3rd May, 2011
ALEX MURASHKO
Lake Forest, California
Assist News Service
More than 150 dancers spontaneously erupted into dance in between Easter services outside a worship center Saturday proving that the flash mob craze is alive and well at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
“It was great to get everybody together and be able to glorify God in this way. It’s also fun to know that this is happening around the world as well.”
- Gene Lee, flashmob participant |
The five minute production was part of an effort by Faith Church to include flash mob dances performed worldwide to “Up To Faith" (www.uptofaith.com), and taking place on Easter weekend, in a YouTube video. The video is expected to be released on 8th May.
For some people exiting Saddleback’s early evening service Saturday, getting to their cars was a bit of a challenge. However, walking through the gauntlet of dancers in mid-performance appeared mostly joyous. There were plenty of surprised expressions and smiles.
Dancer and Saddleback Church member Gene Lee, who performed with his wife and friends - all dressed in solid Easter pastels and sporting “California” sunglasses - said he was extremely excited to be participating in this event.
“It was great to get everybody together and be able to glorify God in this way,” Lee said. “It’s also fun to know that this is happening around the world as well.”
Saddleback’s creative arts ministry director, Shawn King, said she was told of the flash mob dance project by a member of the church. King looked up the project online and decided to initiate a campaign to get church members involved. Practice sessions were an hour-and-a-half long and held twice-a-week for five weeks.
“I was really surprised about how fun the process was. Small groups (Bible studies) did it together, and grandmas and grandchildren. It was a very bonding experience and so, even the process was worth it.”
Video director Frank Baker led a team of six cameramen shooting the event and said plans include two videos. One will be a Saddleback Church video and the other will be submitted to the “Up To Faith” worldwide organisers. The church video should be up in a few days, he said.
After the performance, King said she was very pleased with the outcome.
“I think that there is an energy that happens when you physically worship God. There is an energy there that you can almost see. All of our focus has been on that this (dance) is an act of worship. It was our prayer that the people watching it would see that this was an act of worship. We wanted them to see the light of Jesus in us and that’s why we are doing it.”
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