I was born and raised in Eugene, OR. After taking my first dance class at age 13, I was hooked. I began to emerse myself in the dance world, becoming captain of our high school dance team and recipient of multiple awards. As I thought about college, a desire arose to pursue dance as a career. After many rejections and closed doors in my college years, I gave up on that dream. During this time I had turned to a lifestyle of partying, thus taking me down a road of irresponsibility. Consequently after being fired from 2 jobs in a row, I was desperate for change. I wanted something new, something exciting, even went as far as to wish that I could get out of Eugene and start over.

Along came a smooth talking traveling salesman, who convinced me to take a job with him. He co-ersed me with gifts, and promises of a better life. He promised travel to big cities, famous landmarks, even a glamorous vacation to Tahiti. I couldn’t resist. I signed on for a 4 month contract with him, and was so elated to embark on a new journey. I soon found out however, that this man had not hired me for business purposes, he was using me for physical intimacy instead. He manipulated me, making me think I was “special”, when that was far from the truth. He began to isolate me, often not letting me talk to even family. One day he told me “When we get back, we are not in a relationship, in fact, this never happened.” After over 2 months of being in this lifestyle and seemingly with no hope left, I prayed. “God, if you get me home safe, I”ll dance and I’ll dance for you.” The next day, this so called “boss” handed me a one-way plane ticket to Eugene, with no explanation as to why he was sending me home early. God had intervened!

Returning home, even though I was free from his physical and emotional abuse, I found myself searching for things to fill the void that had set in. I turned once again to partying, and experienced a series of unhealthy and even abusive relationships. At the same time, dance had become a regular part of my life, and I had been given the opportunity to teach. Something about teaching the gift of dance to others made me come alive. Slowly, I began to pull away from the destructive lifestyle I was living, though not ready to leave it behind completely. In 2004, I was driving myself and a friend up to Portland to party. It was raining heavily, and I swirved my car to avoid a semi-truck and ended up spinning out of control on the freeway, crashing head on into the median. As I realized what had just happened, and that I was in fact still alive, it became very clear that I couldn’t continue the direction I was headed. God whispered to me, “You’re going one way, and I need you to go the other way.” That night began the journey of turning my life around. I made many attempts to keep my faith but it was a DAILY struggle. I met the most amazing man a short time later, and quickly became friends. Neither of us knowing that within months we would be married, and expecting our first child!

6 years from the day I prayed that desperate prayer to God that I would dance again, I made good on that promise and founded Identity Dance Company. My goal was to create a space where students come to not only grow in dance instruction but in their character and relationship with the Lord. Our dance company creates productions that through dance and drama, bring honor and glory back to God.

I believe that your sole Identity is in Christ, and what you do with that is the purpose for which God has created you. I began sharing my testimony publicly in 2016, and since then have had the privilege of traveling to churches, schools, prisons and numerous venues raising awareness about sex trafficking, and preaching God’s message of hope. I am married to my best friend and love of my life, with whom I share 3 beautiful children, who keep us on our toes! We love to travel and spend our time like any other typical family: shuttling kids to soccer and dance and balancing family time with life in general. I believe there is as much potential for success in our home life as there is in our vocation or ministry. And ironically enough, my love for parties and socialization, has turned into a successful events business where I LOVE to throw and plan parties for birthdays, showers, corporate businesses, you name it! Proof that God can turn anything around!

Welcome to One Eighty, where its never too late to turn your life around!

Blessings,
Lindsey Cooper