Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilia Barreto.
Hi Ilia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m puertorican , and I arrived in Fort Worth in 2016 as a Pastor and Director of a Christian Dance Ministry and SchooI . I started with very little; at that time, I was barely teaching online, and with a stable team in Puerto Rico, we communicated via zoom and little by little, we became known. Here in Fort Worth, there weren’t any christian dance ministries; it was hardly ever discussed. I can say that I was the first Spanish-speaking pioneer to establish a dance school with biblical, christ-centered foundations. Today, after 10 years, we have activated hundreds and hundreds of dancers in this community and in different states across the country.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like everything, there are always ups and downs. The financial aspect has been a challenge for us because we are a non-profit ministry. As Pastor, I believe many of the events we hold are free so we can bless the community, but nothing is truly free. So, the challenge will always be financial support. What I can attest to is that God always blesses us. We impact lives through biblical teachings, arts, and dance. We bring a message to families in this city, lifting up those who need a word of encouragement in difficult times. We will always encounter challenges, but we know we can always count on the support of our faith in God in many areas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as a secretary in a High School at EMS ISD. I love my job; seeing young people grow year after year until they graduate from high school is incredible. My hobby, on the other hand, is serving the community. Every Monday, a group of women and I meet to support each other. Dance has been an oasis for many of these women who come burdened, perhaps with problems. We promote dance as a tool for worship, and it has been an opportunity to help and complement each other as a Christian Dance School. At Avivafire Dance School DFW, we bless one another and learn through dance that in God there is a joy that no one else can steal.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I recently released my latest book in Spanish, “Mujer, Ponta tu Mirada en El” (Woman, Your Eyes on Him), a book that impacts a woman’s inner healing. I’m sharing the website avivafire.com where you can find several of my books. We offer online classes for leaders, online classes for dancers, and in-person classes in Fort Worth for youth and adults. We also offer workshops for women, conferences, and dance workshops in churches.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Avivafire.com
- Instagram: Avivafire
- Facebook: Avivafire
- Youtube: Avivafire
Image Credits
We thank Jerusalem Temple Church for the facilities where we were able to hold our 2025 Apostolic Summit of Prophetic Worship in December. These photos of us dancing in purple costumes were taken in this beautiful church. We hold this event every year as the closing event for our school, and many families join us to receive a message. We not only dance but also have guest speakers who minister the word of God. A great end-of-year event, without a doubt.
