Warren Wiersbe describes worship as “the believer’s response of all that they are - mind, emotions, will, body - to what God is and says and does."  Interpretive Dance Worship is a tangible example of this kind of response.

Chattanooga Valley Church of the Nazarene’s Interpretive Dance Team began in 2006 when Claudia Esquivel Berck came to us from Mexico.  She arrived with a limited ability to speak English, but with lots of love and instantly connected with our teen girls.  Soon after arriving, she began to teach them a new way to express worship through Interpretive Flag Dance and it now has become a vital part of our worship services.

Claudia has been involved in interpretive dance since she was fourteen and believes that everything that is done should be for God’s glory.  She has set this as the standard for the team and has incorporated Scripture, prayer and sharing as a part of every practice.

One of the team members explains that Interpretive Dance has become her greatest means of worship expression.  Where singing is difficult for her, dancing enables her to worship God with her whole being.

The richness of this expression of worship and devotion positively affects our congregation on several levels.  First, dance worship involves our teen girls in a ministry that connects them to each other, to God, and to our church in deep and meaningful ways.  Second, it provides a sensory experience that beautifully compliments our other components of worship that include music, liturgy, praise, and proclamation.  And finally, it reminds us that worship comes in many flavors, even those which at one time we might have considered to be “something a little different.”

High resolution video

Trading My Sorrows will be performed at TNT

Claudia performs "You Raise me Up"

 

Kelsi will also perform at TNT for winning individual honors

in the  alternative worship category

Samples that didn't make the cut

Some Practice video