If man is the crown of God's creation, then ballet offers one of the most exquisite artistic means of communicating that truth. Kathy Thibodeaux, artistic director and founder of Ballet Magnificat! certainly believes that. In fact, her desire to see dance restored to the church for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ led her to begin the very first Christian ballet troupe in the country. From start to finish God is indeed glorified through every graceful movement and gesture.

Kathy Denton Thibodeaux was only six when she began ballet lessons, along with her three sisters. Kathy, the oldest, however, was the sibling who took to it immediately, fell completely in love, and counted every sacrifice and rehearsal as pure joy. As a little girl, she knew she wanted to dance, and she knew she had the passion and the drive to become a real ballerina. Her ambitions never waned through the teen years and afterward when she became the principal dancer with the Jackson Ballet Company (later Ballet Mississippi). With instructors like Albia Kavan and Rex Cooper, then Thalia Mara -- Kathy took advantage of every opportunity to develop her gift.

Dancing continued after her marriage to Keith Thibodeaux in 1976. Keith's childhood had included fame as Little Ricky on the I Love Lucy show, but it was his phenomenal musical talent that landed him a job as drummer with David and the Giants, one of the most popular rock bands of the era. Prior to meeting Kathy, Keith had battled drugs, depression, and issues about his own childhood as a product of a broken home. He had found healing and answers through faith in Jesus Christ, and he constantly shared those insights with Kathy -- who also had issues about a broken home and the death of her younger sister in a car accident a few years earlier. The pair found they had much in common, and both were committed to the concept of a marriage that really did last till "death do us part." They both laugh today when they express total understanding of their parents' initial panic when they announced their wedding plans. They married three months after they met!

"I knew she was the one 27 years ago," says Keith, "and I know Kathy is still the one for me today."

The members of David and the Giants, one by one, came to accept Christ, and over a period of years changed their venue from the night club scene to the church circuit where concerts became worship services. It was in fact at a David and the Giants concert in Laurel that Kathy surrendered her life to Christ.

There were some who thought that dance and Christian ministry were totally incompatible. Kathy, however, continued to ask God to show her how she might use her talent for him. In the late 1970's, dance was simply not an avenue most people associated with God. Kathy admits that she asked God to show her if He wanted her to give up dancing.

It was in 1982 when the second International Ballet Competition was held in Jackson. Who but principal dancer Kathy Thibodeaux would have a better chance to represent the host city? Kathy was on the threshold of a dream come true. As a vibrant Christian -- her newly found faith was hard to hide. The Lord occupied more than a little compartment in her heart. She knew that no matter what, she had to communicate through her performance his place in her life. She decided that should she make it to the final competition, she would dance to Sandi Patty's "We Shall Behold Him."

Those who were advising her -- the directors at Ballet Mississippi -- were skeptical. They knew that Kathy was a serious competitor. How afraid they were that her choice of music might totally destroy her chances for a medal. After all, some of the judges were openly atheists. There were times when you just can't pretend NOT to know what you know. This was one of those times for Kathy Thibodeaux. With total peace in her heart, she chose to stick with the Sandi Patty song -- let the chips fall where they may -- and put her future in the hands of God.

All of Jackson knows what happened next. Kathy Thibodeaux was awarded the Silver Medal-- our own Kathy Thibodeaux -- now a name known internationally in ballet circles. Having won such an award in an international competition meant that the offers came from literally everywhere. Kathy's heart, however, belonged to the Lord, and she was more excited about the doors He might open right here in Jackson.

Four years later, Kathy chose not to renew her contract with Ballet Mississippi. Instead, she had an idea and a vision, and she was ready to take a leap of faith. She had mentioned to a few people that she had thoughts of starting a Christian ballet company. Even her closest friends were skeptical. What a radical plan! However, as soon as the news hit the streets that Kathy had left the ballet, her phone began to ring. She had offers from people she did not even know who offered their services. Belhaven even offered studio and office space. Simply by word of mouth, three more trained ballerinas from other parts of the country appeared, and the first bookings began to come in. In a few short months, with four professional dancers, Ballet Magnificat! was filling up their calendar!

The inspiration for the name comes from Luke 1:46 where Mary praises God over the news that she will be the mother of Jesus. "My soul doth magnify the Lord." Magnifying the Lord is the aim of all that transpires in the teaching, the ministry, and the performing at Ballet Magnificat! In the school itself, there are more than 350 children enrolled. The youngest students are three-year-olds, and the oldest students are grandmothers! Students have come from as far away as Russia to study here. God continues to show favor to Kathy's dream. "We feel like God has called us to make disciples. That's what we hope to do with the school. Our students come and they get Bible Study, dance, prayer -- teachers love the kids and love the Lord. We know that all of our students will not dance professionally, but if we can encourage them to be all that they can be for God -- then we have fulfilled our main mission. Hopefully, we teach much more than technique. We want our student to know Jesus."

There are three different traveling and performing groups at Ballet Magnificat! The "main tour" group consists of 14 dancers who travel all over the world. The #2 company tours regionally -- including a 3 week sting in Branson in early December. Touring group #3 does most of its ministry in the Jackson area concentrating on nursing homes, churches, and schools. Never did Kathy envision such a broad ministry. Ballet Magnificat! began on a shoestring and today has a budget of $1,000,000. Every summer they host an intensive workshop for teachers and students who come from many nations. Average attendance is around 400. They are a non-profit ministry funded by donations. Kathy says, "God is good."

Kathy is a quiet and humble lady who says that God has been extremely gracious in allowing her to dance with the same energy, enthusiasm, stamina, and technique she displayed twenty years ago. And there is still a light in her eyes as she dances. You can't miss it, and you'll know immediately that it comes from the one for whom she dances.