Saturday, June 14, 2008

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:42:16 GMT

Shachah Touring Company

"Come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker."
(Psalm 95:6)

Who We Are

Shachah is the Hebrew word for the act of falling prostrate in worship. It is our desire to worship and glorify God through the talents and gifts He has given us. Shachah Touring Company is an evangelistic Christian worship arts company with the objective of presenting the Gospel of Christ through ballet and modern dance techniques while encouraging and ministering to both believers and nonbelievers.

A Little History

Shachah, with its birth in 2004, is a young touring company which operates out of Shizuoka, Japan under the direction of Catherine Gordon, a graduate of Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A. From the beginning, Catherine's goal for Shachah has been to reach as many people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as possible through the unique ministry of dance. In its first year, Shachah Touring Company was made up of three dancers and toured Japan for three weeks presenting a unique ensemble of dances that wove together the story of creation, fall of man, redemption through Jesus Christ, and eternity with God. The reaction from the Japanese people was incredible and we saw many give their lives to God. In 2005, as an answer to prayer, the company grew in number from three to six dancers and was able to share in kindergartens, middle schools, both public and private high schools, and universities, as well as with local churches throughout Japan. Again, God met us every place we visited, touching all who came. In 2006, we were blessed with eight dancers, new choreography, new costumes, and new relationships in Christ. In 2007, once again we grew in number and in artistic quality, and began to share in venues that were better known to the general public, an oppertunity that not only hightened the theatrical experience, but which also blessed those company members who were accostomed to dancing in a theatre. God truely provided.

The Gospel Through Dance

Being a worship arts ensemble, it is our desire to reclaim the arts for the cause of Christ and to inspire alternative means of worship. In the past, the company has shared in both the United States of America and Japan featuring two unique programs: A Love Story and My Beloved.

A Love Story is a collection of works from different choreographers and musical artists that presents the Gospel story in an easy-to-understand way. It is the story of God’s love for all people starting with creation, continuing through the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ, and concluding with the hope we have for a future with Him.

My Beloved, inspired by the book of Hosea, is the story of the unconditional love of Christ for man shown through the relationship between a man and a woman. The woman, humanity, being tempted by the temporary pleasures of this world, is continually rejecting the man. But he, Christ, is constantly pursuing and loving her. This is the story of a perfect love that does not 'alter with its brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom'.

This season, Shachah Touring Company will once again be adding a new program to its repertoire. “The Gospel” will revolve around “grace” and we will be performing to mostly traditional black gospel music, with songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “Oh Happy Day”. Though there is a great love of gospel music in Japan, most people do not understand the message of the songs . Our desire is to share the great truths in these songs through the powerful expression of dance; giving a visual representation of the gospel message. I believe that God will use this love of gospel music and the performing arts to draw people to Himself. This ballet is still undergoing developement and will be presented publicly durring the summer of 2008.

While the members of the company do love to perform, they also enjoy sharing their gifts with others through workshop settings. Such workshops are used to explore dance and its possible uses as a powerful tool for expression. With ballet, modern dance, and jazz we offer a well-rounded and diverse assortment of classes adjusted to the age, ability, and gender of the participants in each workshop. Such workshops are offered in both basic (one to two days) and intensive (three to five days) form.

Touring Schedule

Shachah Touing Company's 2008 touing season will begin July 12th and conclude August 3rd. Although our schedule is filling up, there are still oppertunities for outreach. Please feel free to contact us; we would love to come share with you.

Support

Over time it has become clear that Shachah Touring Company would not exist were it not for the willingness of others. It has been a blessing to be surrounded by people who have given of their time, energies, and talents to further this ministry. We are constantly amazed by how God has provided over abundantly time and time again. We would love to have you share in this mission with us. Some of the ways through which you can make a difference are:

Prayers: Your prayers are an encouragement to us in times of tumult and tranquility.

Physical Abilities: It is always a blessing to work aside another in situations involving costuming, administration, and production.

Monetary Donations: Donations are important to help fund this ministry. Donations may be sent to Shachah Touring Company care of Dothan Christian Fellowship, 2054 John D. Odom Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303, and are to be payable to DCF Missions for Shachah.

As our time of ministry approaches, please be in prayer with us as we seek after God for His will. Our prayer is that God will reveal his purposes for this company, opening and closing the appropriate doors, and that we will be sensitive to His spirit, obeying in faith. Again, thank you for your faithfulness, your thoughts, and your prayers. May God bless you.

Meet The Company

Shachah Touring Company

Catherine Gordon Gunawan
(AKA Fearless Leader)

Catherine is 27 years old and has grown up in Japan. She loves it! Catherine graduated from Belhaven College in 2003 with a BFA in dance and is now teaching English in Shizuoka City. Though she is not currently touring with the company in the U.S.A., she is acting as artistic director from her home in Japan. She has danced with Shachah, as well as staged and choreographed pieces for them over the last three years. Catherine is expecting her first baby in the fall and will be taking a break from dancing this summer. She will, however, continue to assume the role of artistic director while traveling with the company in Japan.

