Praise and Worship Leaders across the Nation-Part 3

  Rev.
Stephanie Butler

Rev. Stephanie Butler is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal

Church. She holds undergraduate degrees in Journalism (B.S.) and Dance

(B.A.) from the University of Maryland, and post graduate (M.A.Th.) in

Theology from the United Theological College, W.I. Prior to her transition

from professional dance performance and corporate consulting, to full

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time

ministry 11 years ago. Author of “My Body Is the Temple.” As Consultant on

Missions & Outreach for the 16th Episcopal District and Episcopal Staff Mem-

ber, Rev. Stephanie coordinates a variety of public events, mission initiatives, evangelism

strategies, and liturgical dance ministries throughout the District, which covers Jamaica, Haiti,

Dominican Republic, Windward Islands, London/Holland, Suriname

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Guyana. Her role leads

her to poverty

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stricken inner cities, rural villages, orphanages, mental institutions, hospitals and

prisons that cross many cultures, religions, and traditions. Rev. Butler has personally assisted in

planting 5 new congregations during her 7

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year tenure in the Caribbean. She is on the executive

staff of the International Dance Commission (IDC) as the Missions Coordinator.

                            

Paulette Rolle-Alesnik

Paulette is a licensed minister. She has been in leadership under Pastors

Randy & Paula White of Without Walls International Church (WWIC) for the

past 15 years. She has directed their lyrical dance department for 12yrs. She

currently contracts with the dance department at WWIC as well as Tampa Bay

Performance Arts Center. She has appeared on TBN, CTN, ABC, and Daystar

and has graced the stage with gospel greats such as: Bishop Randy & Paula White,

Bishop T.D. Jakes, Billy Graham (dance director for Billy Graham’s

Kidz Gig, FL), Celine Deion, Kirk Franklin, Deleon Richards Sheffield among others. She has

choreographed for organizations and major productions such as Tampa Bay Performance Arts

Center, S.T.A.R Media Ministry (Meet God), I Follow the Beat of the Drum, Billy Graham’s

Kidz Gig, FL.

                                       Dr. Ann Higgins

 Dr Ann Higgins is a Co

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Pastor of Creative Christian Arts Ministries Inter-

national. Dr. Ann Peterson

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Higgins has been working in the area of the

performing Arts for over thirty (30) years. Dr. Higgins started a dance

school in 1987 Exercise by Faith, Fitness and Dance Studies, the first

Christian Dance Studio in the Bahamas. Hundreds of children continue to

pass through the doors of that school. Over 85 Dance Leaders from differ-

ent detonations are now leading and teaching others in Church. A Christian

Dance Fellowship was also formed by Dr. Higgins. She was Co

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coordinator of Christian Dance Fellowship Bahamas (CDFB) and a

member of the International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF). Dr. Higgins along with her

husband Henry, are the co

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coordinators of Caribbean Christian Dance Network (CCDN) a

conference that draws dancers from around the world together every year. Dr. Higgins has

written two books Born to Dance and The Purpose of the Dance.

                                                    

                             



                               Apostle Elizabeth Hairston

Apostle Hairston is the Chairman for the Dance Advi-

sory Council. Today, the vast majority of liturgical

dancers and instructors can trace back to Apostle

Elizabeth Hairston, who began teaching and ministering

in dance in churches around the world and in her own

school of dance in Columbus, Ohio in the mid 1970's.

Apostle Hairston, who was also a close friend of Alvin Ailey of Harlem ,

New York , began teaching her eldest daughter, Minster Constance

McIntyre, at the early age of four.

Most recently in the summer of 2004, President George W. Bush encouraged the citizens of Florida to recognize Apostle Hairston as an Ambassador as well as being the first female

Apostle to be ordained under Bishop Bill Hamon.

                                  

  Apostle Sabrina McKenzie

                                 

           After creating one of the nation’s most celebrated liturgical dance ministries now enjoying international acclaim, Sabrina McKenzie, a forerunner in the art and ministry of spiritual dance is ready to take her unique brand of ministry to the next level, by establishing a church focused on the arts. On March 10, 2011 McKenzie was ordained and installed as a pastor and will oversee The Epic World Center,  a non-denominational and non-traditional church she established, which will be located in Decatur, Georgia, a community once nationally recognized as a thriving epicenter of African American affluence. Her goal is to help the community rebound by incorporating her diverse background and unique approach to addressing the various needs of the people in the community-beginning with creative expression.
Her International Dance Commission (IDC) organization has grown from 40 members to over 1,000 members worldwide. She recently completed the Chaplains program at Emory Hospital in Decatur, and has completed the Master Of Divinity program with a concentration in Pastoral Care at International Theological Center in Atlanta, this May 2011.  McKenzie says tragic life experiences such as losing siblings to AIDs and domestic violence, allowed her to heal through the art of dance. However, it also led her to her new role as a pastor of the Epic World Center, where sermons will be expressed through drama, dance and song, as well as ministering the word of God.

• Founder and CEO of the International Dance Commission (IDC), where she oversees hundreds of dance ministries and has established over 40 Chapters world wide.
• Founder and Director of the Dancing Preachers International Annual Dance Conference, brining together the Nations through worship.
• Founder and Director of Sabrina McKenzie Ministries Sons of Zodak Institute, that offers an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies and a certificate in Liturgical Dance Studies.

• Creative Director for the professional dance company “Dance Nia”, a school providing dance classes to inner city youth. The first liturgical dance minister to receive a major endorsement deal, for a garment line and to design a dance sneaker called “idance.” A renowned author of three books, “Dance with a Purpose,”  ”Saul’s Armor Doesn’t Fit,” and coming soon her new release, “On the Grind.” Her desire is to unify arts ministries to bring all the gifts of the body together to glorify God.