phone: (912) 245-3683
SEMINAR TOPICS:
* THE KINGDOM MINDSET OF AN “EFFECTIVE” LEADER!
* BECOMING AN “EFFECTIVE” LEADER!
* FINDING GRANT MONEY FOR MINISTRY NEEDS!
* FINDING PROPERTY FOR MINISTRY / BUSINESS!
* OPERATING YOUR MINISTRY AS A PROPER BUSINESS!
* HOW & WHEN TO INCORPORATE YOUR MINISTRY!
* FREE COLOR PRINTER and COPIES FOR MINISTRY!
(There is no cost but registration is required!)
To register or for MORE info. (912) 245-3683
leadershipseminar@daretodance.org or Ebony at passionministries@msn.com
***OPEN TO ALL LEADERS & PASTORS***
November 8th - 11th
Express YOUR Worship Creative Arts Conference 2006 (EWY)
Tampa, Florida
Host: Dare 2 Dance / Paulette Rolle-Alesnik
website: www.daretodance.org
e-mail: eywregristration@daretodance.org
Phone: (813) 377-4177
November 9th - 12th
Shachah Ministries International Tambourine, Dance, & Flag Instruction
Hosts: Rev. & Mrs. Michael Yap
Blue Mountain Christian Retreat - New Ringgold, PA
website: www.shachah.org
LEARNED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE
FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM
by LaVetta Celise Williams
accountable to for what they’re learning and being trained to do for our Lord and Saviour? Better yet, if you are being trained, who is your
trainer and who is training them? Even more so, are you being trained at all?
seriousness in order for us to go from glory to glory. In order to
become more like Christ, we must be a in a position where we are
being trained and taught TRUTH! It all begins with God, our
ultimate Leader!
Francis Frangipane wrote…To be spiritually trained will cost us.
We must make life choices, spend time in spiritual development,
and give ourselves in unfolding surrender to learning the glorious
ways of God. The result is our transformation. As Jesus put it:
"A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been
fully trained, will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40).
As members of this most privileged tribe of Levi, the Levites were
the teachers of the law. (Deut. 33:10; 2 Chronicles 17:8-9, 30:22,
35:3)
The book of Nehemiah says it best: Now the Levites-Jeshua, Bani,
Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita,
Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah-instructed the people who
were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God
and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read,
helping the people understand each passage…(Nehemiah 8:7-13)
dance clothes from a dance store, wave a flag before God’s people – even to the point where we can’t explain why we wear certain
garments, what certain colors mean, nor why we wave flags, banners and streamers in our sanctuaries. Up to the point where we can’t
give a biblical explanation on why we dance. If it is the Law (the Holy Book of our God) telling us that our sacred art – the ministry of dance
is ordained by God, who will help the people understand?
Come now sons & daughters of the Most High, I have traveled to five states and out of the country once the past few months teaching and
ministering as I answer the call of this sacred art, liturgical dance and all that it entails to be a minister of dance. I’ve repeatedly noticed
that God’s people are seriously “untrained.” I’m not talking about trained in the technical aspect of dance per se, I’m talking about ALL
areas of sacred artistry: garments, pageantry, colors and symbols based on scripture, the Word of God, knowledge and intense study of
the Tribe of Levi, finances, Church 101, etc. I’m not blaming this entirely on the sacred artists either. I sincerely believe part of the problem
lies in the fact that there are many who just don’t know where to get required training. Where can I go to learn about the “sacred art of dance
ministry” in particular, along with other spiritual aspects of my life to become more like Daddy-God?
I believe this is one of the main reasons why Jesus gave our Editor, Rekesha Pittman, the idea for this online magazine. It is a source,
guide, training manual and learning tool to assist those in the sacred arts arena. Not just in dance, but in ALL areas where we can become
holistic and balanced individuals in this gift that our Saviour has given us – this wondrous gift that comes without repentance. All of the
regular staff writers here at Company Keepers can vouch for needed training. Although all of us are current and former leaders/directors of
ministries, as well as frequently travel and teach other sacred artists, we make it a point to, at a minimum, attend a national/international
conference/workshop to become more thoroughly trained no less than once per year. What good would we be if we were always teaching
others but never being taught?
