Dreaming of Dance with the Philippine All-Stars

Whether you dream of Dancing with the Stars or are just a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, talented dancers are becoming more and more mainstream. In 2006 and 2008, the Philippine All-Stars won the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, where teams compete from all over the world for the title of best dance crew. When we interviewed Kenjohns Serrano and the Philippine All-Stars six years ago, we talked with them about how their faith affects their doubts and how they view being missionaries to the hip-hop dance scene.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17

Serrano shares what they do when they are faced with doubt after God called them to something.

“There have been plenty of times we moved with a lot of faith. Borrowing larges sums of money from friends and business leaders just for plane tickets, fees, and hotels, only to arrive in a city with no money to eat. Yeah, we have had times made us all think, ‘Was this really a good idea?’ But even in those situations, things just worked out. Maybe a Filipino family would offer to make us dinner or get us some food. Or like the hotel we were staying at one time; they let us set up our tables and sell our t-shirts and CDs in their lobby. And the money just came in through sales. And then all of a sudden we have more than enough. And we’re like, ‘How did it all happen?’ [Laughing to himself] I’m telling you, yo – it’s His story and we’re just blessed to be a part of this chapter! God always has our back in these situations. We just gotta listen to Him and go forward in faith. Every time we have stepped forward and gone through something, it makes the steps easier. Cuz you know God got you covered back there [in the past events] so you know He’s already gone ahead for the next thing too.” 

^“ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4-8

Serrano opens up about being a missionary to the hip-hop dance scene.

“…We’re definitely trying to live something out in a way that speaks with actions to the people that we hook up with. Like this cat I met from Trinidad-Tobago. He is such a great dancer and he came up to me to ask me for choreography tips. We started chillin’ and I was just trying to give him everything I knew. And after our relationship took off, he kept coming back to me asking me why the All-Starts were so successful, especially cuz we weren’t controlling our content from other dance crews. It became an opportunity to tell him what god has given us all and how God didn’t keep that from any of us. So, I just told him that’s why we are the way we are, cuz it was given to each of us freely from God to share freely. Now that guy is really on his way to pursuing God. His life has changed. His crew’s attitude has changed. Now when they are on stage, they let everyone know that God is the reason they are where they are now. Crazy, yeah?” 

Risen Reflections

Have faith. It can be difficult to have faith and trust God. Whether it is a financial situation, sickness or family drama, turn to God with your situation. Pray and ask God to give you his truth about your circumstance. Reflect on stories in the Bible where people had to rely on God and what he had revealed to them even when the situation seemed bleak. When thoughts of doubt or fear creep in, go to God’s word and the promises He has revealed to you.

Gather a faith crew. You don’t need to be a hip-hop dancer to have a faith crew. It can be some of your close friends, people from church or small group. Pick out some events at your church or other local churches to go to. It can be a conference, worship night or small group, but have it be something that will help you grow in your faith. Your faith crew can pray for each other and also have fun and fellowship with one another.

Share your faith through actions. God has us on sports teams, in classes and in careers with people that don’t know Him. He wants us to be a witness for him through our words and actions. It is important that our faith, words and actions are all a reflection of Him. If you are having trouble being a witness for Christ, ask a close friend or your small group to hold you accountable. Remember that no one is perfect, but when you make a mistake, ask God for forgiveness and ask forgiveness of anyone that you hurt or offended.

To read our entire interview with Kenjohns Serrano and the Philippine All-Stars click here.