Meet the AP Board: Kim Holsopple

Over the next few months, we’ll introduce you to everyone behind the scenes at Ancient Path – from the Board of Directors which meets monthly here in Ohio to the African Directors and team members doing the tough day to day work in Malawi and Madagascar.

This month, meet Kim Holsopple – in her own words.

Name: Kim Holsopple

Personal info: I’ve been married to my husband Gary for 20 years this May. We have two sons, Aaron, age 14 and Joshua, age 13.

Work/Vocation: I’m the Ancient Path Administrative Director and the AP Board Secretary. I am also a trained dancer and dance instructor.

Films I like: I enjoy action and adventure – and science fiction

Music I like: My tastes vary – everything from classical to Christian alternative

Books I like: A Chance to Die by Amy Carmichael, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boon, Slave: My True Story by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis.  There was another about a woman growing up during the Chinese Revolution, but for the life of me I can’t remember the title. Anyway, it was excellent.

Books I’m currently reading: The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer and Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans

A quirky trait: I find that I count stairs as I walk up and down them.  I have also found that I repeat the license plate of the car in front of me in my head while sitting at lights. I have no idea why I do either of these! But you ask for quirky, you get quirky….

Embarrassing moment: Falling flat on my behind while dancing a Story of Love performance in Madagascar on an old, uneven, very slippery wood stage. ( Editorial note: We have no idea how Kim managed to dance at all on that particular surface. She fell so gracefully, I doubt anyone in the audience even noticed. But oh, did we have fun viewing the video when we returned home. Rewind, pause, rewind,pause, rewind. The stuff of legends.)

Favorite quote: Dance is the hidden language of the soul – Martha Graham

Favorite places I’ve traveled: Each place I’ve gotten to travel is unique in its own way so it’s hard to choose a favorite.  I have been impacted greatly by all the countries I’ve been able to travel to: South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, and Switzerland.

Favorite life experiences: I have a few so it’s hard to narrow down to only one.

1.   Walking out of a Russian orphanage with our then 15 month old adopted son Aaron.

2.   The birth of our son, Joshua.

3.   Standing in the midst of the South African cast singing “One by One” during the finale of “Cries of the City” on opening night in Pietermartizburg, South Africa.

Favorite things to do: I like to dance, spend time with my boys & husband, and crochet

Favorite phrase: This may not be my favorite phrase but I say it often enough: “5,6,7,8…”

Life Scripture: Not sure I have just one for my whole life but these are two important ones for me:

1. Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

2. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God;”

How I first got involved with Ancient Path and why I choose to serve God through this organization.

I first got involved with Ancient Path by attending weekly prayer mtgs. The first major project I worked on with AP was choreographing for & dancing in “Cries of the City” in South Africa in 2000.  After that, I wanted to continue to volunteer my time doing what I was able to in the office so I started when my kids were very small by giving a ½ day a week.  As my kids grew and started school, my volunteer time increased as did my responsibilities.  I am currently Administrative Director and Board Secretary.

Why/how is dance relevant to your Christian journey?

Dance is one way I connect with God.  I believe that dance can be used to worship God, pray to God and intercede to God.  It can also be used by God to bring His truths to others and it’s a way to allow the Holy Spirit to touch others.  For me, I believe God has called me to reclaim technical dance for His Kingdom.  I believe it honors God when dancers train and study their art all the while considering what music, movements and costuming will also honor God.  I believe that all forms of dance, ballet to hip hop, can be done in such a way that honors God. Dance can release joy and freedom when done correctly – and with dancers who have pure and humble hearts.