Call to see more Christian chaplains in the gym as new partnership is announced
Monday 10th July 2017
Sports Chaplaincy UK is delighted to announce that over the summer Fit Lives will become part of the Sports Chaplaincy UK family. This partnership will help enable chaplaincy in gyms to be developed across the UK. Sports Chaplaincy UK has a vision to see the Church positively impact every community called sport and for the last 20 years, Fit Lives has been working with around 45 coordinators in a selected number of gyms.
The role of a sports chaplain in a gym is similar to that of a chaplain involved in more traditional club sports with the same values of presence, excellence, relationship, confidentiality and humility being paramount. The challenge to the Church from Sports Chaplaincy UK is to call Christians from all denominations to examine how we serve our local community of sport especially within gyms, SCUK provides training and support for anyone interested in becoming a sports chaplain.
As part of this new relationship, the Chair of Fit Lives, Dave Courteen (Founder and MD of Mosaic Spa & Health Clubs) will be joining the Sports Chaplaincy UK Board of Trustees.
Speaking about this new venture, Dave Courteen said:
“I am so grateful for the work that we have achieved in the past with Fit Lives Coordinators being a presence in gyms. But, after prayer, we believe God is calling us into a new season and I am excited to form this affiliation with Sports Chaplaincy UK.
The work that Sports Chaplaincy UK is doing is widely recognised and I am confident that they will help see more chaplains within gyms. I would join with their call to see how Christians can respond to this growing opportunity.”
Welcoming the possibilities of new things through this new affiliation with Fit Lives, Warren Evans, Chief Executive of Sports Chaplaincy UK added:
“I am delighted that Sports Chaplaincy UK has been able to embrace this exciting new development with Fit Lives and see chaplaincy grow and build on the amazing legacy of Fit Lives throughout gyms across our nation. People go to gyms for many reasons and it’s not just to keep healthy.
Therefore, I believe it is vital that there is a Christian presence and I am calling on the Church, as plan A to see how it can work with us to see an expression of God s love and compassion in their local community of sport. This is a new venture for us, but we are excited about what is ahead.”
A training session for those wishing to become a sports chaplain within a gym will take place at the offices of the Evangelical Alliance on Wednesday 6th September between 11am and 4pm. The cost of the training will be £45.
For more information on how to book or register your interest, visit the Sports Chaplaincy UK website www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk
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The vision of Sports Chaplaincy UK is “to provide and support chaplains in every professional and amateur sport in the UK & Ireland as well as equip, challenge, a
nd enable the church to engage with their community called sport”.
It’s mission is “to initiate, nurture, support and resource high quality Christian chaplaincy to the world of sport”
Sports Chaplaincy UK has a God-given dream to see an expression of Gods love and compassion in every community called sport – lets see a community transformed by Gods love.
Warren Evans is available for live or pre-recorded interview, by prior arrangement.
All press and media enquiries should be directed to :
Adam May
Sports Chaplaincy UK Press Officer
adam.may@sportschaplaincy.org.uk
01234 308 538 – 07736 949 869
