The Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls Kick Start Your Heart congregational challenge is underway for congregations in the St. Louis area.
For the third year, churches and congregations are urged to get moving and get in shape for heart health. A least 30 congregations have signed up to participate thus far. The competition is limited to the first 50 groups to sign up.
Congregations with pastor approval are eligible to participate. Those with teams of at least 10 members are eligible for monthly incentives.
The challenge kickoff was held in late February at three locations: the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis; Jamestown Mall at 175 Jamestown Mall, Florissant; and Shepherds Center at the Christian Life Center of Webster Hills UMC, located at 1333 West Lockwood. The same three sites are monthly gathering stations for challenge participants.
“Participants meet once a month to turn in [exercise log] sheets and exercise together. They get points for showing up for a 45-minute workout” said Chi Mathias, Abraham’s children & health initiatives director of Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls.
Challenge members earn two points for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity outside of their normal routine; two points for each day they eat at least five servings of fruits/vegetables; and one point for every day their personal nutritional/physical goals are met. They get five points for attending the monthly events.
The grand-prize-winning congregation with the highest point average at the end of the six-month period in August will be crowned “Healthy Congregation of the Year” and will receive $500 to start or support a health ministry.
For more information on the congregational fitness challenge, call 314-531-4787 or visit interfaithpartnership.org.