If you browse through the small group or support opportunities at most churches today, you’ll quickly see how well churches are meeting the needs of their congregations. From groups for moms of preschoolers to ministries that help members overcome addiction, battle pornography, or navigate grief and divorce, churches are walking alongside people through some of life’s most difficult seasons.
Across the country, churches are doing an incredible job nurturing spiritual growth, fostering community, and providing the emotional and relational support believers need to grow in their walk with the Lord. But the modern church also faces a silent epidemic—one that threatens the health, joy, and longevity of believers everywhere: poor physical health.
A Growing Health Crisis Among Believers
A 2019 study published in the Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders journal found that 88% of American adults are not considered metabolically healthy. This means the vast majority of adults are living with at least one marker of poor health—such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess body fat, or unhealthy cholesterol levels. The consequences extend beyond adults. The health habits modeled in homes are shaping the next generation.
Today, 40% of children in America are overweight, and nearly one in four teenagers has prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes—conditions once seen only in adults. Children who are obese today face a life expectancy that is up to 13 years shorter than their healthy-weight peers.
Today’s eating and exercise habits are hurting adults and children nationwide and robbing the body of Christ of the healthy, abundant life God desires for His people. God has a design for every area of our lives, including our physical health. He created our bodies to move and to be nourished by the foods He provides.
When we live according to His design, we experience greater peace, strength, and joy. God longs for His people to live abundantly—walking in wisdom and self-discipline rather than being weighed down by habits that harm their health and drain their vitality.
Recognize Health as a Ministry Opportunity
Physical health is not separate from spiritual health—it is an expression of stewardship. God calls His people to care for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and caring for them is an act of worship. As Pastor Rick Warren puts it, “God created it. Jesus died for it. The Spirit lives in it. I’d better take care of it.”
Churches have a unique opportunity to help the body of Christ live out this truth in a tangible way. Supporting members in their commitment to living healthy, God-honoring lives not only cultivates self-discipline and wisdom but also brings real and lasting transformation in an area that affects every part of life. Healthy individuals build healthy marriages, families, and communities.
When churches step into this space, the impact extends far beyond physical health—it transforms households, strengthens relationships, and fosters a church community marked by wisdom, wellness, and health, both spiritual and physical.
Taking the First Step: Building a Ministry That Aligns With Your Mission
Starting a health and fitness ministry at your church doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming—it simply takes vision and planning. Programs can be led by church volunteers, local Christian trainers, or through partnerships with existing faith-based fitness organizations.
The key is to start small and focus on consistency. A simple weekly gathering or an eight-week health challenge can make a lasting impact when it’s grounded in fellowship, community, and spiritual purpose.
Simple ideas to get started include:
- An evening walking group
- An early morning running group
- A church-hosted 5K with weekly training meetups
- A small-group men’s basketball league that meets for scrimmages
- A coed pickleball league with regular practices
- A low-impact strength or stretching class—trainer-led or video-based
Just as some churches have transformed unused rooms into childcare centers or cafés, those same spaces can easily be repurposed for fitness ministries. Fellowship halls, gyms, classrooms, and even outdoor courtyards can become places for fitness ministries to meet.
For a health ministry to make a lasting impact, it should reflect the church’s broader mission—to help people grow in faith, community, and their walk with the Lord. Each gathering should intentionally balance time of fitness with time of truth, pairing physical exercise with shared time in God’s Word. Begin and end sessions with prayer, and dedicate time for a short devotional, Bible study, or sermon discussion.
When a health ministry keeps Christ at the center, it does more than improve physical health. It strengthens discipleship, fosters accountability, and builds a stronger sense of community within the body of Christ. These programs also open doors for outreach, welcoming neighbors and families who might not attend a traditional service but are drawn to the encouragement and support found in a faith-based fitness community.
Through genuine relationships and shared goals, many come to experience the love of Christ in a fresh, new way. When churches include faith-based fitness as part of their ministry vision, the results extend far beyond exercise. It becomes an opportunity to nurture the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and to strengthen the entire body of Christ in the process.
Kelly Wenner is the founder and creator of SoulStrength Fit, a faith-based fitness ministry that helps women honor God through health and fitness. SoulStrength Fit offers programs for women, small group ministries, and kids—combining faith, fitness, and God’s Word to strengthen body and spirit, www.soulstrengthfit.com.
