Who We Are - Heritage Dance Ministry

The Heritage Dance Ministry was founded in February 2006 under the leadership of Chris Kelly. What started as a one-time large dance presentation for the Black Heritage Organization of Greater Kansas City's worship service grew into a community dance ministry.

Mrs. Kelly sent letters to churches across the Kansas and Missouri metro areas inviting dancers from all denominations to participate in a joint dance event celebrating Kansas City's heritage during the praise and worship service.

Many of the participants had never danced together before and found the fellowship experience to be very rewarding. The first worship service took place at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, with Wallace Hartsfield as Senior Pastor (Pastor E.). This event led to invitations for the dancers to perform in Black History programs around the city.

Pastor E's vision to have a city-wide mass dance presentation opened the door for Chris as he assumed the role of her spiritual advisor. She desired to form a community dance ministry that included people from all cultures and denominations. The dancers enjoyed dancing and wanted to stay together as part of Chris's community dance ministry. Chris's dream became a reality.

HDM became an official part of the Rufus C. and Leola Goff Family Foundation (RCLG, named after her parents) as one component of the foundation's targeted programs and services, of which she is co-founder and president.

Chris and the Heritage Dance Ministry received a Proclamation from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, for contributions to Black History-365, Sylvester "Sly" James, Mayor

Notable Appearances:

· Kansas and Missouri SCLC King Celebrations

· California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Kansas City, 2006.

· NAACP 101st National Convention 2010 (dance presentation choreographed by Chris Kelly)

· The 130th Annual Session National Baptist Convention USA Inc. 2010 (dance presentation choreographed by Chris Kelly)

· The AME National Convention 2013 

· The C.O.G.I.C. (Church of God In Christ) AIM National Convention 2014

· The National Baptist Convention USA Inc. 136th Annual Session Pre-Convention Musical 2016 (dance presentation choreographed by Chris Kelly)

· The Installation service of Dr. John Lewis Jr, Second Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, 2018

HDM has appeared on programs with national recording artists:

· Vanessa Bell Armstrong

· Carolyn Traylor

· Bee and Cee Winans

· Shirley Ceasar

· Robert Houston and True Dedication

· Toi Lee for a Fred Hammond concert

In addition to numerous engagements around town, they minister at nursing homes, family reunions, weddings, funerals, women's conferences, and other special events. HDM is known nationally for its annual dance conferences and concerts.

Membership is open to the public and inclusive of all age groups, church denominations, ethnic groups, and genders.

For more information, you may contact Minister Kelly at rchristine@erthlink.net