Testimony
I was trying to find a dance studio for my daughter, Jayci. I visited many studios in the DFW area. They just did not feel right, even the “Christian” studios did not feel right for her. I did not feel peace about my daughter learning the beauty of dance from the studios in the area. I wanted my daughter to be in an environment that loved kids, taught values, and truly embodied the Christian life. I did not want her to wear immodest costumes, dance to provocative music or learn suggestive dance moves. She was only 3 at the time but I ended up pulling her out of every studio. I continued to pray about where she was supposed to go and where I wanted to invest my time and money. God started a stir in my heart to open my own studio. I prayed and prayed. Finally, I just gathered up the neighborhood kids and my friends’ kids and asked my church if they would let me rent space from them one night a week. I had 2 classes, one for preschool kids and the other for elementary kids. I asked the parents to pay enough tuition just to cover the rent. I started with 15 kids. We performed at Mayfest and other local events. The budget was very slim so I looked for everything discounted and different opportunities to perform and get our name out. Now that I had a few kids and a location, the struggle began to name my studio. I wanted something with a T in it so that I could turn it into a cross. I finally came up with United. I was not sold on it at first, but I kept reading the word “unity” in the Bible. Everything I read was about unity through Christ. Then Romans 15:5-6 came alive “ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
The first year United performed at Mayfest, Lake Arlington Baptist Church, nursing homes, and the Arlington Parade of Lights. I was not able to afford advertising, so I relied on local performances to get the word out. I had been struggling with a long-term injury in my lower back, and I felt like my back pain was going to cause me not to be able to teach, grow my studio and my goal of reaching the community. I continued to pray about what was God’s next step for the business even though I was still in tremendous pain. One day I was washing the dishes and just talking to God and had this overwhelming urgency to call Lake Arlington Baptist Church. They were on my list of churches to call and see about offering dance classes. The Holy Spirit gave me a HUGE nudge to call them. Immediately, I was in touch with the activities director and the doors kept opening. Lake Arlington Baptist Church was on the verge of opening a new recreation facility. God started to diminish the pain in my back and I was able to touch my toes again. I felt because I was obedient that the Lord started to heal my back. Everything fell into place and Lake Arlington opened the door to United. We started advertising together to help get the word out about the beautiful building. I began by holding a summer camp. In the fall of 2005, I used one room 2 nights a week to offer drill team and cheerleading classes to 30 kids. The word got out quickly and I ended that year with about 60 students. I hired my sister Tracie as an assistant to help start classes so I could communicate with the parents and handle administrative duties. I started my first competition team in the fall of 2005 with 5 kids. We attended a few small competitions. In May of 2006 we held our first recital in the Lake Arlington Lifestyle Center.
I had begun praying in January 2006 for a special person to come into my life to build my competition team and allow me to concentrate on expanding the recreational side of United. It had to be someone that was passionate about God and loved investing in kids. In June 2006 I hired Lane Rhodes as my competition director. I knew instantly that she was the one and I shared with her my dreams and vision. Lane joined United just in time to help with summer camps and the Arlington 4th of July parade. United began its 3rd year with 120 kids and using Lake Arlington 3 nights a week. That year United hired Colleen to teach ballet and Amber to assist in the classes. We were starting to quickly outgrow Lake Arlington. I prayed about where to go. I could not afford a big building that would accommodate drill team style classes. I needed a space that resembled a basketball court to help the dancers and cheerleaders to prepare for performances. I was working with realtors and looking at building after building and could not find anything that would work financially or met our needs. I was touring a building in September and ran into an old friend. She asked me what I was measuring. I told her I was figuring out how to make that space a dance studio. She said she worked at Annie’s salon and was just on lunch break. There was nothing to it, just a quick catch up, and that was it. Later that night I received a phone call from her saying her landlord was shutting down their fitness center and wanted to know if I was interested in the space. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. It was a great lease that I could afford. My husband Corey, Lane, and I went and looked at the space the next day. I knew when I walked in the door that this was the building. I signed the lease that day. Construction began in October with the lofty goal of moving in by December 2nd. United parents gathered together and we worked day and night. I had to take out my first business loan to help pay construction costs and just prayed that God would help to pay that loan off one day. Corey worked very hard on the studio to help my dream come true. He laid all the flooring and finished out all the rooms along with trying to keep up with his regular job. We moved in on December 1st and held our first class on December 2, 2006.
United soon took over the space to the left and right of the studio and now has the entire rear wing of Lakewood Shopping Center. United teaches over 300 kids each week and has a competition team of 39. United’s staff of 12 help keep things running smoothly at the studio while allowing teachers to have family time at home. God continues to bless United with great families, staff, kids and a healthy loving environment showing that God come first. United touches lives around the community.
When I look back at the name United and why God gave it to me I know that because of United, people can come from all backgrounds, race, religion, and beliefs and know that we are all united in Christ and represent him. We know that God is in control and all things are possible with him on our side. I am so thankful for my husband Corey and our 3 children who understand my passion and support my ministry.
Angie Meister
Director/Owner