Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – The Use of Dance and Other Creative Arts in Missions and Evangelism
By Karen Liew
July 2006
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A Christian Dance Fellowship |
Christian Dance Fellowship of Malaysia (CDFM) began in the late 1970s when a Christian woman, Mary Jones, had a vision to start a revolution of taking dance and creative movement and giving it back to God. She and several others were instrumental in pioneering the first Christian dance fellowship, now known as the International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF). Today there are Christian dance fellowships on every continent and in more than twenty-five countries; all operate with the same purpose and vision to use dance and the creative arts for the glory of God.
CDFM was established in1999 after a regional camp. The event drew many participants who desired to use dance expression in worship, ministry and evangelism. The overwhelming response set the tone for the birth of the CDFM; I (Rev. Karen Liew) was then approved as the national coordinator by the ICDF. Since that time, the fellowship has grown into an established and interdenominational organization that links individuals, groups, churches and performing arts organizations involved in dance and related movement arts ministry not only in Malaysia but also internationally.
Aims and Activities of the Dance Fellowship
CDFM is a charter member of the ICDF and a member of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia (NECF). The aim of the fellowship is to serve as a consultation center to educate and network and to provide resources, training, encouragement and fellowship. It also provides the vision to use dance and other related arts movement as an expression of the Christian faith and unity. Membership is open to those who accept the principles and beliefs of the Christian faith and support the aims of the fellowship.
CDFM has become one of the key Christian organizations in Malaysia. Although Malaysia is not a Christian nation and the population of believers is only a small fraction of society, the Christians in the country are on fire for God and are continuously serving and working together to build the kingdom of God.
Thus, CDFM wants to cooperate with all the churches in the country, regardless of denomination. Because not all believers are inclined toward dance and the performing arts as suitable for ministry and evangelism, this has not always been an easy task. The majority of believers in Malaysia are of Asian origin; hence, there are many pre-conceived notions, largely arising from cultural norms and beliefs, which question the appropriateness of utilizing movement to worship God.
However, there also exists a large number of believers who fully support the idea of dance and arts to glorify God. Many churches have established dance teams. CDFM has been instrumental in bringing together all the Christian dancers from their respective backgrounds to combine their talents and desire to dance for the Lord. Many dancers have been trained to perform at Christian rallies, concerts, workshops and seminars such as the Emmanuel Celebration 1999, Breakthrough Rally 2000, Redeeming Dance Seminar 2000, Dance in His Beauty 2001, Ad Deum Fest 2004 and Rejoice Dance Week 2005. CDFM, along with other church-based dance fellowships, have been offering concerts that rejuvenate Christian worship and witness in the country.