Gospel Mime History

Mrs. Donna Darwin Ilochi, a Born Again Christian from the north side, was lying on her bed one evening meditating upon a talent she could do for Parent’s night at the Christian Temple Academy. While listening to a Gospel tape by Larnell Harris and praying, she saw a vision of a person doing creative movements to a gospel song with a white pained face, flowing black clothing loosely fitted and white gloves. She also saw a spotlight upon the person. This was the vision for the mime ministry, but not the same as Marcel Marceau, the founder of mining. Instead, the Lord showed her a mixture of sign language and mime. It was similar to a Hawaiian dance, telling a story with your hands. It was the acting out of words to a song, giving the visual effect. We have been Traditionally preached to and sung to so much, but she saw a need for a different way of communicating the gospel through creative worship called miming. After viewing Mrs. Ilochi’s performances during the year of 1982 at Christian temple church in Pittsburgh, Rev John T. Davidson Jr. who was the Youth Director at Christian Temple church, caught the miming ministry as a tool of ministry for the members of his youth church. With the assistance of Marie Jones, Tracey Williams and Dorian Thomas, Rev. Davidson developed a mime ministry which he later called, The Creative Expressions. Before Rev. Davidson received the call to pastor in McKeesport, Pa, The Creative Expressions Mime Ministry of Christian Temple made several appearances including two television recordings. Rev. Davidson continued his vision for miming in McKeesport, PA.

*Thank you www.praisesinmotion.com*