The Christian alternative to secular health/fitness clubs
Without a plan to effectively steward the health of the
Christian community, lifestyle related illness, disease and dysfunction
continue to rise, while effective service for God, family and community continues to
decline. WellLIFETM
Centers promote whole person wellness…mind, body and spirit
operating in continual harmony, and a full and balanced expression in
every major area of life - physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual.
The Challenge
Approximately one-seventh of the U.S. economy, about $1.7 trillion, is devoted
to what is erroneously called the “healthcare” business. Healthcare is a
misnomer, as this one-seventh of the economy is really devoted to the
sickness business – defined in the dictionary as “ill health, illness, a
disordered, weakened, or unsound condition, or a specific disease.”
 About
300,000 people a year in the United States die from diseases related to
inactivity. Lack of exercise, poor nutrition and inadequate health education
are the greatest cause of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Currently, 64.5%
of all American adults are overweight, of which 30.5% are obese . . . a national
health crisis.
While the secular
community is sounding the alarm over the evils of obesity, Christian churches
have not gotten the message. Many don’t consider or don’t want to consider that
over eating is a sin as is sexual promiscuity, murder and greed. When it comes
to the fattest of the fat, Christians weigh more than other religious groups and
un-churched people,
according to a 1998 study conducted by Kenneth Ferraro, a
sociologist at the University of Purdue.
Every major medical institution and association in the U.S., including
the U.S. Surgeon General Office, continually urges every American to become more
physically active. Not a week goes by without the release of some new research
report that strengthens the case for the protective power of regular exercise
with respect to almost every chronic illness from which we suffer.
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Our Lack of Wellness can be measured in dollars and
population. We spend $1.7 trillion in the United States each year on
sickness, about 15.3% of every dollar we earn.
Approximately
127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight and unhealthy, 60 million
obese, and 9 million severely obese.
These numbers have doubled over the last few decades and risen
dramatically in just the last five years. |
Over the
last two decades, to meet this un-healthy challenge, the secular marketplace has
opened more than 23,500 health, fitness and wellness centers with 39 million
members in the U.S. The industry is thriving in nations across the globe with
like combined membership numbers. The industry continues to enjoy high growth
and has an initiative to reach 50 million U.S. (100 million worldwide) club
members by 2010, and is on track to achieve that goal.
The Solution
WellLIFETM
Centers (WLC) was born out of
the need to rethink our premise of ministry, providing a platform for a
significant paradigm shift from “meat market” health club franchises, to one
that will really strike a positive accord with the Christian
population…effectively bridging the health club market to a market-place
ministry. WLC offers church-based (consulting services & program licensing) and
free-standing marketplace WellLIFE Centers - solutions to secular health,
fitness, and wellness centers that provide a modest dress code, inspirational music, health and wellness education from a Biblical perspective, and a
wholesome atmosphere.
A
WellLIFETM
Center provides a faith-based alternative to secular health and fitness clubs. Our goal in the church and community is to make people
aware of potential health problems and encourage them to initiate life-long
whole-person wellness solutions... "Educating,
managing & encouraging the Christian to make healthy whole-person lifestyle
choices…promoting optimal health through Biblical principles and a
Christ-centered foundation."
Additionally, to support an exciting
life-changing outreach ministry opportunity for meeting the physical, emotional,
mental and
spiritual needs of local communities.
We are currently developing a complete package, programs,
services, training, education, equipment and resources for
effective Biblically-based Healthy Initiatives within
churches,
and
for community marketplace settings.
The WellLIFETM
program utilizes a comprehensive system of wellness assessment tools,
health education and lifestyle modification programs, group exercise, along with
Biblically-based spiritual motivators that are effectively blended together to
achieve maximum achievable results. Additionally, we utilize a particular
“LIFESteps” system of evidence-based, research-proven behavior-change methods
for the enhancement of long-term adherence.
WellLIFETM Centers are designed to meet the needs of busy professionals, both men
and women, with special programming for the older adult. Dress codes are
modest, music selections are from popular inspirational Christian songs,
Workouts are conducted in groups with specialized equipment that combine
muscular strength, flexibility and cardio-vascular benefit in a quick and
effective 45 minute workout. Optional health risk management education is offered
covering major areas of health concern. Certified WellLIFETM
Coaches provide ongoing positive feedback and encouragement, along with prayer, bible study and a wholesome Christian atmosphere, all
make for a positive experience and effective results.
A WellLIFETM
Center also offers the opportunity for a Health & Wellness Outreach Ministry, as
the un-churched are invited to participate in the health, fitness and wellness
programs, as-well-as Bible study fellowships, thereby exposing them to a
Biblically-based model of health & wellness.
WellLIFETM
CenterS
A Division of Healthy Initiatives
P.O. Box 360388
Columbus, OH 43236
Email
WellLIFE Centers
See Articles on us at the links below
Ministering to Health
Issues - Gospelcom.net
Church ministries merge
fitness with faith - The Journal News.com, Mind & Body
Churches in black
communities get parishioners in shape
- Miami Herald
Faith-Based Health
Clubs Are The Newest Nonprofit Threat - IHRSA CBI
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