Elizabeth (Deder) Gordon

This website has Elizabeth listed second but she is really the brains in the operation. Without her creative genius this entire evil scheme would fail. She considers herself a ballet freak. She is 23 years old. She has all her clothing organized by color name brand, and material type. She is obsessed with peach tea, those who come between her and it will be killed. By Elizabeth, of course. And that is why she joined Shachah. Because of her deep love for people. "DO YOU HEAR ME I LOVE PEOPLE!!!!!"

Kerry O'Brien

At the age of 23, Kerry graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City with a BFA in dance with a concentration in choreography. She has been with the company since its first tour in 2004, and feels she is to continue dancing with Shachah till the Lord calls her else where. "God gave me a gift, and I choose to use it for His glory, honor, and praise." "Let them praise His name with dancing..." (Psalms 149:3a).

Ben Caldwell

Ben is a 25 years old personal trainer from Houston, Texas. Texas is the best state ever. He is involved with the mission in Japan because they promised him food. Ben loves to worship through dance and also really enjoys mission trips. This is his first time touring with Shachah and he is excited to be play a small part of what God is doing in Japan. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" and "we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:5-7

Katy Hagelin

Katy is 23 and from Seattle, Wa. She dances at Belhaven College during the school year and will be a junior next fall. SHe is dancing here this summer because she believes that God is training her to dance for the sake of the gospel. "I am called to missions and every summer God calls me on a new adventure. So this year God has called me to Japan -to serve and dance for Him; and to be a witness for those who don't know about Jesus."

Tori McConnell

Tori McConnell is a 23 year old Californian, from Yuba City to be exact. In the fall, she is a senior at Belhaven College where she is a dance major. "God is leading me in my journey and has put it in my heart to worship Him with dance in Japan. Enabling and providing all the way, the Lord has and is answering the cry of my heart to serve him and serve others."

Mary Grace Phillips
(Picture Unavailable)

Mary Grace Phillips, born and raised near Atlanta, Georgia, is currently a senior at Belhaven College due to graduate in 2008 with a Bachleor of Fine Arts in dance with an emphasis on performance. Her dream is to one day to travel incorporating the arts with missions and is excited about seeing how the two can work together in delivering the kingdom of God.

Micah Joy Gordon

Micah Joy is 21 and the clown of the group!!!
She feels that God wanted her to be part of this team to share His love and joy that He gives to her with those who need it the most!!! "I am far from the best dancer on this team, but dance is such an awesome and delightful way to share the love of my Jesus whom I love so much!!! I am so excited about how he is going to use me through dance again this summer!!!"

Ericah Gordon!

Ericah is 17 years old and lives in Japan! She is home schooled and loves to dance!!
"I love Japan and I love to dance and dancing is a good way to tell others about Jesus!!! I danced with Shachah last year and I felt like God wanted me to go this year!! I cant wait to see what God wants to teach me this Summer!"

Jonathan Chapman
(Picture Unavaliable)

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Jonathan began his early training in dance at the age of 14
at Praise Him With Dance studio, in Acworth. Following High School graduation, he moved to Jackson, MS to attend Belhaven College and soon found himself in the professional Trainee Program at Ballet Magnificat. Jonathan has been there now for a year and a half.

Summer Wells
(Picture Unavaliable)

Summer is 16 and is a native of Dothan, Alabama. She competed in gymnastics before making the transition to ballet in 2006. She has been a delightful addition to the company and will be joining them in Japan again this summer for their premire tour of their latest full length ballet.

Jade Brown
(Picture Unavaliable)

Jade has been dreamimg of goimg to Japan for missions since she was 11; she is now18. Touring with Shachah this summer is an answer to prayer and without a doubt a great blessing.

How To Contact Shachah

Hearing from you would be a blessing. If you have any questions/comments
or would like to schedule a booking, please feel free to contact us.

Japan Contact:
Catherine Gordon
Deetgirl85@aol.com
Telephone: 54-247-9411

U.S.A. Contact:
Kerry O'Brien
Triumph216@aol.com
Telephone: 334-701-6900

This sight will be updated regularly throughout the tour so keep checking back for updates and pictures!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:05:38 GMT

Picture Gallery

God has blessed the members of this company with common hearts, goals, and desires; for this reason Shachah Touring Company has had the opportunity to share a number of great experiences within the company itself and with those to whom the company has ministered. Below one can find pictures of commical moments from day to day activitives, pre-tour rehearsals in progress, moments captured during an outreach time, new friends and family in Christ, and much more. The below pictures hold a world worth of memories from Shachah's time in Japan, and we would like to share them with you. Enjoy!

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Saturday, June 14, 2008

Tuesday, January 01, 2008