When you first walk through the front door at 148 Wellness, you know right away that it’s not just a normal gym. Your eye immediately catches a canvas on the wall that highlights the Bible verse, “For physical training is of some value but Godliness has value in all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
At the entrance of the facility is an inviting community lounge with couch, tables, easy chairs, and a coffee bar where people can talk, take advantage of free WiFi to work, or just relax. Above the coffee bar hangs a prayer board, handmade by the director and pastor of 148 Ministries, David Storvick, for people to hang their prayers on. David says, “We want to create an environment where people feel welcome, where they’re not just walking into a bunch of exercise equipment.
David and his wife Amber Storvick are helping give Grace, new hope, fit living, and a clean future to hundreds of people. 148 Wellness in Greenwood, Indiana was created from 148 Ministries, which is a mission to help abused and addicted men and women. Storvick shares, “The148 in our name comes from 1st Timothy, Chapter 4 Verse 8. The underlying mission of 148 Ministries is to share the love of Christ with people.”
The idea behind 148 Wellness came from a nonprofit outreach David and Amber Storvick founded to use physical fitness and faith to improve people’s lives called 148 Ministries. The couple started their ministry after Amber took a mission trip to Cambodia. Amber a personal trainer, participated in a program helping women who had been pulled out of sex trafficking. She knew she wanted and needed to do something for the people that are in need her local Central Indiana community. The Storvicks prayed and believed that using fitness and faith to help those in need was what God wanted them to do.
Jessica Mawby is a member of 148 Wellness, and is active with 148 Ministries and the Hope Center. Jessica has participated in workout sessions and various groups including circuit training, group counseling, and one-on-one counseling with the Storvicks.
“Through these programs I have gained overall Wellness; physical, mental, and spiritual healing.” Jessica said. “Because of their love for Christ and their light that shines they truly help addicted and abused people.”
ALL IN ONE RECOVERY
148 Wellness was created to allow people to have a place where they can create change all in one place. It is an “all in one” wellness center. Part of the profit from 148 Wellness goes toward helping the non-profit organization and supporting the mission at 148 Ministries. 148 Wellness brings together physical, spiritual, and behavioral wellness in its approach to heal sexual and physical abuse, addiction and other mental health issues. Clients can take advantage of a fully equipped gym with exercise center, changing rooms, and lockers 24 hours a day.
Gym memberships and services are available to the general public 24 hours a day, with a key fob entry system. Clients can participate in services such as semi-private training, group fitness classes, rehabilitation exercise and movement centered therapy. Clients can receive faith based counseling for behavioral health issues such as addiction, as well as join small Bible study groups. Clients can spend time with a trainer, a physical therapist, and a pastor.
148 Wellness is a full-service gym with rowing machines, free weights and equipment focused on functional fitness. An area is also set aside for counseling, with its own separate entrance to ensure privacy. A conference room is available for small groups, workshops and activities.
There are varying membership levels available at 148 Wellness. From basic gym memberships to packages that include group classes such as ‘Angry Girl Workout’, and Penalty Box/Agility class. They also offer Semi-private training and a woman’s Bible study every Tuesday night.
In addition, 148 Wellness designed an app that provides workouts, check-ins, and a method by which members can stay accountable to their exercise routine. Family and corporate memberships are also available. In addition to membership fees to use the gym and receive other services, 148 Wellness is also starting a sponsorship program. David explains, “People can help sponsor the men and women who go through the residential programs for addiction or other issues. In doing so, they then have access to the different services available at 148 Wellness.”
THE MISSING PIECE
Chris Walker is a certified personal trainer who provides physical rehabilitation to clients and those in need. Walker approached the Storvicks in 2018 with the idea to have a place that promoted physical fitness but was more than just a gym, and the Storvicks knew it was the missing piece. Walker formed 148 LLC to handle rehabilitation and is the owner of 148 Wellness.
Walker said, “I wanted a space where people cou
ld improve their health but not focus on weight loss or make it just about appearance. That’s what 148 Ministries is about. I love what they were doing. Their mission and our goal are the same.”
The Greenwood-based organization, 148 Ministries, spends every Friday at the Volunteers of America’s headquarters in downtown Indianapolis. They offer exercise classes, biblical counseling, and work with the women who have been trapped in addiction or sex trafficking. This helps them to get their lives back on the right track. The workouts help ease the tension and nervousness that some of the women have related to the fitness sessions.
The Storvicks have seen the transformative power of their ministry in the surrounding areas. “It’s a missing piece here. The opioid epidemic in this city in particular demands that you have to break ties with old friends, and a lot of times, family. That’s difficult or [seemingly] impossible to do,” Amber Storvick said. “We wanted to create a space where they can come, talk to us and work out, in a place that’s safe. They can work on healing their body and healing their mind.” David said, “Especially when we have tarnished pasts, like we all do, God uses our broken lives for his purpose and glory.”
The ministry provides programming for a number of residential centers for people struggling with addiction, abuse and other issues. In addition to working with Volunteers of America, they’ve done programs at the Hope Center, which focuses on helping sex-trafficked victims, and Teen Challenge in Lebanon, Indiana working with teen girls dealing with addiction and other problems.
Sara Ladd joined 148 in April of 2019. She has attended the early morning Monday motivation class, the early morning Angry girl workout on Fridays and the penalty box workout on Fridays at 10am. She also works out on her own time, depending on schedule.
Sara said, “I absolutely love the atmosphere of 148. The owners are amazing, the gym is fully equipped and the trainers help guide you in your fitness goals.
I also love the mission of 148. I do not struggle with addiction, but my family has been directly impacted by addiction. The gym provides help and love for those who are struggling and can eventually bring them to Christ and freedom.
The gym is a place to not only get physically strong, but spiritually and mentally. They help me stay motivated in my goals and help me realize my passion for fitness and helping people.”
For the Storvicks and Walker, the opportunity to work in the Greenwood community, providing a service that is desperately needed, is immensely rewarding. “It’s something that is missing. You have your big gyms, your small studios, physical therapy and counseling. But there’s not a place where you can get everything at once in one place,” Walker said. “We each have our own talents, and we bring them all together.”
A Bible verse that David feels is especially meaningful to their ministry is Philippians 3:13-14 which says, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
How are you helping? How is your community helping? Challenge yourself to do more, think healthy, and learn Grace. The Storvicks and Walker are truly doing amazing things through God’s love. There is help out there to change your life with Grace and Grit.
Learn more, plan a visit, support the work
