The Nashville Citadel
Recent studies have shown that the town of Madison, TN has a crime rate four times higher than the national average.
When their youth group began to dwindle, The Nashville Citadel Corps, a Salvation Army church got to “stepping” in order to bring youth back to the church.
“Our church was dwindling in numbers, and we really needed something to boost up the youth and teens. I was trying to think what I could do to get them motivated to be a part of it, says church member, Shermelle McKay.
Shermelle McKay and her brother Donley, decided to start a “step team” at the Madison, TN location.
“Well, it’s an African tradition. They used to do steps, say for instance to celebrate a homecoming, or celebrate initiation rights, but it goes further back to the form of dance to basically use it as a form of praise,” says step coach, Donley Furguson.
Soon after starting the step team, the youth group began to grow dramatically and started drawing in young adults from all over the city.
“We’ve got kids from all over the place. Really it has had a big impact on them, and they have brought in a new form of worship," adds Pastor Edward Binnix.
"I’ve seen extraordinary strengths in these young men… great character, fine young men, and some young ladies too,” says team member, Jerrrell Love. “I decided to join about a year and a half ago. I was seeing others do it, and I just kind of wanted to hop in and do it myself. It has kept me strong in the church because they make us stay involved in the church to be a part of the team.”
The step team, known as The Salvation Soliders, has even performed at competitions, for other youth groups, and on stage, with several recording artists in Nashville.
“It brought me closer to Christ. I’m coming to church more because at first, before I was in the drill team, I wasn’t coming to church that much. There’s a lot of bad things you can get into. There’s not many positive things that you can really get into in the community and stepping is one thing that you can do that’s positive to reach out to other people," believes team captain, Ryan Shelton.
Congratulations to The Nashville Citadel Corps for your step team ministry. You are "America’s Church of the Week."