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| Apostle Darrell Moore Sr. |
In an earlier edition of my blog, 'Picture This', I correlated the gift of dancing and photography, as some unusual tools the Lord uses to preach His gospel. The dancer highlighted in my blog was, Apostle Darrell Moore, a very earnest and talented man of God.
In my interview with Darrell, I learned he started dancing at the young age of five years old. From such a young age, the Lord has had his hand on him directing his life through the list of achievments he acclaims today: Apostle, Pastor, Preacher, Teacher, Dancer and Mentor, that's not to mention husband and father.
Darrell is now pastoring with his wife, Cheryl at, Whole Armour of God International Church, in Sanford, Florida. Together they have been pastoring for four years and making an impact in their community and surrounding areas reaching here to Titusville, where I live.
Throughout his years of dancing he has acquired many affiliates around Florida that are instrumental in furthering his vision for school aged children.
In his past, Darrell dedicated his youth to dance, now he gladly dedicates his life to helping the youths of our communities.
The Young Darrell
I mentioned Darrell started dancing at age five. His father didn't consider dancing as a good source of income, but Darrell kept at it and danced in groups with anyone who loved dancing as much as he. When he turned eighteen and began dancing professionally, his father allowed him attend, Ballet Western Reserve, in Youngstown, Ohio, under the artistic director, Anita Lin. In one week Darrell progressed from beginner to advance to everyone's amazement.
Darrell said, "I knew all the dance steps, I just didn't know the terminology.
Because of his achievements at the dance studio in Youngtown, Ohio, he simultaneously began commuting on the weekends, to New York City, to perfect his dancing skills at the, Broadway Dance Center, in Manhattan, under the instruction of, Frank Hachett, well known for his created dance style VOP, which Frank explains in his book, "Jazz Dance;" '"VOP is not a real word or definition, and the letters do not stand for anything. VOP is a verbal incarnation of a feeling. It sounds like what the feeling feels like. When you've finally found it - you're VOPPING!" ' (Frank Hachett is a long ranking guest faculty member at the school, among so many well known guest choreographers, you'll recognize, such as, Mandy Moore, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Sonya Tayeh, Travis Wall, just to name a few, all participators on the show, "So You Thing You Can Dance").
In 1989 Darrell stop teaching at the, Ballet Western Reserve. After three or four years teaching there, Darrell made the final move to Titusville, Florida, at the request of the artistic director from Emma Parrish Theater, to direct and choreograph the first black gospel praise performance, "Pearly". It ran for three weekends and grossed, $32,000. A great accomplishment.
Soon after his success with, "Pearly", Darrell went on to teach at, park & rec's in Titusville, Merritt Island and different studios in Brevard County, including our own, Titusville Ballet and Jazz Studio.
After ten years, in 1998-99, with assistance from, Florida Endowment for the Humanities, Darrell received a grant for $87,000.00 dollars to start the production of, "Liberation Story", that was performed in libraries all across Brevard County.
Leaving Secular Behind
Liturgical Dance finally caught the eye of Darrell who soon found himself dancing at, U.I.C.I.(United In Christ International Ministry), of which he is still currently affiliated.
The purpose of Liturgical and Davidic dance, Darrell explains, is the expressional interpretation of the song through movement. There is a difference he mentions between, Liturgical and Davidic dancing, the later of which he performs. Liturgical, is a modern female approach with many graceful ballet movements incorporated, compared to the traditional Davidic form of dancing perfomed more by men,with it's masculin demeanor. Davidic dancing dates back to Old Testament times, and borrows it's name from King David who danced before the Ark of the Covenant, to the annoyance of Michal, his wife, King Sauls daughter.
Today Darrell is doing much more than dancing. He is busy pastoring a church with his wife, Cheryl, at Whole Armour of God International Church, in Sanford, FL. Always displaying great vision and leadership in his dancing career, Darrell now continues the process in his ministry.
Cheryl also sharing Darrell's vision for preaching the gospel in as many mediums available; together have launched, a live streaming, TV and gospel music radio broadcast, 24 hours daily. You can listen online at, www.thabnmediahosting.com/armour.
They also started, Spirit of Dance Academy, for the serious dance student. This is a satellite campus in affiliation with, Dr. Pat Rush, founder of, Spirit Fire School of Ministry & Spirit Fire School of Sacred Music. Darrell now offers degreed courses using, Spirit Fire School of Sacred Music curriculum. If you would like to learn more about the curriculum and other degreed couses offered at the school of ministry visit, www.wordalive365.org.
Darrell's Future Plans
Helping under priviledge school children excell, is paramount to Darrell. He has been working closely with federal agencies to acquire grants that will help finance future programs he can offer in communities around Brevard County.
One dream is to begin an after school tutorial program named, 'Wag Zone'. This program will assist children in their homework and teach them how to study, so they may achive better grades in school.
Children need to learn to think independently from the confines of their surroundings, and broaden the vision for their lives. The activities offered by the after school program will center first around good grades, and secondly by introducting fun activities that will require them to become diligent: dance, TV production, sports and photography.
The creative discipline attained through these activities will help break through the barriers of tacit limitations; it will broaden their vision, help them become focused, and engage them in new endearvors far beyond their normal grasp, creating a, "can do" attitude, by displacing a, "can't do" attitude. Once they grasp this new concept they will be shown how to use it to their own benefit. Darrell is planning the start of such programs by April or May of this year.
Sponsorship Needed
A very important element for the success of this program, are sponsors. Darrell is hoping to have fifty persons willing to participate in the development of these school age children through active sponsorships. You may call Darrell to find out what a single sponsorship covers per child.
Gospel Rap Competition
Another enterprise being offered in and around Orlando is a fun, Gospel Rap Competition. This will take place in seven cities around Central Florida. The grand prize is, $10,000.00 dollars, to be awarded to one talented person. For more information on the gospel rap competition email: gospel.sodo@bluetie.com
You can get in touch with Darrell and his wife anytime by email: moore.sodo@bluetie.com; or you can write to their address: P.O. Box 2652, Sanford, FL. or by phone: (407) 235-5023.
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