I have the joy of serving as the Chief Executive Assistant at Leaps of Faith Ballet Ministry in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. At our core, we are more than a ballet studio. We are a ministry that offers free classes and shares the gospel with children who might never otherwise step foot into a traditional studio. Since our humble beginnings in 2015 with just eight students, we've grown into a vibrant community of nearly 100, with almost 50 more on our waitlist. In 2024 alone, we’ve witnessed powerful testimonies of God’s provision through timely donations, life-on-life discipleship, and community fundraising, all pointing back to His glory. 

When Leaps of Faith was founded a decade ago, we didn’t give much thought to the meaning behind our name. But as we look back over the years, we see how the phrase “leap of faith” has become a true reflection of our ministry’s heartbeat. In every season of waiting and every moment of uncertainty, God’s steadfast love has never wavered. He has taken our small steps of faith and multiplied them into stories of transformation that ripple through the lives of hundreds, each with their own leap of faith to share. 

From makeshift studios in school cafeterias to a space of our very own provided at no cost, we’ve seen God open doors we never even knew to knock on. We never anticipated outgrowing our current studio so quickly, just as we never imagined being gifted the studio in the first place. As our waitlist grew, so did our prayers. For months, our team and students prayed together, unsure of where additional space or funding would come from.  

Then, in what felt like a casual conversation, we shared our five-year vision with our pastor.  He generously offered us space in our church, enough for three more studios. It was another unexpected provision, echoing the same faithfulness we saw when we once prayed for a single costume and are now blessed with an overflow. God continues to provide in ways we never could’ve orchestrated ourselves. 

One of our favorite traditions each year is hosting Ballet Magnificat, a world-renowned Christian ballet company, for our annual fundraiser. But this past year, we found ourselves at what felt like a dead end with scheduling conflicts and logistical hurdles, which made it seem impossible. After exhausting every option, we brought our students into the journey and invited them to pray with us. Week after week, they returned asking, “Has God answered yet?” and we’d smile and say, “We’re still praying.” As the weeks passed, we saw not only a deepening faith in our students but also a beautiful curiosity about God's character.  

Then, God made a way. Sharing the good news with our students was a moment of overwhelming joy. It reminded us that through our own transparency and dependence on Him, God can move powerfully, increasing faith in even the smallest hearts. Every ballet show we put on is a tangible display of God’s faithfulness. Each costume, every detail, every step is choreographed by His hand. But often, the most sacred parts of our ministry happen off-stage, in spaces no one sees. Whether it’s car rides to and from the studio filled with laughter and heartfelt conversations, or late nights spent listening and encouraging students, these are the moments where discipleship takes root.  

We’ve had the privilege of walking with students through seasons of heartbreak, joy, and growth, discipling everyone from pre-K to high schoolers. This past year, we saw a shift like never before. We locked arms with our students in the fight against sin, often feeling the weight of the battle. But in staying rooted in prayer, we also witnessed heart change and spiritual transformation. Though the fight isn’t over, God has continued to equip us, reminding us that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. 

As we press forward, we do so with hope and unwavering trust. No matter the challenges that lie ahead, we remain steadfast because the God who called us is faithful. He’s the one writing this story, and what a beautiful story it’s becoming.