The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Youth ministry is dancing up a storm
Living Word Church, 658 E. Erie Ave. in Lorain, looks like a typical place of worship.
A large white sign with the church’s name sits out front.
The building’s brick exterior which is worn from the elements, stretches down Delaware Avenue.
Inside, are purple seats that match the décor line on the floor. And when the room is empty, there’s a sense of tranquility.
Living Word’s youth minister Brandon Tolliver, 31, said the church is home to Unashamed Youth Ministry, a youth group filled with 50 children and Lorain County’s only step team.
Tolliver’s wife, Katierra Tolliver, 28, also a youth minister, said any sense of tranquility is gone by 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
“All of the kids will be here for practice, and they’re talking so loud and you can feel their excitement,” Katierra Tolliver said.
The youth ministry specializes in various forms of dance including hip-hop, praise and step.
With over 10 dances, the ministry puts on performances for the congregation and community.
New motto
The ministry was on a hiatus from 2016 to mid-2019.
But around Easter of last year, Living Word reinstated the youth ministry with a new motto and dance group.
“‘I am my brother’s keeper’ is our motto,” Brandon Tolliver said. “They embody that motto by supporting each other and dancing with each other.”
The children are excited to come to practice and give it everything they have, he said.
“I had a teenage boy ride his bike for 30 minutes in the rain to get to practice,” Brandon Tolliver said. “They always make sure they show up and they’re ready to practice.”
Makaya Lincicome, 12, a youth ministry ambassador, said the ministry’s setup is something new and different. Makaya has been part of the church’s ministry since she was 6.
However, when the church recently revitalized its youth ministry program to include new forms of dance, she said it gave her a chance to express her love for God in her own way.
“Dancing is my way of talking to God,” Makaya said. “It seemed like a fun thing to do as a church. I like dancing, the people and the kids.”
For youth ministry ambassador Frank Bradley, 16, the program is a home away from home.
Frank said the program helps him control his anger and gives him a chance to worship and express himself through dance.
“The dancing, it has to be sharp and precise the way that Brandon likes it,” he said. “I get to let loose a little. It’s a group of people I can come to and call home.”
Frank said the group is a place to feel free and be who you are.
“You don’t have to worry about being judged or what someone wants you to be,” he said. “You can move freely without restraints.”
Request for performances
The ministry’s been asked to perform in parades, concerts and competitions.
Katierra Tolliver said the invitations are because of the group’s uniqueness.
The youth ministry has different wardrobe assortments including glow in the dark clothing, bow ties and suspenders.
“We incorporate gospel rap and hip-hop to get them encouraged to come,” Katierra Tolliver said. “We want to give them something they can relate to and enjoy.”
Since last March, the group went from 15 to 50 members and Brandon Tolliver hopes to see it keep growing.
“This is for the community,” he said. “We want to give kids and teens a place to go where they can have fun and be safe.
“I’m tired of seeing children dying.”
Talented youngsters
Holly Robinson, 41, and first lady of Living Word Church, said although the children in the program are talented, she didn’t think it’d grow so fast.
The Rev. Ray Robinson is pastor of Living Word.
“I’m so blown away at the young people,” Holly Robinson said. “Their energy draws you in. It’s magnetic, their spirit, their energy it’s so lively.
“I don’t think any of us were prepared for how large it became.”
Robinson said group members are a source of positivity for each other.
“The way the young people come together, unify and uplift each other is just so wonderful,” she said. “We don’t know what they face on their own. But they know they have a place to go.”