Page 84 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT

Ablaze Dance

Crew Lagos

In 2012, during a time of prayer, Using ideas from revelation’s from what needs to get done, using a
three young men, dancers and God and through research, their concept they call being ‘youthfully
friends, were seeking a way in self-choreographed performances useful’. They edit their own videos,
which their lives could offer a have taken place in streets, take their pictures and do their
solution to the many challenges churches and on international productions all by themselves.
they saw around them. In their platforms. They were even They keep themselves busy doing
environment they witnessed many instrumental in the peaceful things needed to support their
young people spending their time elections campaign in Kenya. families and pay the bills. They
in dance clubs and out on the Against all odds they continue their have more than five graduates,
street looking for money. They felt efforts of Dancegelism, to spread they have 4 CEOs and they have
they could do something different. the good news of Christ Jesus to members enrolling into various
as many as they can. activities this year. Dance has
As they prayed, much like the taught them many things beyond
Apostles of old, they each saw the Even when nobody knew them and dance, one for which is to always
same thing in the spirit... something no church wanted to adopt them learn to let God lead, as you keep
burning. This scared them at first, and even a close friend advised moving forward in the race with no
but they connected it to an identity them to change their name, saying distractions.
and purpose of the group they that the word ABLAZE sounded Among other things, Ablaze
were forming and captured it in satanic. Even when they were Dance Crew exist to raise end
their name: Ablaze Dance Crew. low on cash and often tempted to time warriors (particularly youths
They made the decision to burn be called nice names, or belong and young adults) through the
and shine and spread the gospel to certain groups, get into cults instrument of dance. Warriors who
through dance, based on Matt or gangs, or cyber crime (yahoo would use their God given talents
5:14 ‘ye are the light of the world.’ yahoo)... they stuck to it through to be the light of the world.
They seek, with the help of the prayer, trusting God and being
Holy Spirit, to passionately be the consistent, and they have seen It’s impressive to see the focus
light of God wherever they go to the rewards. The desire to build and determination among young
minister, to impact lives, spread up a generation of God’s burning people, who are often more easily
hope, transform souls and liberate army that would stand strong caught up in things of the world. To
- and set the place ablaze for for God has been stronger than encounter a people determined to
God. The call this Dancegelism - what they see in the world. Sadly, see God shine through them, no
a portmanteau they were given of some of their members did give matter the personal cost to them.
‘Dance Evangelism’. in to the temptation and leave the In a world that is often so fickle
group, but others remained and and flaky, we thank God for them
Drawn from different backgrounds yet others joined them, even from and our prayer is that God would
and family, the young men have other faith backgrounds. Ablaze continue to sustain and strengthen
pushed to grow their craft and lovingly share their faith and have them to help them see their course
improve their skills, both on and seen their brothers follow Jesus as faithfully through till the end.
off the dance floor. From an initial a result.
3, Ablaze Dance Crew has grown See facebook profile here:
to a team of 25 young men and The group members have found https://www.facebook.com/
women aged between 19-25. innovative ways to get done ablaze.dc

84 HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA