Tony Cummings reports on PETRINA DELACY and her groundbreaking vision to bring faith and purity to Los Angeles clubland

Petrina and JB

If you've been a Cross Rhythms listener or reader back in the '90s you'd know all about sanctified dance - a movement emanating largely from Britain with acts like The Worldwide Message Tribe and dBA and pioneering American producer Scott Blackwell bringing the rhythms and sounds of the dance floor to the insular Christian music world. Sanctified dance remained an underground niche within the Church and never broke out to mainstream acceptance and big record sales though the phenomenon was picked up by influential American music industry magazine Billboard who wrote about sanctified dance in a cover story. And it did establish the idea that young Christians could spend hours on the dance floor without imbibing the sexual immorality, drugs and hedonism which sadly is part and parcel of club culture.

Now there is a new name - Los Angeles-based Petrina DeLacy who through Cross Rhythms radio hits like "No Spot", "Get In Shape", "Hundreds Of Blessings" and "Confetti" is exposing again just how wrong-headed conservative elements in the churches are denouncing dance music.

Petrina is so much more than a recording artist. With her husband Justin Berry, otherwise known as JBThaPreacher, she runs a nightclub in Los Angeles. Its website sets out boldly its aims. "Driven by divine inspiration, JB and Petrina embarked on a journey to create a haven for Christians, a space where believers can dance, pray, worship and build lasting connections. Birthed from dreams and fuelled by prayer, our club transcends the conventional, embracing the joy of music, fellowship and spirituality. In this holy sanctuary, experience the transformative power of our prayer room, where pastors impart blessings and prophecies." A prophetic word was very much what started Petrina on a journey which alongside the nightclub has already resulted in two outstanding albums, 2023's 'Life In The Spirit' and 2024's 'God's Princess'.

Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit at age 16 she made significant changes in her life. Her resolve to go God's way was tested. At age 18 she turned down a mainstream record deal "to pursue music for God." Her music journey is supported by her husband who became an audio engineer and built his own business. Asked why their club is called Club 2:17, the couple were typically bold with their explanation. "It stands for Acts 2:17. 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.'"