Minister Found Shen Yun ‘Inspirational and Uplifting’
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William Burris attended the opening performance of Shen Yun at the Youkey Theatre of the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida, on Feb. 3, 2026. Lily Yu/The Epoch Times
LAKELAND, Fla.—Following a performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts, William Burris said he was deeply moved by the show’s spiritual depth. “Though different people may use different names for the Creator, they represent salvation—getting rid of sin and darkness while keeping the old culture alive,” he remarked.
Mr. Burris, a prominent minister, evangelist, and head of The Latter Rain Ministries, attended the opening night of Shen Yun at the RP Funding Center’s Youkey Theatre in Lakeland on Feb. 3.
“It was very inspirational and uplifting,” Mr. Burris said. “It was about ... salvation, and how we need to bring the old culture back into our society.”
Mr. Burris, who reaches a vast audience through his social media platforms, expressed deep admiration for the Shen Yun performers’ dedication. “I was very blessed to see the uniqueness of how well they danced and performed,” he said. “It was amazing that people could do such great work for us to see and enjoy. It was beautiful.”
He observed that the mastery displayed on stage was the result of the artists’ spiritual discipline. “If these performers were not serious about their dance, we wouldn’t have seen the glory that we saw,” Mr. Burris explained. “But they are so serious about what they do that you cannot deny they have mastered the art. You have to surrender to it.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Now in its 20th year, Shen Yun is once again touring with eight equally large companies, bringing audiences worldwide exhilarating performances that aim to revive China’s divinely inspired culture.
The songs performed during the show touched Mr. Burris personally, reinforcing his belief that a lack of faith leads to societal decay. “Because we are not in the midst of the Creator, we don’t have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, or self-control,” he said. “Because of that, bad things are happening.”
He spoke candidly about the dangers of atheism and the loss of traditional values. “What is seriously going bad is atheism,” he said. “You see the hate, the anger, and the bitterness coming. Without reviving traditional values, we’re doomed.”
The final piece, which depicts the Creator’s salvation during times of peril, was the most moving moment for Mr. Burris. “The moment that touched me most was the Creator coming back,” he said.
“Everybody was praising Him and thanking Him,” he continued, referring to the dance portraying the survivors’ gratitude toward the Creator. “We do have a Creator who can save us in these troubled times. Mankind needs our Creator; without Him, it’s not going to be good.”
Mr. Burris viewed the performance as a universal message of hope and redemption that transcends specific terminology. “They represent salvation. They represent getting rid of sin, wickedness, and darkness, and keeping the old culture alive,” he said.
He concluded by stating that Shen Yun is clearly “blessed by God,” as the performers act as messengers. “They are representing the Creator,” Mr. Burris said, adding that he believes such work will lead to a spiritual awakening.
