Chessie Cunningham

From the age of two, Chessie has loved to dance. Seeing this passion early on, her parents enrolled her in dance classes to nurture her gift. As she grew in both technique and theatricality, what started as a childhood love blossomed into a calling.


Chessie once dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, but God had other plans. An unexpected injury brought heartbreak and disappointment, and for a time, she believed her dance career was over before it even began. But God, in His goodness, took what was broken and repurposed it for His glory. He has blessed her with the gift of dance, and now she uses it to lead and inspire others.


What began as teaching a few young girls after school has become a ministry of movement and worship. Today, Chessie leads a team of dancer teachers, two of whom were her very first students and now teach alongside her.


Her passion goes far beyond the choreography. Chessie pours her heart into every part of the performance—from set design and costumes to the smallest details—because she not only loves dance, she loves her dancers. She teaches them that dance is more than performance; it’s a way to express joy, creativity, and worship. It’s okay to be silly, to make mistakes, and to laugh along the way. She is a shining example of grace, joy, and dedication. Whether it’s offering a warm hug when someone misses their mom during the 1 hour class or helping them find laughter in a missed step, Chessie leads with love—on and off the stage.


Chessie is also an alumni of 91st Psalm Christian School and now teaches high school science, sharing her love for learning with a new generation of students. She met her husband Seth while attending the school, and together they serve faithfully on the worship and media teams.


Chessie often says that she couldn’t bring the beauty and impact of the masterpiece performances to life twice a year without Seth’s constant love and support. Whether it’s hosting dance team parties at their house, helping behind the scenes, or running sound during shows, Seth plays a vital role in sharing her vision and passion for dance with the next generation.


Today, they represent the next generation of faithful, God-loving servants—continuing to showcase His faithfulness here at SouthGate.

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