LEYA ELLER HAD HER FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH GOD AT AGE FOUR.
Although that was almost forty years ago, Leya still remembers as if it
were yesterday. “My dad, who is a minister, was doing an interview on the
radio, and he sang a song entitled ‘More Than You Will Ever Know.’
Something about the words of that song, even at such a young age, resonated with me, and I couldn’t get over it. When he got home, I asked him to explain
exactly what the words meant. He took his time and did just that, explaining
what Jesus meant to him. He told me about his salvation experience and his
relationship with God. I asked if I could have that too, and he told me anyone
could. He knelt down with me at the couch, and we both prayed the sinner’s prayer.
I accepted Christ into my life that day. Although I have had many times to renew my
relationship, it was absolutely the beginning and a day I hold so dear. I am a true
“EVERYTHING THAT DEFINES
THE performing arts
HAS MY HEART, AND I WANTED
TO SHARE WITH OTHERS.”
Daddy’s Girl, and I wouldn’t want to share that special moment in any other way than
with the man who, other than my spiritual Father, means so much to me.”
When she turned eleven years old, Leya knew she wanted to grow up and pursue
the field of ministry. “At that time in my life, I felt I was called to be a missionary. I was
drawn to the mission field.” God confirmed the desires of her heart when she was four-
Throughout her career, she has choreographed dance and production pieces, has
teen. “I was praying one morning, and in the most audible voice, God spoke to me and
assisted dance teams, and has led arts programs, including a summer arts camp.
told me, ‘I have called you to preach, and you will be My voice to many people.’ I can
She also developed a deep compassion for children. Once her family founded the
imagine how Samuel felt hearing God’s voice. I remember just knowing it was God,
Faith, Hope, and Love International Church in her hometown of Muskegon, Mich-
knowing it was a divine mandate, and knowing it was what I was going to do and be.
igan, Leya volunteered to lead the children’s ministry. Under her direction, the
I was so confident and assured, but that comes from having incredible Godly parents as
ministry grew to over 250 children and thirty staff members in just two years.
examples.”
Slowly but surely, God was revealing to Leya His plan for her to combine the two
Each day is a blessing as Leya is able to reach out to many and touch their lives.
Dreaming of producing a dance musical with a message, Leya created the Pee
relationship with God that allows me to see people beyond my natural eyes as God
Dee Community Arts Team (PDCAT). “I wanted to do more than just the typical
does. Being a minister places me in a position to walk in compassion with people that
and traditional church dance team. I have been dancing for years and have had
is often so beautiful, so emotional, so life changing. I not only have knowledge of the
experience in theater. I have such a passion for the performing arts, and I felt that
power, promise, and presence of God, but I am witness to it, and I am a vessel used
I needed to give all of me to what I did. I love the stage! I love directing, acting,
by it! I have been chosen…how awesome is that? I love it!”
lighting, [choreographing], and staging. Everything that defines the performing
Leya’s own personal testimony over the years serves as an inspiration to all who
arts has my heart, and I wanted to share with others.” Originally, she was plan-
know her. While there have been many storms, she has conquered them all with
ning on the team members being adults; however, things worked out as they
God’s help. “I could go on all day in saying how God has played a pivotal role in
should have. “When we did the first auditions, all I got was young people. It was
my life, but the simplest answer is I don’t think I would be here without Him. The
clear what my destiny was as Artistic Director, and I just embraced it. It’s been
theme of my life story has become one of strength and being an overcomer! As a
the best experience to work with young adults in this way.”
young girl and teenager, I experienced sexual assault. In my early adulthood, I was
The main purpose of PDCAT, Leya explains, was to extend beyond church
diagnosed with ovarian cancer and after a year was in remission. I have survived
“to teach dancers to embrace dance and the art of dance. We regularly teach
divorce and domestic abuse, depression and suicidal attempts, multiple miscar-
jazz, modern, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, mime, African fusion, pop fusion, liturgical.
riages, and just LIFE! Last year, I was diagnosed with the reoccurrence of ovarian
Since we have formed, we now have branched into spoken word/poetry, visual
cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It has been God and ONLY God that has
art/drawing, singing, and [music]. We encompass all the arts and continue to
kept me through my life. While I definitely have had plenty of victories, joys, and
grow. I felt it was important to showcase all the talents we have in a versatile
triumphs, I have had many valleys that have caused me to have to draw close to
and true community stage. Many of the members we have either only perform in
Him and seek Him, His face, and His strength to get through them all.”
church or in school, or they don’t get to do what they do with us in their church
Dancing has also played a pivotal role in Leya’s life. As a child, she loved to perform and would often travel with her family to dance during her father’s concerts.
along with spreading His word.
“To be able to make a difference, even in small ways, is so amazing to me. To have a
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or school, so it’s an added stage and outlet. It’s also additional training and education, which is priceless.” CONTINUED ...
APRIL 2016
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