Members of the Hispanic women’s ministry at The Salvation Army in Middletown, N.Y., have been enjoying weekly Zumba classes for the past year.

The Hispanic women’s ministry, led by Enid Ortiz, has offered several activities for members, including bingo, crafts, and jewelry-making, as everyone engages in Christian fellowship.

When Orlando Torres, a community health outreach coordinator for Orange County, N.Y., and a licensed Zumba instructor, offered to teach it at the corps more than a year ago, the women kicked up their heels for the idea. Zumba is a Latin-inspired fitness dance program. But in this class, Orlando incorporates different aspects of prayer and worship.

The church pastor, Captain Andrew Allen said About 75% to 80% of the people coming to the corps for social services speak Spanish and are invited to Zumba.

People may come to the corps for social services, but the church tries to connect everyone they can to experience meaningful Christian fellowship.

Captain Allen said “We have seen a big crossover from social services to getting involved in the Hispanic women’s ministries program. Many women who come to that program also volunteer at the corps during the day to help with food pantry and things like that.”