Sacred Movement, Living Worship

A conversation with Elaine Chan on dance, calling, and creating spaces where people encounter God through movement.

Behind the gathering was Elaine.

An Invitation to Witness

When Elaine Chan invited me to photograph Dance Assembly 2025, I immediately said yes.

The gathering was a full-day event. I arrived early in the morning, and the conference continued until the evening.

At that time, I did not fully know what to expect. I am not particularly familiar with dance, nor do I usually follow it closely. But I was grateful for the opportunity to witness the event through the lens of my camera.

Throughout the day, dancers moved across the space with a quiet sense of purpose. Their movements were fluid, expressive, and deeply intentional. What I had expected to be a performance began to feel like something more than that.

By the time the day drew to a close, the atmosphere in the room had changed.

“What I had expected to be a performance began to feel like something more than that.”

A deep sense of peace settled over the space. Joy and warmth filled the room as dancers and participants gathered together at the end of the event. It was a beautiful moment that felt almost heavenly, as though the room had become a place of quiet celebration and worship.

Behind that gathering was Elaine.

Throughout the day, she stayed close to the movement, watching, listening, letting it take shape.

A Calling That Began in 2008

Elaine’s journey into this calling began with a deeply transformative experience in 2008.

That encounter changed the direction of her life and ignited a passion to help people encounter God through the beauty and power of prophetic dance.

What began as a personal calling gradually grew into something much larger. Over the years, she has devoted herself to nurturing dancers who are willing to move not only with skill, but with purpose.

Her vision has always been to raise dancers who understand that movement can carry meaning beyond performance.

Raising a Community of Dancers

Out of that vision, Thread Dance Centre was born.

Thread is a non-denominational community of Christian dancers from different churches who share a common desire to worship God through movement. The centre exists to connect, equip, and encourage dancers who want to grow both spiritually and technically.

Through workshops, gatherings, and collaborations, Thread has become a place where dancers learn how their movement can encourage, comfort, and draw people into deeper encounters with God.

Over the past nine years, Elaine and her team have had the opportunity to work with churches across Singapore and the wider Asian region, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Jakarta, Thailand, and the Philippines.

But at the heart of Thread is something much simpler.

It is a community of people who believe that worship can take many forms, and that dance can become one of them.

What had seemed like performance at first began to feel like something else.

A Personal Connection

My own connection with Elaine began before I photographed Dance Assembly.

In late 2025, as I was developing and planning Made In His Image, she was one of the first people I shared the idea of the project with.

Even at that early stage, when the project was still only forming in my heart, Elaine immediately understood the vision behind it. Her encouragement meant a great deal to me.

Through her, I was also introduced to several dancers from the Thread community who later became part of the project. Jessie, Abigail, Joshua & Mirabel (husband and wife) were among those who kindly agreed to share their portraits and reflections for Made In His Image.

"Her encouragement meant a great deal to me."

Looking back now, I realise that her support helped give the project an early sense of momentum.

She had spent years raising dancers who understood that movement could carry meaning beyond performance.

A Conversation About Dance and Calling

Watching Dance Assembly gave me a glimpse of the vision that Elaine carries for dancers and worshippers alike.

It made me curious about the story behind it all.

So I asked her about the journey that led her here, and what it means to lead a community where movement becomes worship.

BEGINNINGS

1. Was there a moment when dance first became meaningful to you beyond simply movement or performance?

I once danced prophetically at an evangelistic event. My senior pastor later shared that as I entered the stage, he cupped his hands and knelt through the entire dance. It was then that I first understood what it means to carry God’s presence.

2. When did you realise that dance could carry something deeper than technique?

As a dance student, I discovered that to communicate emotion or concept through dance, I must bring deliberate intention and concentrated focus.

Dance is sharing God’s heart through movement. It carries a message and a whole lot of love for the people receiving it.

3. In 2008 you experienced something that changed the direction of your life. Would you be willing to share what happened and how that moment shaped the path you are walking today?

In 2008, I went to Bethel Church in Redding, California with colleagues to attend the Supernatural School of Worship and the Arts. During one class, my dance teacher asked me to dance what the Lord had put in my heart. I was terrified, even though I was a professional dancer. I prayed quietly, “God, please tell me what is in your heart.”

