When Rosa and Michael were first called to The Gathering, they had no idea just how perfectly their arrival would complete the puzzle. Sent as missionaries by Apostle Rusi, the moment was nothing short of divine orchestration. “It felt like a missing piece had finally snapped into place,” Michael recalls. “God had already spoken—we just didn’t know the whole picture yet.”
That moment marked the beginning of a deeply personal and public ministry that has transformed not just Rosa and Michael, but the culture of The Gathering as well.
A New Sound, A New Movement
Before Rosa and Michael’s arrival, The Gathering had never seen worship dance woven into its regular services. Special occasion performances had occurred, but nothing like the dynamic, Spirit-led dance ministry that now infuses worship with movement and meaning.
“We’re not dancing to entertain,” Rosa explains. “We’re dancing prophetically. Through each movement, God speaks.”
Michael, once a martial artist and former bodyguard, adds, “It’s not just choreography—it’s spiritual warfare. Every step is a declaration, every gesture a battle cry.”
Their ministry uses colors, fabrics, flags, tambourines, and symbolic uniforms—each carrying deep prophetic meaning. The dance team, which includes over two dozen members across several churches, has developed strict spiritual and practical disciplines, such as mandatory mid-week rehearsals and arriving early to every service. “We’re not just moving to music,” Rosa says, “we’re listening to the Holy Spirit and responding.”
From Darkness into Light
Michael’s journey to this place was anything but conventional. Raised in a violent and spiritually dark environment, he was deeply entangled in the occult and tormented by spiritual oppression from a young age. But in a moment of divine intervention, God spoke directly to him, leading him out of darkness.
“The Holy Spirit told me, ‘Michael, you’re lost. I’m here to help you,’” he remembers. “I turned on the TV and there was Joyce Meyer pointing at the screen saying, ‘You! The one who just turned on the TV—God is calling you.’ That’s when everything started changing.”
The road from there was filled with resistance—both from within and from the spiritual enemy he’d spent a lifetime unknowingly serving. But God surrounded him with leaders, teachings, and ultimately Rosa, who became both his wife and ministry partner.
Dancing with the Divine
For Rosa, dance was always in her bones—even before she gave her life to Christ. But after surrendering her gifts to God, something beautiful happened.
“Zephaniah 3:17 tells me that God dances with me,” she says with tears in her eyes. “So when I dance, I know I’m not alone. I’m worshiping with Him.”
Rosa shared how she once wrote a song for the Holy Spirit over a decade before her return to church. Fourteen years later, she found the song again—and discovered that it had already been published and sung in churches for years. Though her name was never connected to it, she smiled, knowing that God had used her gift to draw many to Himself.
Beyond the Stage: Ministry in Motion
Their calling doesn’t end at the altar. Rosa and Michael are both licensed chaplains, ministering regularly at elderly homes, hospitals, and community events. They also serve in drama productions and are part of the leadership team at The Gathering, often helping with service hosting, fellowship, and hospitality.
Retirement from secular jobs has only increased their availability to serve. “We’re busier in retirement than ever before,” Rosa laughs. “But now, we get to say yes to more ministry.”
The Future of The Gathering
Rosa and Michael carry a bold prophetic vision for the church’s future: growth, revival, and a move of God that transcends language and borders. They believe The Gathering is becoming a bridge between cultures—a place where the Spirit of God moves freely in both English and Spanish.
They’ve prophesied over empty chairs and seen the sanctuary begin to fill. They dream of a permanent building, new ministries, and a growing army of dancers, leaders, and worshipers.
“We’re not here because of people,” Michael affirms. “We’re here for the Lord. But when the people are this loving, and the pastors are this genuine, it just makes you want to keep going.”
A Message for the Broken
Michael’s final words are directed to anyone coming from a troubled past: “If I can change, anyone can. There’s no darkness God can’t break. You just have to keep praying, keep learning, and never quit. Crawl if you have to, but never surrender. God will use you.”
And Rosa adds, “Whether through dance or quiet service, God speaks. He is still moving—and He loves to move with us.”
