Abby and I have never been to a conference together. When I started writing this blog many years ago, Abby was much younger. Our adventures were much different. This blog is starting up again with new adventures, new lessons, experiences, and a new little sister traveling along at times, who is a little older than Abby was when I started this blog. However, Abby Girl is now a preteen, and so, we restart this blog with a new tone. Today sharing our experience attending a praise dance conference in Maryland.

What is a Praise Dance Conference-

According to Dancing For Him Ministries,

People call dancing for the Lord a number of different things. Some may say it’s praise dance; others may say it is worship dance; some may call it interpretive dance or expression, while others call it prophetic dance. None is wrong or incorrect. Prophetic dance, however, can take on many different looks or have different interpretations.

So a praise dance conference is a place where individuals who are led to explore this form of ministry can come to learn and grow in their field, as well as grow in other ways, too. I personally had no idea what I was walking into as my daughter and I entered those doors and put on our name tags. However, over the course of the two days, we learned that there is so much to praise dance. Biblical sign language becomes big, beautiful movements, and flags take on different meanings based on their appearance. Everything you do has a meaning and purpose.

Led By the Holy Spirit-

But there were also times of prophetic dance where the Holy Spirit leads you through your movements as you danced in front of individuals. Sometimes, even being led to certain people. It was a beautiful time where smiles, tears, and breakthroughs happened. I know when I looked over at my ten-year-old daughter, you could just tell she was being led by the Holy Spirit to minister through her dance. She looked so strong, confident, and at peace. It was beautiful to witness. Yes, I cried. But it was a joyful cry.

Learning How to be a Leader-

I’m not much of a leader, or at least I don’t feel like I am. But at a praise dance conference, you learn the techniques and tools to be able to lead and to lead properly in this discipline. Even my daughter, who is extremely shy at first, stepped forward and led adults several times her age. It’s possible because you are in such a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Learn from Others-

While meeting so many people from so many walks of life, you will learn from them if you are open to it. Even on breaks, we relied on others to drive us as my husband had our car. Observing how the other women acted even outside of the conference walls was so inspiring. They also shared valuable advice with us that changed how I think completely and how I needed to change my mindset, or I would be stuck where I am.

In the conference, we learned how supportive and encouraging a group like this can be, and we had over sixty women around us. My daughter was one of the youngest by far, mixed in with adults. No one treated her differently, and they were all amazing with her and really embraced and included her. They never talked down to her, or anything like that. They treated her like everyone else in the room.

Sometimes, in other personal experiences, people will brush off or talk down to the younger ones because they are just kids. But what they don’t realize is these “kids” might just become the ones to really shake up and change the world for the better.

Expect to be changed-

As I mentioned above, I was changed because for the first time in a while, I was in such a glorious place. Something I want to hold onto going forward because it was a feeling I don’t want to let go of ever! My mindset has been totally changed. I went to this conference for my daughter, as she was the one who wanted to explore praise dance ministry more. But now I really want to become a part of it more, too, beyond my modern dance training.

Abby had the biggest shift from the conference. She was moody and argumentative and kind of in a lost state before the conference. She would have great moments and then boom. After the conference, she became calmer, more helpful, and this beautiful spirit appeared.

On the car ride home …

she craved Christian music and was leafing through a New Testament Bible, reading out loud to everyone in the car. It was so cool.

Back home, I waited a couple of weeks to finish this post. I am happy to report that the shift is still happening. She looked at her shorts and tossed them aside, telling me they were too short. It was little things like that.

But on a bigger shift, she came to me and said she is now being led to join a faith-based ballet company, and then later on a faith-based ballet studio. Same mission as before, but now with the word “faith” in there.

She also turned down an audition for a summer intensive to join a six-week Christian-based dance ministry near our home with two hours a week in ballet and modern, followed by a performance. She, along with others, will be ministering to the community through dance at the end of the six weeks. This is something I feel our area truly needs.

Even on the YouTube channel I have with her, she has decided to put more faith-based choreography that she creates. Her first Christian-based video in a long time received over a thousand views, a wonderful comment, and new subscribers. It’s also inspired her in her mainstream choreography, playing more with scarves and giving the scarf a backstory/meaning. See where Abby aka Abve is performing next and connect with us! Click here

Many Doors Closed …

Many doors closed in our lives, and especially in Abby’s dance world. But we kept knocking and waiting. Then, this door to this conference at the last moment opened enough that we were able to walk through it and go. It was a lesson in how God opens doors in His time. It’s not up to us. It’s up to Him. I’m a little bit of a control freak, and this was another lesson learned to let go and let God. When I look back on it now, if those doors had not closed, this door might not have opened and opened in when it did. In His perfect timing.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7 7-8

Are you Looking for a Praise Conference?

Pastor Lynn Hayden has a few more conferences this year and is planning her 2027 season. She also has some amazing resources on her webpage and a whole school where you can study praise dance ministry online (along with other dance options/videos). You can even write her with suggestions of places the Praise Dance Conference can head to next. Personally, we would LOVE to see more praise dance conferences and opportunities right here in the Northeast!

As For US …

We look forward to future praise dance conferences, God willing of course, and are very excited for what He has in store next!

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