She Magazine APRIL 2016 | Page 37

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 SHEMAGAZINE.COM or school, so it’s an added stage and outlet. It’s also additional training and education, which is priceless.” CONTINUED ... APRIL 2016 37