Forestdale’s Westwood Baptist, Briarwood provide ballet

Not long ago, the idea of ballet becoming a ministry in a Southern Baptist church was unimaginable. Many Southern Baptists remember a broad, unwavering stance taken against dancing and opening the church doors to anything resembling dance.
   
In the past few years, however, the spiritual value of teaching dance with modest movements, godly music and nonrevealing costumes is beginning to be realized. And as administrators of the Briarwood Ballet at Westwood Baptist Church, Forestdale, are discovering, the ministry opportunities are virtually limitless.
   
Begun in September 2000, the Briarwood Ballet at Westwood is the result of a cooperative effort between Briarwood Presbyterian Church’s successful ballet program and the highly supportive Westwood congregation.
   
“We had nothing to offer on this side of town,” said Cindy Best, secretary, billing clerk and fix-it person with the Westwood program. “We want to show students they can dance and still be godly young women.”
   
But what started as an effort to bring a wholesome ballet program to northwestern Jefferson County has turned into a multifaceted ministry that reaches out in unexpected ways to other segments of the community.
   
First and foremost, the Westwood program ministers to its students, numbering around 85 and ranging from age 3 and up. Each class begins with prayer and students are constantly and consistently exposed to God’s Word in relation to a yearly theme.
   
The students also minister to one another whenever a need arises. When the father of a student was killed in an accident, classes were canceled and the students went as a group to the funeral home. The ballet ministry later established a scholarship fund in the name of the deceased father.
   
Another way the Westwood ballet program ministers is through its recitals. “When you come to one of our recitals,” Best explained, “… you’re coming to a worship service.”
   
Earlier this year Westwood hosted a “Dinner and the Ballet” event to which people could come, have dinner and watch the ballet. This year the guests included mothers from a nearby rehabilitation facility and their children.
   
“They were our special guests,” said Best. Free child care was provided, and a local merhant donated kid-sized meals.
   
Within the ballet is a small group of older students called Messiah’s Praise. Chosen by their teachers, these six students represent the Westwood program at special performances and events, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate how ballet is used to worship God.
   
The group was recently invited to perform at an event featuring Heather Whitestone McCallum, who won the Miss Alabama and Miss America crowns with ballet performances.
   
“God has definitely worked through this ministry,” said Best. “I know He has a mission for this ballet because He provides so much for it.”