The word “law” in these verses means direction and instruction. Oh what wondrous words of El Olam (Everlasting God). Not a law to keep
you in bondage– but living, breathing and obeying God’s instructions and directions so that we will be happy and sustained in all things –
having success. WWOOWW! Such beautiful affirmation from Daddy. Secondly, you can become more knowledgeable by submitting with
your whole heart to a leader/mentor/teacher/Pastor. Find a place of worship where you’re being taught the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth. Not some watered down, sugar-coated, make you feel good, ear tickling truth – but truth even when you don’t feel like hearing
it. Truth like horrible-tasting medicine - it may not taste good going down, but it sure is good for you.
Francis Frangipane also stated: "Leaders Never Take the Place of Christ." Of course, the leader whom God temporarily uses to train you
never takes the place of Christ; the Lord just uses the individual to equip you in a certain area. So, once you see a leader you appreciate
and respect, submit to that leader as unto the Lord, looking to Christ Himself to minister and train you through that man or woman of God.
As it is written: "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for
the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Remember that your goal is not to follow men, but to be trained and equipped so you too can function in the "work of service." This work of
service is your ministry. You must seek out your training. I’ve listed below five schools/programs as well as a few upcoming events in
2007 that will assist you in your training. I’m sure there are many others and this list isn’t exhaustive of many programs for the sacred artist
of today. SEARCH – SEEK – PRAY – FIND!
FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY www.ficu.edu
Established in 1978, FICU is committed to the education of persons preparing for service in Christian ministry. FICU is a distance learning
program to assist individuals in fulfilling the calling God has placed upon their lives. FICU was founded to be a non-denominational and
inter-denominational university for the Body of Christ.
FICU Offers:
Associate of Biblical Studies
Bachelor and Master Degree of Religious Fine Arts: Emphasis in Religious Dance
Bachelor and Master Degree of Religious Fine Arts: Emphasis in Religious Drama
Doctor of Ministry
Emphasis in Sacred Music or Religious Drama or Religious Dance or Religious Communications
Accreditation: FICU is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education.
WORSHIP ARTS CONSERVATORY www.worshiparts.org
Vivien Hibbert, President and author of a powerful book entitled “Prophetic Worship.” The Worship Arts Conservatory was commissioned in
1999 as an on-line school to aid worship ministers and Christian artists pursue a deeper knowledge of God while learning to use their art
for His glory.
WAC Offers:
Flagship Associate in Worship Arts (A.W.A.) degree program and the Independent Study program.
Online courses in: Biblical Studies (BS), Religious Arts (RA), Religious Studies (RS), and Theological Studies (TS).
The Worship Arts Conservatory is not accredited by any secular governing board; it is our aim to set high standards and to strive for
academic excellence.
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY (CLU) www.cluonline.com
CLU has teamed up with Virtue Dance Academy (dominiondancer.com/degree.html and virtue.kingdomofdance.com) in Nassau,
Bahamas, to offer you an Associate or Bachelor's degree in Christian Arts with a Major in Dance. This high quality online program offers
training in Christian Dance, Ballet, Performance Theatre, Artistic Theatre, Teaching Certification and much more.
CLU Offers:
Christian Arts Concentration -- Applied toward a Degree in Christian Arts
This major offers a tri-fold focus of classes in arts, theology, philosophy and theory.
Subjects covered include: Mime, drama, dance, theatre arts, painting, sculpture, sign, folk dance (Israeli folk), Greek theatre,
theatre in the Middle Ages, art and culture, creative worship dance, illustrated sermon, prophetic gestures and more.
Worldwide Accreditation Commission of Christian Educational Institutions accredits this degree. CLU is not listed with the U.S.
Department of Education.
GREATER ALLEN CATHEDRAL www.allencathedral.org
GAC Offers:
CATHEDRAL BIBLE INSTITUTE The School of Music, Praise and Worship
Cathedral Bible Institute is dedicated to providing a Biblically-sound training program that leads one to Christ -- to learn Christ,
to grow in Christ and to manifest Christ.
WORSHIP IN DANCE COURSES Classes begin January 2007
In this ten-month course, the class will explore the Word of God through movement, sounds and five senses. The students will
learn to embody their prayers, praise, worship and meditation; as well as insights on temple living as it relates to keeping the body
in good health and fitness will be shared. Students will also gain a full understanding of what liturgical dance in worship is and its
many functions in the church, community, the nation and the world. The Word Became Flesh-John 1:14 (3 credits per semester)
Accreditation Status: The Cathedral Bible Institute has an "Articulation Agreement" with the Nyack College of New York, and is seeking
accreditation with the New York State Education Department, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and
the Accrediting Commission International of Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries.
