We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michele Rucker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michele, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

To simplify the mission of Dancing on the Promise Ministries International, I will say we aim to educate, empower, activate and release. Our mission is to facilitate the emergence of one’s purpose by educating them in their Kingdom identity, empowering them to move out in faith to accomplish what they were put on earth to do. Finally, activating, or introducing them to opportunities that will allow them to work in set purpose. Eventually, businesses will be started, schools open, new careers launched, or book written. We begin with an individual to impact a family to transform a community to move forward a city to change a world.

Why? You ask what the story behind the mission is. Well, the story is I was once someone who did not know my true identity. To get love or approval I became whatever someone needed me to be. I took on the identity I needed to fit in. It made my life miserable. The truth was I would never fit in because I was not true to who I was. That was a reality I did not come to until I gave me life to Christ. It was studying the Word of God that I was introduced to the real Michele.

The crisis of our society stems from the lack of identity. And in truth, the hypocrisy that has been experience, in the congregations across America, is rooted in a lack of identity. We have allowed society, leaders, circumstances, and those close to us to dictate who we are. We allow the pressures of being relevant, influential or wealthy to cause us to wrong decisions that go against who we really are. Then the focus is placed on the behaviors, economic situation to make the determination of who they are, their destiny. We do not want to examine the root cause like background, limitations, up bringing to see why the behavior is. Behavior is learned. Adjust the thinking on inside to see a notable transformation on the outside. The scripture verse “whatever a man thinketh so is he” effects both point of captivity and freedom.

I stated earlier that I came into my true self when I became a believer. Great mentors partnered with the Bible helped me blossom into the woman I am today. Their mentorship taught me how to encourage myself, how to read the Bible to live and to lead. The Bible became the blueprint for my life. When I need to be reminded of who I am, I went to Bible to read what God says about me. He reminds me that I am the head and not the tail. That I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. There are many more gems like that in the Bible about each one of us.

I could not keep this precious gift of identity (individuality) to myself. In 1999, I began to pour this truth into young girls in my living room. I used the vehicle of dance to impart God’s love for them, confidence and gift of dance. I was able to move in purpose in the area of my desire to dance. DOP Institute for Kingdom Living not only use the vehicle of dance but has branched out into other areas of the arts coupled with Christian education. In addition, we have the Pursuit Mentoring program. Pursuit is a six-month program designed to take you from identity to launch. For example, one will come into the program not knowing what their purpose is, only to discovery a passion for seniors then eventually opening an assist living facility. I have had great testimonies over the years.

When someone is not sure of what they are created for, they will spend years in a job they do not love. They will stay in toxic relationships believing they can’t have better. In essence, we settle for what we are told and will not strive for greater.

We are precious to God. He has designed a good life for us all who are willing to trust Him. Jeremiah 29:11 spells it out for us
“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When I made the decision to believe Him, my thinking changed. Then my life changed. I could no longer be labeled by anyone but God.

Because my life was changed. My story became my push to help others to experience their true identity. You can call me the “Identity Coach”. My mission is YOU.

Michele, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Michele Rucker is a wife, mother, author, minister of dance and an ordained Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I came to live Atlanta over thirty years ago through a divine move of God. I did not know my life was about to change forever. I spent many years being developed, trained and equipped to live a life of great purpose.

As a willing vessel, I am sent to teach, edify, and equip people to live, laying the foundations of the Word to unlock the destinies of those I encounters. This call is serious to me. I want to impact the world one individual at a time. I continue to mentor individuals throughout Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona. My love for the Lord commits me to this service. It is this commitment that gave way to the opening of the Institute (formally Empowerment Center) and Apostolic Hubs to educate, empower, activate, and release Kingdom leaders with power, rightly dividing the Word of God.

Dancing on the Promise raises up effective, anointed, word driven Kingdom citizens. The Insitute provides online classes, mentorship, bi-weekly Leadership classes and quarterly events to empower and launch people into a greater purpose.

I experience great joy in empowering God’s people to be all they are ordained to be. But I especially enjoy ministering before the Lord in dance. God told me to show them the joy of His Presence, through dance and teaching, you get to experience Him.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice to managing a team and maintaining high morale is to be consistent, integral and approachable. You are there to be your team’s best friend. You are influencing their thinking and actions by your words and response to situations. Lead them in truth. You cannot lead with emotions. If things are challenges in the business, you do not have to tell all, but you can be honest with them. Empower them to come up with ideas or offer help. Sometimes, we tend to limit our team by not letting them out of the box. You always have more talent within the talent. Don’t be afraid to explore the potential that may be in the room.
When your team sees their input is valued, you will see the morale spike.

Managing is working through people to accomplish a set goal. It is not controlling or manipulating the end goal.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with my clients by sending encouraging messages to them when they come to my mind. I also try to remember important days in their lives to celebrate with them or comfort them. People love to be valued as people not dollar signs. You have to let them know they mean more to you then business. This will foster brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dopempowerment.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele_rucker
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DancingPromise
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rucker-15b56221
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@dancingonthepromiseministr403
• Other: https://linktr.ee/apostlemichelespeaks

Image Credits

Protected Essence Photography