MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Who knew a church praise dance would light up social media?
It happened when video shot by Bernal Smith of the Tri State Defender went viral, showing Greater Community Temple Church of God and Christ’s Christmas service and two dancers doing a praise dance on a hoverboard.
“A church has to be relevant,” says the church’s pastor, Bishop Brandon Porter. He got the idea after watching former praise dancers at his church use the hoverboard.
“I saw them how they were gliding. I said you know what. This would look nice as a praise dance. She says I was thinking the same thing,” Porter said.
Hoverboards in church rubbed some people the wrong way. Some called it unorthodox, but Bishop Porter doesn’t see it that way.
“I give God praise because it’s still his light being shown. They are showing on the video two people that are worshiping God,” he said.
He said the hoverboard was a small part of service. The highlight was the church giving away almost $20,000 in toys, money, clothes and, yes, hoverboards to needy families.
“We gave at least six families a complete Christmas, that’s everything the children wanted and the parents thought they needed that day,” Porter said.
He never expected the social media reaction to the hoverboard but said it also reached people who may never set foot in a church.
“I rejoice in that because the difference between good and great is exposure, and we are showing the light of Christ, the love of Jesus,” Porter said.
Porter, who himself even rode a hoverboard into service earlier this month, said you have to reach people where they are.
“The Bible says through Paul, I became all things to all men that I might win some. Sometimes we have to break our own rules, our own traditions just that we might touch someone’s heart with Jesus Christ,” says Porter.
Porter predicts the hoverboards in church services will become a trend. He knows of at least one other church that has already followed his lead.
