Jalal dance ministry, a new IWU small group, meets on Sundays from 6 to 8pm in the Recreation and Wellness Center on campus.
Emmanuel Sanchez said he was inspired to start his small group because of the strong influence dance had on him from an early age.
Sanchez’s passion for dance and worshiping God is something he wanted to share.
“This is an opportunity for students to learn something new and to grow their relationship with God,” Sanchez said.
There are 176 small groups this spring semester according to Lizzie Smith, Student Body Chaplain of Discipleship and Formation.
“Our vision was kind of to make small groups smaller and deeper,” Smith said.
Sanchez said he took time to intentionally name his small group.
“The ministry is called Jalal Dance Ministry, and the word Jalal comes from a Hebrew name, meaning to exalt, to praise God, to pride in Him, to pride His glory,” Sanchez said. “When I hear jalal, I think of expressing all of my gratitude, all of my heart and my soul to God in worship, dance and prayer.”
Anna Blower is a member of the Jalal dance ministry and hopes to learn from Sanchez and his experience in dance.
“He’s a very talented person and someone that I can learn from,” Blower said.
Students have the opportunity to learn instruments such as the tambourine, mantle, streamer, and flag, which are incorporated into the dances.
Sanchez said he aims to create a welcoming environment that encourages worship through the art of dance for his fellow students.
“My biggest thing is that they get to have a connection, or reconnect themselves with God through dance, but also prepare themselves as worshippers, so that they can give all of it to God,” Sanchez said.
