Want to launch a “Faith Night” or other Christian-faith oriented program at your gym? Registered readers can ask Kristen and Adriene questions, share ideas and network with others on this topic.
Greetings! I just wanted to check and see if there were more Faith and Fitness nights in the planning stages. We have heard from many fitness instructors interested and asking questions about specific planning. A Faith Night in Atlanta is in the process of being launched - I can't wait to hear about it! Keep your eyes and ears open for the proclamation of faith in Jesus in sports (I am finding it weekly in the newspapers, on t.v., radio and web). Faith Night in Yakima, Washington is going strong! We've added a circuit cardio class that is really taking off. People are participating, bringing others and spreading the word. A new idea is in the planning stages: Faith and Fitness Kids! We'll keep you updated. Has anyone done a fitness program for kids? We'd love to hear from you.
Submitted by fitmom3x on Tue, 02/06/2007 - 7:21am.
This is very inspiring for me. I too am a Les Mills instructor and a Faith walkin' Christ following believer. I would love nothing more than to pull together my two passions and continue my ministry in the place where I work. Many of the people that come to my classes, other instructors and management know my faith I just don't know how to pitch it to them. Also, what approach did you use to pitch it to Les Mills?
In the meantime, live boldly, love often and prosperity will find you
Please feel free to contact me directly with any specific questions.
I would love to see faith night spread to other gyms!
Les Mills instructors are passionate individuals to begin with.
Faith walkin' Christ believers (as you say) are very passionate people, period.
What a beautiful combination!!!
One of my favorite words to stand on is Mark 9:23 Jesus said " Everything is possible for him who believes. "
I prayed about contacting Les Mills until the Lord told me move......
then I planted , stood on his word , and waited.
I also prayed that the Lord would bring one instructor onto my path to confirm that there would be one that would stand with me . That moment where the instructor conversation took place was confirmation that the Lord wanted me to proceed. And he would send the help. I would encourage you to say that prayer , for one golden open door to share the idea and dream with a fellow instructor. He will bring them to you.
So.... that was the beginning.
How can I help you with your gym???
I could sing of the Lords goodness all day.....
That is a great place to do this. Here are a few random thoughts...
1. Get a small group together to make it happen. Teamwork makes it easier. Include at least one person from the church leadership.
2. Set a date and make it happen. Too many times, people want to do something but they take way too long to just do it. Don't be sloppy or rush it BUT within two or three months tops you should be able to pilot a Faith Night. Keep it simple and let it be a test. Then evaluate and go from there. Use it as a learning experience.
3. Promote... get others interested and excited.
4. Consider making it outreach oriented. That means not just for church members. To do that well you have to keep it really honest, genuine and something that everyone can truly experience. Remember that people in your community that don't know God are very curious about him. They don't need Christians that put on a good show and try to look perfect. In fact they are far more likely to really think seriously about God if they see that the members of your church deal with the same life issues that they face.
I hope you'll keep researching this. Examples like those in Yakima, WA can be a tremendous resource for you. Faith & Fitness Magazine is here to support you. When you finally do have a Faith Night be sure to take pictures and send us here at the magazine a full report so that we can share it with others.
There is no reason faith night cannot be done in the churches.
It is a ministry opportunity .
As we prayed about where to start faith night in our community we were led to be a little unconventional. That is why we approached the Gym first.
Please let me know what specific questions I can help you with?
I'm wondering if any members at the gym in Yakima have had any negative comments, resistance, or complaints about this faith oriented programming. I think many gym owners and managers do not do these kinds of programs because they are concerned someone will get upset. How can a program like this be done and yet not put the gym in a tricky position?
Faith night in Yakima is advertised outside the gym. Within the gym walls it is participants that are also gym members that spread the word about the evening.
We have a postcard that is handed out at faith night that has the info. on it for the following month and we give them to people as they leave to hand out in their arenas of life.
Faith night is also done after regular gym hours. So in our case we our a group of instructors that are using the facility for the evening to hold an event. That way it does not compete with other regularly scheduled programming. That has helped as you say "not put the gym in a tricky position".
As people have participated and heard about faith night the overall response has been more" How do you exercise faith"?
And we have had more fun and open doors answering that one question.
We praise God from whom all blessings flow,
and BELIEVE:
IS 41:13-14
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
We are never alone and his help is always our shield.
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Faith Nights in the Works?
