No, you’re not imagining things. The Internet isn’t just saturated with Christian gym apparel, Christian Gym brands, Christian fitness influencers and so much more – it’s flooded. We here at Faith & Fitness Magazine are pleased to see that the Christian fitness culture is growing. But it isn’t always growing in all the right ways. Those who are doing ‘faith and fitness’ together need to clearly hear God’s voice and then consistently do it with integrity. One gym that we feel does that particularly well is Christ Fit Gym. It’s not just a big deal that “Christ” is one third of their gym name – and the first third at that. This gym is both a business and a ministry. It gets super high marks in both clarity of purpose and all-in commitment. It’s not so much that Christ is in their gym name. More critically, Christ is woven deeply into who they are, what they do, how they do it and ultimately what all God is doing because they keep Christ front and center.
TAKE A CLASS OR TWO OR THREE…
As early as 5:30 in the morning you could be doing a Morning Pump with Jason. Or if evening is your time you can Spin with Sara or lift Weights with Billy or do CrossFit with Wikestrom. Throughout the day there is plenty of Cross Training, Weights and more. There is Kidz Care in the morning and Kidz Time in the evening. Plus there is 24 hour access too.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Nothing but everything! The financial model that God called Billy to do is to make the gym totally donation based. So give if you can, what you can or more than you can. The gym also has a smoothie shop and thrift store to help meet the financial needs of the ministry along with other ventures and donations. Funding the expenses of this ministry is a whole different model from how most gyms do business. Is it working? Of course, God is well able. And, if you think they’re showing off just a little bit, you’re absolutely right. Make no mistake, they’re not drawing attention to the sacrifice (there’s no, “poor me, look how hard I’m trying”). This is all about Christ and the continually wonderful ways He provides. It is a context for every member to witness the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.
THE PLACE FOR PRESENCE
Christ Fit Gym provides members with a beautiful building and great gear. Here you’ll find space to simply be active or get in a good vigorous workout OR … even set a new personal record. You get all the quality physical outcomes of a great gym. But the place is only the physical location for something much more, something better – something truly different.
It’s presence. From classes, to one-on-one, group events and more, Christ Fit Gym gives people consistent, genuine and rich fellowship. It’s the kind of fellowship that is based on Christian tradition and nurtured in godly values. And yes, you can get good and similar fellowship at a YMCA or a CrossFit gym or other fitness brand where camaraderie, friendships and positive principles are emphasized and embraced. But, because Christ Fit Gym puts Christ right smack dab in the center of everything you don’t just experience the positive presence of others, you get to know the transformative presence of Christ.
MEET CHRIST FIT GYM FOUNDER BILLY WEATHERALL
From humble beginnings to a humble now, Billy’s story is punctuated by dramatic highs and lows. Yet throughout his journey, God’s grace and Billy’s need for that grace are what remain constant. THAT is a distinctive marker of a Christ-centered life. In this video Billy shares his history and experiences that led to the present-day ministry of Christ Fit Gym. Watch it now and then on the other end use the questions below to unpack some truths and then prayerfully seek God on how you put and keep Christ right smack dab in the center of your life.
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP DISCUSSION [tap ‘+’ to expand]
1. From the very beginning [00:40] of Billy’s testimony you see that faith is a big part of his upbringing and experience. Yet, he admits, “I was all about the Word (Bible) growing up. I knew it in my mind, but I never knew it in my heart.” Consider how, in all areas of life, knowledgeand belief(conviction, passion and faith) are very different. How do these two play out and reflect in your life? Why are both needed to know God? How can belief help keep you centered on Christ. Is that important to you? Why or why not?
2. Billy joined the military in 2000 [01:09] because as he says, “That’s what I wanted to do.” Today we can see that Christ Fit Gym is what he was called by God to do. Think about and discuss how God can use what we think we want to do, to more fully shape what we are called to do. How, in the midst of our selfish wants, can Christ in fact still be, even if we don’t fully recognize it, in the center of that?
3. A big part of his story describes his vivid military experiences including being on watch and reporting a potential risk that ultimately resulted in innocent casualties. More than dramatic, this is the kind of gripping real loss and pain that results in PTSD. How was this a pivotal point in Billy’s life? What did he do? His “perfect” plans for an honorable exit at the end of his 4 years of service got changed [07:15]. How was God in that? In his own life and death moment he prays, “God if you’re real, I’ll give you my life.” What does, “I’ll give you my life” mean to you? Have you ever prayed that?
4. A friend of Billy calls him [11:58] and invites him to a Christian event where Billy publicly gives his life to Christ. Have you ever been used of God, like Billy’s friend was used, to be a dynamic instrument God uses for good? Look more deeply into your answer and examine why that is the case.
5. Billy’s story shifts [12:25] to an “unexplainable” season. He says, “I was so convicted about it. I wanted to give God more and more of my life. I wanted to please Him. I had joy and peace.” At this point he get’s it and he’s eagerly living for Christ. Think about someone you know who has had this same kind of spiritual transformation. How would you describe that?
6. He starts to make positive strides (going to college, getting married, getting a good job, tithing, even doing ministry) and then[13:30] in 2011 he says, “God calls me to walk away from everything”. He started doing Bible devotions in his Garage gym with his buddies. It grew to as many as 30 people working out. It was in this season that Billy realized God had a plan for him – a calling. How would you respond if you realized God had a unique plan for your life? How willing would you be to pursue after it? He says, “I said [to God], there’s no way I can do that.” This was the point where God stripped away all the good to make way for something even better – total dependence on God. How does that kind of lifestyle resonate with you?
7. What would you do if what God is calling you to do others say is a horrible idea to do? What does it mean to you to be faithful to God? Billy talks about how it is just as difficult to run the gym today as it was when he first started. What do you think about that? What are the markers of God’s blessings and growth? Billy says that God’s answers to his prayers has often been, “I’ve got you right where I want you – that’s completely dependent on Me.” What makes that a Christ-centered mindset and way of living?
WHERE IS THIS PLACE?
Want to visit and experience Christ Fit Gym for yourself? Pack your bags and head to Boosier City, Louisiana. Be sure to bring your gym shoes and shorts, but plan to get a Christ Fit Gym t-shirt when you get there. Contact them in advance to plan your trip. Get ideas for faith-building fitness travel from map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine. Get to Christ Fit Gym and discover how it’s more than a Christian gym. It’s a spiritually immersive experience where Christ is right smack dab in the center.
