Solemn to Soulful: Influences of Popular Dance Styles Within Lighthouse Chapel, Ghana

In recent years, Christian worship has experienced considerable transformations, integrating numerous popular dance styles in worship. This transformation points to a growing recognition of the value of embodied worship and dance’s role in expressing devotion, praise, and spiritual connection. As a result, popular dances are becoming more accessible in Christian worship, influencing how Christians see and relate to their faith. This article explores the relationship between dance and Christian worship, specifically how popular dances are accepted and modified in religious settings (Anagkazo Assemblies, Captain of Salvation Cathedral, and Anagkazo Assemblies, The Mediator Cathedral of the Lighthouse group of churches). The study employs the qualitative approach, with the data collection being participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and visual documentation to understand these experiences. The phenomenological design effectively communicates the participants’ experiences with dance in their worship and their ascribed interpretations of the integration. The study explores which trending dance styles are becoming increasingly common in Christian worship, why they are incorporated, and how these activities affect the overall experience and worship atmosphere.