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 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.
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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.
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Founder and CEO of the International
Dance Commission (IDC), where she oversees hundreds of dance ministries
and has established over 40 Chapters world wide.
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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.
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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.
