Woman to Watch in 2026: Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers
Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers, founder of Metro Atlanta Dance and Director of Creative Arts at The Father’s House Church, has built her life on a foundation few could have imagined. Growing up in New York City, she endured poverty and homelessness, experiences that shaped her servant heart and instilled a resilience that would carry her through decades of ministry, leadership, and creative work. From the marketplace to the church, she has allowed faith to guide every decision, every step, and every opportunity. “My faith has always been the foundation for everything I do, including my family, career, and interactions with others,” she explains. “As my relationship with the Almighty grew deeper, He opened my eyes, ears, and heart to new inspirations, new opportunities to serve others, and ways to always allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide every action and decision I make.”
Her calling in ministry began fifteen years ago at Faith International Church in Pennsylvania, and it has only expanded since. Dr. Bentley-Ewers recalls, “Opportunities began to arise in serving and leading ministries that allowed my gifts to flourish the same gifts I had been using in the marketplace since graduating from college in 1998 organizational skills, follow-through, building alliances with others, my financial acumen, and the ability to build effective teams.” As she embraced this calling, she also pursued her love for dance, a passion she felt God wanted her to develop for Kingdom purposes. “I started out as a praise dancer in 2011 with no formal dance training or experience but felt that God wanted me to build my dance technique and acumen so I can take it back and use it for His glory in the Kingdom,” she shares.
Over the years, her work in dance has become a ministry in motion. She has trained and mentored countless dancers, her “dance sons and daughters,” helping them grow not just in skill but in character and faith. “Seeing the impact of dance on my students has been phenomenal, with four of my past students now leading praise teams in their own respective churches,” she says. Her vision culminated in September 2024 with the opening of Metro Atlanta Dance in Roswell, Georgia, bringing full circle the promise God gave her when she began as a young praise dancer to build the technique and lives of others in the Kingdom, her community, and the world.
Dr. Bentley-Ewers also extends her influence beyond dance. From providing financial literacy courses to organizing community events that offer healthcare resources, she ensures that her work leaves women and families in a stronger position spiritually, financially, and emotionally. “My intent is always to leave that individual or family in a better position, financially, knowledge-wise, and spiritually, than where they began,” she explains. Her role as Director of Creative Arts allows her to form alliances with dancers, studio owners, and creatives, creating a ripple effect that strengthens both her community and the Kingdom at large.
Balancing faith, family, and ministry is a dance in itself, yet Dr. Bentley-Ewers has learned to manage it with intentionality and trust. “Faith and family comes first, and I believe as we serve God according to His will and our purpose, our ministry work and business will naturally flow from that. The key is to keep God first and have faith that He will guide your day and your life,” she says. Surrendering daily to God’s plan has been transformational for her, and it is advice she hopes other women will embrace in their own journeys.
The women who have inspired Dr. Bentley-Ewers along the way form a tapestry of leadership, mentorship, and vision. From Pastor Terry Lynch, Elder Amelia Wood, and Elder Claire Carter, to her former dance leader Keshia Hoskins Simmons and DiPA Dance owner LaShaun Dodds, she draws encouragement from those who lead with purpose and servitude. “All of these women have inspired me through their leadership, their servitude to their church and community, and their commitment to see others succeed and be the best they can be. Last but never least, I want to mention my mother, a woman of God who has always aspired to do better in life with her entrepreneurial spirit, which has always inspired me to level up and do better in life. Love you Mum and love you all!”
Through it all, Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers hopes her legacy will reflect God’s presence in every interaction, relationship, and opportunity. “I hope to leave a legacy of building relationships and alliances that align with God’s purpose for my life while incorporating all that God is into everything I touch His peace, His love, His reconciliation, and His joy. If I can impart that in every interaction, business and otherwise, fulfilling my God-given purpose, then I have done all I can do, and that is my legacy.”
Dr. Janet Bentley-Ewers is a 2026 Woman to Watch because she has combined faith, creativity, and leadership into a life that transforms individuals, inspires communities, and glorifies God.
This story appears in the Spring 2026 issue of TODAY’S PURPOSE WOMAN.
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