By Morgan Mizell
The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Natchez native Candace Fleming-Green loves dancing and has danced for years.

She is now sharing her love of dance through a dance class she created titled B.A.G.S. — Be All God Says — to teach others a form of ministry known as praise dancing.

“The Lord gave me the vision years ago, but I was afraid to do anything with it,” Fleming-Green said. “The name came from him as well.”

Fleming-Green says people are always listening to what other people say about them and the limitations they set on their abilities. If people are busy listening to others’ opinions, she said, they cannot hear what they are being called to do — they are picking up other people’s bags.

“My motto is, ‘No longer will I carry any other bags,’” Fleming-Green said. “It’s about picking up the right bag and following him.”

The purpose of the group is to provide praise and worship for dancers to enhance their prayer and worship experience. They also seek to empower and inspire youth and young adults to be all God says.

“We will work with youth ages five to young adults,” Fleming-Green said. “I know I have some adults who want to participate and hopefully that will transpire in the future.”

The group will not be affiliated with a specific church but Fleming-Green attends Word of Faith Ambassadors Center and Abundant Life Church, both in Natchez.

“I have done a praise ministry before,” Fleming-Green said. “It was called God’s Anointed Children Praise Ministry. These kids from the area learned different praise dancing styles and we traveled around to perform.”

Dancing has been therapeutic for Fleming-Green. She said it is a form of expression and while some may not agree, it is an art form.

“Dance allows me to express any and everything I am going through, and it is freeing,” Fleming-Green said. “You may not see it but the art is on both sides because there is creativity and expression from the dancer and the person watching is taking that in and receiving a message. There is so much to it.”

Fleming-Green has danced in various groups since high school but said in recent years she began seeking God more and felt called to let her dancing be used in a different manner — to praise him.

“I would not say that I have transitioned or anything,” Fleming-Green said. “There is something very special about dancing before the Lord and it can help you see what he wants you to see and I think it is pleasing to Him.”

Currently Fleming-Green works for Community Loans of America. She has no definite plans to let the dancing replace her day-to-day job, but she says she will not rule it out if the Lord sees fit to bless her in the future.

“I have always heard it said that your dream will make room for you,” Fleming-Green said. “If it is meant to be, in the future, it will be. It is a goal, but for right now I will do this in addition to my job.”

Fleming-Green hopes the group will be about more than just dance as she desires to mentor to youth in the area and help build their belief in themselves and help them to see their self-worth.

“I have had the privilege to have a wonderful spiritual mother, Linda Bankston of Shreveport, La., who is a godsend to me,” Fleming-Green said. “She just pushes me to see who I can be and to do what I can. She inspires me and encourages me and that is what I want to do for others through this ministry.”

Fleming-Green hopes to teach the children and have them ready for recitals and events soon. She would like to have the group be multicultural and representative of the community. The group is open to both boys and girls.

Registration will be at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Maryland Heights Center in Natchez. Anyone who cannot make the registration can contact Candace by phone at 601-431-6752.