Greetings! I just wanted to check and see if there were more Faith and Fitness nights in the planning stages. We have heard from many fitness instructors interested and asking questions about specific planning. A Faith Night in Atlanta is in the process of being launched - I can't wait to hear about it! Keep your eyes and ears open for the proclamation of faith in Jesus in sports (I am finding it weekly in the newspapers, on t.v., radio and web). Faith Night in Yakima, Washington is going strong! We've added a circuit cardio class that is really taking off. People are participating, bringing others and spreading the word. A new idea is in the planning stages: Faith and Fitness Kids! We'll keep you updated. Has anyone done a fitness program for kids? We'd love to hear from you.
Blessings!
Press ON!
Adriene
Launching approach
This is very inspiring for me. I too am a Les Mills instructor and a Faith walkin' Christ following believer. I would love nothing more than to pull together my two passions and continue my ministry in the place where I work. Many of the people that come to my classes, other instructors and management know my faith I just don't know how to pitch it to them. Also, what approach did you use to pitch it to Les Mills?
In the meantime, live boldly, love often and prosperity will find you
fitmom reply
fitmom-
Blessings fellow Les Mills instructor!
Please feel free to contact me directly with any specific questions.
I would love to see faith night spread to other gyms!
Les Mills instructors are passionate individuals to begin with.
Faith walkin' Christ believers (as you say) are very passionate people, period.
What a beautiful combination!!!
One of my favorite words to stand on is Mark 9:23 Jesus said " Everything is possible for him who believes. "
I prayed about contacting Les Mills until the Lord told me move......
then I planted , stood on his word , and waited.
I also prayed that the Lord would bring one instructor onto my path to confirm that there would be one that would stand with me . That moment where the instructor conversation took place was confirmation that the Lord wanted me to proceed. And he would send the help. I would encourage you to say that prayer , for one golden open door to share the idea and dream with a fellow instructor. He will bring them to you.
So.... that was the beginning.
How can I help you with your gym???
I could sing of the Lords goodness all day.....
please email me at kaa4him@hotmail.com
Faith Night
Have Faith Nights been done at churches? Our church has a large fitness facility within a gym/Family Life Center. Would really like to pursue this.
Faith Night At Your Church's Family LIfe Center
That is a great place to do this. Here are a few random thoughts...
1. Get a small group together to make it happen. Teamwork makes it easier. Include at least one person from the church leadership.
2. Set a date and make it happen. Too many times, people want to do something but they take way too long to just do it. Don't be sloppy or rush it BUT within two or three months tops you should be able to pilot a Faith Night. Keep it simple and let it be a test. Then evaluate and go from there. Use it as a learning experience.
3. Promote... get others interested and excited.
4. Consider making it outreach oriented. That means not just for church members. To do that well you have to keep it really honest, genuine and something that everyone can truly experience. Remember that people in your community that don't know God are very curious about him. They don't need Christians that put on a good show and try to look perfect. In fact they are far more likely to really think seriously about God if they see that the members of your church deal with the same life issues that they face.
I hope you'll keep researching this. Examples like those in Yakima, WA can be a tremendous resource for you. Faith & Fitness Magazine is here to support you. When you finally do have a Faith Night be sure to take pictures and send us here at the magazine a full report so that we can share it with others.
All the best,
-Brad Bloom
Publisher
faith night in churches
There is no reason faith night cannot be done in the churches.
It is a ministry opportunity .
As we prayed about where to start faith night in our community we were led to be a little unconventional. That is why we approached the Gym first.
Please let me know what specific questions I can help you with?
Kristen Ackerman
Is there resistance?
I'm wondering if any members at the gym in Yakima have had any negative comments, resistance, or complaints about this faith oriented programming. I think many gym owners and managers do not do these kinds of programs because they are concerned someone will get upset. How can a program like this be done and yet not put the gym in a tricky position?
resistance reply
Faith night in Yakima is advertised outside the gym. Within the gym walls it is participants that are also gym members that spread the word about the evening.
We have a postcard that is handed out at faith night that has the info. on it for the following month and we give them to people as they leave to hand out in their arenas of life.
Faith night is also done after regular gym hours. So in our case we our a group of instructors that are using the facility for the evening to hold an event. That way it does not compete with other regularly scheduled programming. That has helped as you say "not put the gym in a tricky position".
As people have participated and heard about faith night the overall response has been more" How do you exercise faith"?
And we have had more fun and open doors answering that one question.
We praise God from whom all blessings flow,
and BELIEVE:
IS 41:13-14
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
We are never alone and his help is always our shield.