As the music began to play, the Lord showed me a vision of a woman carrying a baby. As I danced the vision, I saw in the spirit the woman crying and committing her baby to the Lord, and God collecting her tears. It felt like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t understand what was going on. Why did it feel so real?

“This dance… is for someone in this room,” I told my teacher with certainty after the dance was over. I looked around but didn’t feel it was for my classmates. My teacher smiled and walked on without saying anything.

“This dance… is for someone in this room,”

I went to the prayer house and heard the Lord clearly: “Go ahead and cry, don’t hold back.” I stopped and wondered why I needed to do that. Very quickly, I found a spot and sat on the ground. Tears began to roll down my face uncontrollably. My heart was filled with sorrow, but I still could not understand anything. My head knowledge had not yet caught up with my spirit and emotions.

“Go ahead and cry, don’t hold back.”

Two hours later, my husband, who was in Singapore, called to say my beloved grandmother had died. My world collapsed. Popo was like a mother to me. When she died, I felt like a motherless child. I cried myself to sleep and woke when my pillow became too wet.

A couple of mornings later, I received a revelation: the woman in the vision was my grandmother and the baby was me. Popo had been asking God to take care of me because it was time for her to go. That revelation brought so much healing. You can imagine how broken and yet comforted I was at the same time.

I was invited to minister on Bethel’s stage one evening. The dancers were preparing while I stood toward the back. A girl knelt beside me the whole time I waited; I just knew in my heart that she was interceding for me.

As I stood in surrender, a sense of joy blew on my face like a gentle breeze. I didn’t understand how anyone in pain could feel joy; I felt conflicted and guilty for experiencing it. I was consumed by this unexplainable experience.

Suddenly, the dance leader walked toward me and said, “It’s your turn now!” I sought the Lord for what was on His heart. Soon, I found myself twirling and releasing what God had dropped in my spirit.

The worship leaders sang a spontaneous line over and over: “You are the heart’s cry of every nation.”

The dance became a prophetic release of God’s reign and power in Asia. In that instant, I knew God had given me an assignment and would open doors beyond Singapore for me to minister.

And thousands of miles away, Popo was cremated.

I began to understand the saying, “You are the strongest when you are at your weakest.” I am thankful that God walked with me during that devastating time and showed Himself strong.

Every gift has a purpose. Every trial is a lesson. Every testimony is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and love.

This is how my prophetic dance journey began. God used movement and revelation to bring healing. May my life be a vessel worthy of holding that purpose and bringing glory to His Name.

“Dance is sharing God’s heart through movement.”

THE CALLING

4. Today you lead Thread Dance Centre, which brings together dancers from many churches. How did the vision for Thread begin?

In late 2016, the Lord gave me an assignment: to impart the gift of prophetic dance to others. I replied, “Lord, I have no support, no money, no space, and no one to work with. If You want this to happen, You will have to bring the people.”

I gathered six dancers from three different churches. We had a picnic, turned on worship music, and began worshipping through dance on the beach. I did not plan a formal program for teaching prophetic dance. I was led simply to bring people together to worship and build relationships. Those monthly gatherings continued for a year.

In 2017, the dancers from six churches united as a team and formed Thread Dance Centre. That year, we ran Throneroom sessions, the first prophetic arts and dance conference in Singapore.

Thread exists to connect, equip, and resource dancers. We are a holding space where people encounter God, are stretched and nurtured, and form deep connections so we can stand united as one body.

5. You often describe dancers as “dance warriors”. What does that phrase mean to you?

Jesus is our Commander-in-Chief, and we serve as His warriors. Since we minister through movement, we embrace the name “dance warriors.” Above all, we worship God, not the art form.

DANCE AS WORSHIP

6. Many people see dance primarily as art or performance. How do you help people understand dance as a form of worship?

Rev 4:11

Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power

because you created everything.

Everything came into existence and was created because of your will.

We are created for God’s pleasure; therefore, it is important to dance and create dances that please and glorify God.

