Leadership and Life Skills
for becoming followers of Christ and leaders of men
His Handmaids
invites congregations to come, worship, and bow down. This liturgical
worship troupe is now beginning its 24th season! Handmaids and
Handmaids-In-Waiting range from age 7 through early 20s. More than
300 girls have been Handmaids over the years, representing many
denominations and churches. Girls must complete one year of training
as Handmaids-In-Waiting before participating in worship services. The
prerequisite for being a Handmaid is knowing Jesus, not being a
dancer. The placement of hands, feet, and body can be taught in a
manner to portray the Gospel message; but having the girls’ faces
radiate when they gaze into the eyes of God cannot be taught. The girls wear very simple white dresses and dance barefoot. The white symbolizes purity. Girls are taught it is the pure condition of the dancer’s heart which makes the troupe easily molded by God, allowing the message to travel from God’s heart to the onlooker. Dancing barefoot symbolizes standing on holy ground. (Exodus 3:5) His Handmaids presents God-inspired messages as the girls lead worship.
We know people learn about Jesus in different ways. Some hear and absorb the spoken word. Others pore over the scriptures and learn by reading. Many, however, learn by seeing. The handmaids bring God’s message through pictures created as the girls interpret music. We are privileged to hear from people who still recall the beautiful pictures they saw many years earlier which drew them closer to God.
Because of that, handmaids work countless hours on every detail from fingertips to feet . . . not so one might recognize an attempt at perfection, but rather so onlookers can worship and gaze upon the Lord without distraction. When God dovetails His spirit into the girl’s work, the message is God’s pure and simple breathtaking gift to you! Learn More....
That Dance Thing (TDT) begins its 14th year in September and continues to be a great and safe time for teens desiring the opportunity to develop and grow wholesome friendships. The Christian way of life (being followers of Christ) is uniquely taught as students experience the skills of leading and following while also learning traditional ballroom dance. This modest and fun TDT atmosphere has proved to be a place where the concepts of practical life skills and leadership move from being vague notions to everyday behavior. Ask other TDT parents. The stories are great.
In a clear, understandable but low profile way, the TDT curriculum points students to the scriptures. As the analogies of being followers of Christ are experienced on the dance floor, students have many “ah ha” moments when they really get it. New insights for an intimate personal relationship with Christ open doors for students as they continue to learn about a life of adventure under God’s trustworthy leadership. Etiquette, social graces, and basic courtesies are also woven into the unique and comprehensive TDT curriculum – one that is designed to help families equip teens to be followers of Christ. There is also a program for the summer months called TDT Lite. Learn More..
FootSteps is a program for adults that offers the opportunity for couples to get together in a social environment and enjoy learning to dance. This is an ad hoc program that can be presented when requested by a group representing 10 couples or more. Duration and cost can vary based on demand. Learn More...
Leadership training at the corporate level takes many forms, some of which are useful. By
using the effective tool of ballroom dance, The Dovetail Group's
Leadership Training is designed to be a team experience. Listening and
communication skills are a highlight of the training. In the
workplace, coworkers experience a high frequency of interaction and
close proximity on a daily basis. Consequently, the manner in which
they share common time and space together profoundly and directly affects
overall business success. Through the medium of dance, the training
experience is fun, sustainable, convenient, and affordable. Learn More...
Freedom....Inside and Out is a faith-based program designed to bring jail inmates closer to God, through the Leadership and Life Skills curriculum, and facilitate their transition to life outside jail. The ultimate goal is to help them live within the law, become productive citizens, and become followers of Jesus Christ.Programs are offered for both men and women inmates. All classes inside the jail are held on Tuesdays, and an evening class for recently released inmates is held on a periodic basis. Volunteers devote time to jail inmates and to the released inmates with assistance in job searches, transportation, prayerful support, and practical needs.
This is a unique program based on the belief that the only hope for most inmates locked into a cycle of incarceration is Jesus Christ. Ballroom dancing is not only an effective method for teaching Biblical understanding and leadership skills, but it is a very disarming method for dealing with inmates conditioned by a less refined and civil environment. Freedom...Inside and Out, a pilot program in Richmond, is the only program of its kind in the country. Learn More...
