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Faith and Fitness: A Challenge centered on community

The start of a new year often signifies new goals for many. This year, Oklahoma Christian University is starting a new Faith and Fitness challenge for students and faculty to participate in. The Talon spoke with the creators of the program to ask how it all started. 

Director of Residence Life Candace Bass said the idea started with a walk.

“This all started with an idea during a walk. The ResLife department had a step challenge last semester, and it was so much fun and beneficial. Overall as a group, we were getting healthier, happier, and more productive,” Bass said. “I was thinking about that while I was on a walk, and I wondered what it would be like to include our student staff. After a few days and several conversations, that idea quickly escalated to ‘what if the whole Oklahoma Christian community was involved, and we added shared daily Bible reading?’”

As a simple idea began to bloom into something more, Bass said she began to seek out other prominent leaders on campus for help to launch the program.

“So, we began dreaming. We had a lot of conversations within our department to work out the details. Then, we started meeting with people across campus- Student Life, Spiritual Life, Fitness Center, Counseling Center, Staff Council, Faculty Association, Administrators, and some students. We continued to add and modify it until we were ready to begin launching it in December.” 

Although this challenge was started because of fitness, Bass said the team felt it should also contain a spiritual challenge as well.

“There are two main parts to the challenge, Read one chapter from the Gospels daily and meet your steps goal- there are three levels to choose from.” Bass said.

The challenge not only features weekly walks, but also many other events, which Bass highlighted. 

“We are hosting several optional events to plug into such as: 

  • Walk + Talks: weekly walks on the Eagle Trail. 
  • Connect Night: weekly devos in the residential buildings; Chapel Credit
  • Community Convos: monthly lunch & learns; Chapel Credit
  • Holy Hikes: monthly off-campus walks at local parks with a devo; Chapel Credit,” Bass said.

Although walking might seem like a simple task, Bass said she hopes those who participate in this challenge will reflect on the deeper meaning of exercise.

“I think there is the potential for our community to deepen our faith, improve our physical and mental health, and grow relationships. We will be reading about Jesus’ life and ministry. I believe this alone has transformative power, but even more so when we read, discuss, and live it out in community,” Bass said. “Walking gives some quiet space to meditate, contemplate, and pray, and I believe that will help God’s word plant deep in our hearts and lives.” 

When asked what the future of this program looks like, Bass said the team will reevaluate based off of the input they get.

“We’ll see. We are trying it out, and will see how it goes,” Bass said. 

Photo from the Faith and Fitness Challenge Launch Party.

Senior and participant in the challenge Elizabeth Oglevie said she was drawn to joining this challenge to keep herself accountable.

“I have been wanting to get more exercise during the school year. It is hard to do everything necessary to work out regularly, so when I saw this challenge I thought it would be a great way to have accountability to walk more,” Oglevie said. 

Oglevie said she not only wants to gain better accountability, but to also create a healthier routine. 

“I hope to gain better habits. I know a routine of healthy habits is the only way to ensure that I spend time with Jesus every day. I also need to be stewarding my body well so that I may use it to follow him. I also look forward to hearing what other people are hearing from God and are learning from scripture,” Oglevie said. 

If interested in joining this free challenge, you can follow this link to sign up.

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