Quote

“Dance is sharing God’s heart through movement. It carries a message and a whole lot of love for the people receiving it.”

7. When someone moves in prophetic dance, what do you believe is happening spiritually?

Prophetic dancers learn to dwell in God’s presence, seek His heart, and partner with the Holy Spirit to deliver what is in His heart to His people. As a prophetic dance is being delivered, I believe God brings about a change in the spiritual atmosphere that may lead people into repentance, thanksgiving, intercession, healing, and restoration. I also believe that revival occurs in the body, mind, spirit, and soul of believers, whether individually or corporately.

COMMUNITY AND FORMATION

8. Thread Dance brings together dancers from different churches and even different countries. What have you learned about community through this work?

Every dancer and dance ministry is at a different stage in their journey. What we can provide may not always meet everyone’s needs. We do not aim to please everyone but to be available for God to open doors for us to work together in ways that help us grow as a community of worshippers using movement to minister. Beyond providing classes and organising conferences, we aim to connect with and build relationships among people so we can share new experiences and encourage one another.

9. When dancers train at Thread, what are you hoping they grow into beyond technical skill?

I hope our dancers and participants learn to care for their bodies, understand that God is pleased with our worship, and know that He will meet us where we are. While we pursue a spirit of excellence in what we do, we do not need to strive for perfection, compete with others, or prove “we can.”

They were not there to perform, but to worship.

MOMENTS THAT STAY

10. Over the years you have led workshops and gatherings across Singapore and the wider Asian region. Is there a particular moment during these years that has stayed with you?

In 2023, while teaching in Taiwan, the Lord impressed on my heart to change that day’s class content. He wanted to minister to people who were dealing with unforgiveness. It took courage to announce the change, but I wanted to be obedient.

When I started the music and led the class into a time of releasing forgiveness, a visually impaired woman in my class began wailing; she wailed throughout the class. I felt a shift in the spiritual atmosphere. Her release opened the way for others to let go and pour out. God’s presence was so strong that I knew we had all encountered Him deeply.

After I returned to Singapore, she sent me a 400-word testimony about how God healed her through that experience.

"Her release opened the way for others to let go and pour out."

I was once again reminded that God is a God of transformation. When we partner with Him, we witness His power and love.

11. During events like Dance Assembly, the room often carries a unique atmosphere. From your perspective, what happens in those moments when worship through movement fills the space?

In those moments, people experience a deep sense of freedom to worship without judgment. The atmosphere becomes one of unity and surrender. Regardless of age, gender, or dance experience, everyone focuses solely on worshipping the One who gave them the passion and ability to dance.

PERSONAL JOURNEY

12. How have your husband, children, and your team at Thread supported you along the way?

My family releases me to do the work I am called to do and chips in wherever they can. My children came to support Dance Assembly last October. I am especially thankful to my husband for supporting my dreams and calling. He is very hands-on with our children and takes care of all our needs.

I have a very supportive team. They pour out their time, gifting, and efforts to serve and support one another. I am thankful they are mature and God-loving people.

FAITH AND PURPOSE

13. What do you believe God is doing through dance in this generation?

More than just putting on good performances, I believe God is raising up dancers to know their identity and calling. Dancers are not technicians but artist-priests who carry God’s presence; He uses dance, a creative language that conveys a powerful message and touches lives, as a means to bring people to His heart.

14. If someone watching a worship dance for the first time feels something stirring in their heart, what would you hope they discover in that moment?

I hope they can see a dancer worshipping with honesty, liberty, and joy, the kind of expression you show when someone is in love. This reflects the dancer’s relationship with God, and I hope it sparks interest in those watching.

She gets excited, waiting to see what God will do in the time they spend together.

15. Looking back on the journey so far, what are you most grateful for today?

I have never lost the joy of teaching a single class or meeting my team. In fact, I get excited and cannot wait to see what God will do in the times we spend together. I am thankful that God keeps this excitement in me. As a cancer survivor, being alive each day makes it even more meaningful and precious.

Made In His Image

You are made perfectly. Loved deeply. Never beyond hope.

Visit the Made In His Image project at: madeinhisimage.life