Patricia Cross
My life has been graced with many incredibly interesting and loving people. Individuals who have made a difference, not with words alone, but by extraordinary example. One such person is Patricia Cross.
Patricia Cross caught my attention a few years ago with an announcement made in our Sunday school class. She invited the class to attend a dance recital performed by a small group of children to whom she had become teacher and mentor. The children live in an impoverished area of our city. As time went by more announcements were forthcoming and I was getting to know Patricia and her mission quite well. The more I learned about her and Rejoice Ministries and her endeavor to make a difference in the lives of this small group of children the more impressed I became. She truly is an awesome lady. One who merits my deepest respect.
When I think of Patricia and how Rejoice Ministries began I am reminded of the account in the book of Exodus when God called Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage. Moses’ response to the appointment was “I am not qualified, what can I do? I have nothing to give.” In turn, God asked, “what is that in your hand?” Moses said, “a staff, a shepherds staff.” God said, “I can use it.” He then performed a demonstration. To the natural eye it was just an old stick. A most unlikely instrument through which God would work throughout the assignment. That old stick became the “Rod of God.” It became the symbol of His mighty, miraculous power. What a difference it made when God would speak to Moses to “stretch forth the Rod.” It proved over and over that God accepts and uses what you have. None of us have anything that we did not receive. We gave ourselves nothing. Whatever we possess, God gave it and He will use it for His glory and purpose here in the earth. Wonderful things happen when the ordinary is used by God to create the extraordinary.
Patricia has taught ballet for many years. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of the underserved and impoverished. Especially children and young adults who seemed hopelessly trapped in the clutches of social injustice. She had nothing to offer except herself and the gift of dance which she was so willing to give. As she looked at the different situations around her it brought sadness because of the inequity of it all. Ballet and all the other fine arts was not available to low income families. Only middle class and up could provide their children the advantage of participating in any of them. Realizing this she offered herself and her gift to God, hoping He would accept and use it. He accepted it and is using it mightily She was now a lady on a mission. God was on her side and the wind was to her back. There would be no retreat.
In 1998, Patricia offered to do a free praise dance workshop for a small church in an impoverished area of Nashville. Ballet would be the base of the workshop. Twelve children from low income families signed up. We can only imagine the excitement and giddiness of those children as the time for the workshop drew near. All were well disciplined, talented and loaded with potential.
Patricia knew when the workshops ended there would be no place for the children to go. At that time she began Rejoice Ministries. Specifically for the underprivileged population of children in East Nashville. With a borrowed room in one of the larger churches in the area and later a borrowed room in an elementary school she began holding classes. Thirty two students filled the classroom the first year. This was, no doubt, a beginning for the fulfillment of dreams held by these youngsters. All children have hopes and dreams of someday achieving an important role in life. Ask any child what they want to be when they grow up and you will get answers such as “policeman, firefighter, nurse, doctor, teacher, scientist.” The list goes on. They dream of being someone who makes the world a better place because they made a difference. Sometimes children go through as many as six career changes in their mind by the time they are twelve. That is unimportant. The important thing is that people be in their lives who will coach, direct, guide and mentor them in a positive way toward reaching their goal. They need someone who will provide a commodity that gives motivation and meaning in their lives, Every child needs acceptance and a place to belong. This is what Patricia Cross has offered for several years.
Week after week Patricia has made the trek from her home to the classroom filled with eager children. She has set boundaries and made rules for them which will continue to serve them in a positive way in the future. It is not likely that we will ever see any of her students on the evening news because of their involvement in juvenile crime. They have an established connection with God and are living with a noble purpose. Without Patricia many of the students might have become victims of their circumstances, giving the enemy an opportunity to steal, kill and destroy. She has held firmly to each one with her very life.
Several adults have come alongside Patricia to help her in a number of ways. She needs all this help and more since the enrollment now stands at seventy two. Patricia’s mother, Mrs. Muriel Hove who is eighty eight and Cathy Meyer are two great helpers. A Bible teacher holds classes every other Saturday for Rejoice students and their parents. In the classes they are learning the fundamentals of the faith. Out of this a Praise and Worship dance class has been established. They are learning the powerful place of praise in God’s order and the difference between performing and using their gift of dance to worship God. Praise and worship in dance opens and closes the class. They are learning about God. Growing in understandig as their little hearts connect with Him through teaching and praise dancing. They are learning to draw from His wisdom and to be led by His Spirit. In a chaotic world filled with uncertainty this troupe of children has found a safe haven in Rejoice School of Ballet.
Rejoice also has an Activities Director, a Costume Mistress, a Memory Work Leader and an Athletic Director. Activities and sporting events will be organized and supervised by steadfast Christian people who so admire what Patricia is doing in the giving of herself and her gift. They want to do likewise to help in making a better life for the students. A generous Keystone Grant from the Junior League of Nashville has been an enormous blessing for Rejoice.
Rejoice students have been honored in the past year to dance in several events, including:
- Three large churches in Metro Nashville.
- Safe Haven Family Shelter.
- McNeilly Center’s “Black History Month” Celebration of Friendship.
- Schermerhorn Concert Hall for the Metro Arts Commission, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nashville Business Committee luncheon.
- Ten Rejoice studenst danced in the Nashville Ballet “Nutcracker” at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Events in the coming months for Rejoice students include:
- Rejoice School of Ballet recital “Like a Rose” at Warner School.
- Recitals at Fellowship Baptist Church and Christ Church.
- Rejoice School of Ballet Awards Banquet.
- One dance at Rejoice School of Ballet Smart Steps recital at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Much is owed to people like Patricia Cross who work quietly, unannounced, without fanfare, seeking no notariety. Their good deeds just spill over into the most unexpected places that God prepares in advance. He is at work in it all. People somehow find out and it gets their attention. The legacy that Patricia leaves will live on through her students. She sowed one seed, “herself with her gift.” That seed will never be smaller. It will continue to increase as it sprouts into an on going harvest. Yes, God has been dancing through students at rejoice Ministries for several years. With the current enrollment of seventy two students God is dancing through one hundred forty four little feet. I think He likes it!!!!
If you would like to make a donation of time or finances to Rejoice Ministries it will be greatly appreciated. No gift is too small. Patricia did not make a request concerning this or any part of the article. (She read the rough draft before this last paragraph was tagged on) You may send your gift to “Rejoice Ministries, 700 Russell Street, Nashville, TN 37206. If you want to give your time you may E-mail Patricia at patriciacross64@hotmail,com If you have a comment for Patricia concerning her ministry connect with her at her E-mail address. I would also like your comments on this article.