2019 was a busy year in the faith and fitness culture with more products, services, programs, new businesses, ministries and skilled professionals all coming together to make a greater impact. Along with this we’ve seen strong growth in people throughout the world who are actively learning how to bring faith and fitness together more effectively to grow physically and spiritually stronger and make a better impact in their communities.
This 2019 encore page highlights some of the content featured in the six 2019 issues of Faith & Fitness Magazine. From here you can link directly to these resources. This content comes from several of departments. The departments represent an exciting reality in the faith and fitness culture: The movement is spread across many populations and demographics. There is diversity of gender, age, ethnicity, interests, abilities and callings within the faith and fitness culture. That means there is tremendous potential for greater networking, fitness influence and especially God-led spiritual impact.
Take time to dig deep into each of the highlights below. Pray and think about how God would have you build on what you learn here. Then look at areas of the faith and fitness culture that we’re fueling in 2020 – In Shape For The Good Work.
Our April/May 2019 issue focused on the theme of PLACE. We also focused on this theme at our 2019 Redefined Conference. In How I Found 3myhappyplacetofit, David Jack writes and shares in an audio interview life lessons he has learned and applies to his fitness and family today. How do you use the space available to you to nurture an active lifestyle and draw upon the Holy Spirit of God for service to others? This feature not only answers that question it also underscores what we believe is one of the most important units you can nurture in faith and fitness — the family. This 2019 encore is filled with thoughts and ideas you can apply to your life and bring to your gym, church and community.
The February/March 2019 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine ventured into territory we feel has only begun to be cultivated but has tremendous potential for powerful faith and fitness impact — Intergenerational Fitness. Author Linda Staats in Active Living Alongside Each Other, outlines key points that are more frequently applied to faith formation but less often used to expand how fitness can be experienced in our families, active communities and faith gatherings. This 2019 encore is culture shaping perspective that can really drive incredible positive outcomes.
In the October/November 2019 issue gym owner and trainer Natoia Franklin shares in Helping Women Find Balance about the ways she and her team make a special fitness environment especially for women. For her creating wellness can’t happen unless there is an element of serenity. Read and see how this 2019 encore illustrates how faith plays an important role in women’s fitness.
Ginny Marshall’s June/July 2019 article Identity Defined At Cedar Pointe Fitness tells the story of Brian Minor, owner and trainer at Cedar Pointe Fitness. Brian candidly shares how his life went from good to bad to great in Christ. The story is a 2019 encore because it illustrates that a man’s pursuit of God is far from picture perfect. Struggles and heartache are real but the genuine strength a man can find in Christ can lead him to the kind of life he knows is possible as a man, husband and father.
Few fitness magazines intentionally give special attention to the college age population. We do because we recognize that those working toward a college degree need to be physically active, spiritually strengthened and encouraged to seek God for wisdom in vocational development that ultimately can keep faith central to all she or he does. In the October/November 2019 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine writer and health fitness specialist Kimber Otis shared exactly how God led her from what she thought was right for her to do TO a career that is on target to impact lives through Christ. Fall In Love With Your Career – And The God Who Created It is a 2019 encore. Let us know of the college fitness story on your campus or in your community that we should consider sharing.
Health and wellness in popular media is often covered with a perspective on new treatments, products and service. We all want to know new and better ways to pursue greater health and get and stay well. In Faith & Fitness Magazine we work to share content that also looks more closely at how faith in God is key to health and wellness. Shawn Maves brought the story How David Lyons Challenges MS With Incurable Faith in our August/September 2019 issue. His is a 2019 encore because it not only highlights how we should and can keep faith paramount, it also illustrates how we can be others minded and be the difference that God makes in our world today.
In our June/July 2019 issue, Susan Neal, RN shares good nutrition advice mixed with Christian faith perspective in her article Goodbye Sugar. A lifestyle approach is key to a healthy diet. We need to eat well daily for the rest of our lives. This 2019 encore challenges us to elevate our conversations about and practices of improving nutrition as a Christian faith practice in 2020.
Thin Places And The REST Of Your Story by Tricia McCary Rhodes appeared in the April/May 2019 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine. There is a ton of online information about services, destinations and ideas focusing on self-care. The spa and cosmetology industry as well as the fitness and travel industries keep the focus rather narrow on — you – you – you. This feature is a 2019 encore because it helps recast the attention toward God. That is a huge difference that dramatically expands the scope and impact of both spa and fitness retreats. Be looking for much more in our Spa & Fitness Retreat department in 2020.
Do you have a story, video, event or other content that you think may be ideal to share with Faith & Fitness Magazine readers? Take a look at what we’re doing in 2020 then use the link there to submit a proposal. Or you can get started by texting “mystory” to 22828.