You may also contact Rev. Eyesha Marable at natldancenet@aol.com. Register online by visiting www.allencathedral.org, click on CBI,
print the registration form and mail to Rev. Marable: 291 Elmwynd Dr., Orange, NJ 07050.
There is a tuition fee of $350 (This fee includes the cost of mailing DVD's for the class.) Make checks payable to: Greater Allen Cathedral,
CBI- Dance.
EAGLES INTERNATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE www.pamelarutherford.org
Established by Dr. Pamela Rutherford Hardy
*Minister Danese Turner has done a synopsis of this program below. Also- visit Dr. Hardy’s website to get additional information.
UPCOMING EVENTS - 2007
National Liturgical Dance Network Southern Region Conference July 20-21
(Hosts: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) Columbia, South Carolina
Visit www.natldancenetga.org, www.lybenchristiandance.com or www.sacpraise.org.
EXALTATION June / July 2007 presented by Christian Assembly.
Visit www.exaltationohio.com or www.christianassembly.com for more information.
Lamar Boschman's 21st Anniversary International Worship Institute “The Next Generation” July 3-6
Gaylord Texan & Resort Center, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Visit www.worshipinstitute.com
Life & Truth Ministries, Pastor David and First Lady Minister Lynn Bullock present “The Wedding Feast” September 6-9
Visit www.life-truth.com for more information.
Rain Rein Reign Ministries Worship in Dance Conference & Outreach October 2007.
Visit www.rainreinreign.com for more information and continue reading Company Keepers!
Gathering of the Eagles Leadership Summit November 1-3
Visit www.pamelarutherford.org for more information.
Saints let us not be a generation that does not know our Lord nor His great works as scripture states in Judges 2:10, ”When all that
generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had
done for Israel.” (NKJV)
Instead, let us be as the prophet Malachi (whose name means Angel of the Lord) spoke of the Levites, "And you will know that I have sent
you this admonition so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and
peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his
mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. For the lips of a
priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty."
(Malachi 2:4-7 NIV). AMEN!! May every sacred artist strive daily to be a messenger of the Lord Almighty!
Shalom ooVaracha (Peace & Blessings)
LaVetta
nationally & internationally teaching & ministering at conferences, workshops, Bible Studies, etc., on the Biblical aspect of praise & worship, liturgical dance,
pageantry (flags, banners, streamers) and all that it entails to be a sacred arts minister. She is a member of Destiny World Church & the former Dance Director;
current staff writer and Assistant Editor of Company Keepers, National Liturgical Dance Network (NLDN) administrative assistant and member of the International
Dance Commission & Sacred Dance Guild. She is one of the founders of the NLDN-GA Chapter and former Administrative Assistant. She’s currently enrolled in
the Eagles International Training Institute pursuing licensing as a minister of dance. She mentors 10 ministries in California, Connecticut, Florida, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia & Texas. Contact her at destinedtodance@hotmail.com.
my heart be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Eagles International Training Institute (EITI)
by Danese Turner
Jamesia, Jahlisa, and De'ja. Danese is the dance ministry leader of REJOICE! The Children's Dance Ministry, and serves as the Team Lead for the Youth
Worship Purpose at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, GA where Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus is the Senior Pastor. Rev. Don Ezell serves as Youth
Pastor. Danese is also the Ministry Leader of Spirit and Truth Adult Dance Ministry, member of the International Dance Commission and Christian Dance
Fellowship. She is a recent graduate of the inaugural class of the EITI. Contact her at 404-668-3012.
Past Issues:
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
September 2005
August 2005
June 2005
July 2005
May 2005
way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while."
Romans 15:24b
Sherry Traylor - Consulting Editor (Dance Director- Zoe Expressions Dance Ministry)
LaVetta C. Williams - Assistant Editor (Founder- Dancing Before the King Ministries)
Machelle Lewis - Staff Writer (Assistant- Zoe Expressions Dance Ministry)
Robin Deane - Staff Writer (Worship Arts Director- West Angeles / Founder- The Victory Praise Dancers)
Sally Reynolds - Staff Writer (Fine Arts Director- Covenant Worship Center Inglewood)
