Sometimes it's hard to take that first step, and often seeing how others have done it can help us to be inspired to gather our courage and start our own journeys. Read about other Health Directors below who have taken the steps to get started with their Physical-e-Fit program.

Overcoming Obstacles: New Mt. Zion AMEC

New Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, located in Jamestown, is working hard towards a healthier community. Their Health Ministry is gearing up for the New Year with great ideas and new strategies.

In the beginning, they struggled with getting their Physical-e-Fit program up and running. However, with some hard work and perseverance, they turned things around. Pastor Kinlaw, along with several church members were presented with pedometers in the spring of 2004 which they are still wearing. They like to compare how many steps they are taking during their work days versus their days around the house.

The team has now learned how to motivate and make their members more health conscious. The 2005 calendar year is filled with community health fairs to include free health screenings, Physical-E-Fit programs, monthly meetings, weekly bulletins, National Month Awareness Notices, Community Cookbooks, and much more. Healthy meals will be offered from their cook book at least once a month after worship service and monthly meetings.

Currently every fourth Sunday is set aside for health ministry. Healthy information and tips are provided to members during the morning worship service. Also, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight checks are offered after service. Their health ministry is growing, along with Rev. W. Kinlaw, Pastor of New Mt. Zion who has been blessed with 5 Parish Nurses, Kimberly Fordham, Mae Dean James, Sylvia Hurell, Carla Snyder, and Beverly Nelson.

New Mt. Zion AMEC has the tools and is now ready to work towards not only a healthier church but a healthier community. Congratulations to Rev. Kinlaw, the health ministry and Physical-e-Fit team!

Keeping the Spirit Alive: St. Stephen AMEC

St. Stephen AMEC in Hardeville jumped on the Health-e-AME Physical-e-Fit wagon and never looked back. After receiving the training in June of 2003, the health director, Martha Davis, and her Physical-e-Fit team had their program up and running by August.

The Pastor for St. Stephen, Rev. Thomas E. McClary and first lady, Beatrice McClary are very supportive of the program. They enthusiastically joined in the first demonstration of chair and praise aerobics for the congregation and encouraged everyone to participate. Ms. Davis says, “It's amazing how a little activity empowers the people to loosen up and laugh.”

To date they have offered 8 Steps to Fitness twice, have an active walking program and have been offering chair and praise aerobics once a week for the past year. Ms. Davis says that although it has been somewhat difficult to keep the program going, it is worth it in the end. She credits part of her success to her fellow AME members for their faithful participation in the program.

In March, their walking club led a walk-a-thon for 30 people during the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. During Vacation Bible School in June, physical activity was included as a segment for each class.

Congratulations to St. Stephen AMEC for keeping the spirit alive and continuing to offer physical activity programs for their members. The Physical-e-Fit program staff wishes you luck and hopes you continue to promote the health and well-being of your congregation.

Health Director Latanya Tillman, Bethel AME

Bethel AME in Georgetown played the gracious host to the annual Palmetto conference meeting in August. Members were excited to share their stories from the Health-e-AME Physical-e-Fit program with the program staff. Rev. Jonathon Baker takes an active role in leading his congregation towards a healthier lifestyle. Latanya Tillman heads up the health ministry at Bethel, with the Physical-e-Fit program and other health programs, to address the health concerns of the members of the congregation.

The day starts bright and early as a crowd of devoted and energetic individuals attend a group exercise class at 6:30 am three days a week. Another class is held later in the day, at 5:30pm, to reach working members of the congregation. Members of the surrounding community are also invited to attend the exercise classes. Participants restore their energy with fruit and water after working up an appetite during exercise class.

Ms. Tillman has also offered the 8 Steps to Fitness program and chair aerobics to the congregation.

We all know that many hands make light work, and by partnering with other churches in the community, Bethel AMEC can offer a wide variety of programs to promote the health and well-being of its members.

Congratulations to Rev. Baker, Ms. Tillman and the congregation of Bethel AME for taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle

Health Director Dortha Davis, St. Paul AME

Rev. James Cooper and his wife have been great role models as they both get “Physical-e-Fit” with the members at St. Paul. Working along with them is Dorotha Davis, Health Director at St. Paul AME Church in Sumter (near Shawfield). Rev. and Mrs. Cooper and Ms. Davis are just some of the active members on the health ministry team at St Paul. Church members engage in exercise lasting for 30 minutes every Thursday after their Bible Study. They have been using the Physical-e-Fit video and audio tape as members get active. Their members enjoy the chair exercises and also do the praise aerobics.

The congregation has been motivated by their health ministry team’s enthusiasm for the program, encouragement, and incentives, that additional materials have been purchased for walking and aerobics, including new videos to keep them going.

Members have purchased pedometers to help track their steps, and several members have gotten together and started a walking club that meets at Dillion Park at 7:00 am every Saturday. Then they submit their walking logs to the Health Director where it is recorded and top winners are recognized on the church bulletin board. Along with exercising, they have speakers come in and talk about issues concerning their members’ health. Although the members enjoy the physical activity, they have also incorporated the 8 Steps to Fitness Program in their activities. St. Paul has truly been dedicated to service through mental, spiritual and physical feeding/maintenance of the body! As you can see they serve as a great inspiration as they have managed to incorporate something for everyone at their church. The Health Ministry at St Paul would like to recognize several members who have made a commitment to their health and are meeting physical activity goals and reaching 10,000 steps or more day on regular basis as follows: Rev. Cooper, Miriam Cooper, Dorotha Davis, Carolyn Bridges, Emma Furman, Yvonna Pitt, Lottie Pitt, Ervin Pitt, and Evelyn Roberson. If anyone needs additional information about their program feel free to contact Dorothy Davis at (803) 775-7046.

Congratulations to Rev. Cooper, Ms. Davis and St Paul AMEC for their successful program.

Health Director Lynn Singleton, Greater St. James AME.

After receiving the training, Lynn Singleton, Health Director at Greater St. James was very excited to implement the Health-e-AME program at her church. They already had an active Parish Nursing Program that was conducting blood pressure screening on the 3rd Sunday of the month, and the screening was one way that they were able to recruit participants for the Health-e-AME Physical-e-Fit Program. The pastor and secretary made several announcements asking people to participate in the program, and the Health Director designed announcements and included them on the church bulletin. As a result, they had 27 people that signed up to participate in the program. The first meeting was held on September 2, 2003 and they did the initial assessment of the participants. They plan to have 3 exercise classes as follows: A walking club that will meet at 6 am every morning for 30 minutes; the "8 Steps To Fitness" class will be held on Wednesday evening for 30 minutes including take home assignments; and 30 minutes of chair aerobics using a videotape. Some of the things they plan to include in their meetings on Wednesday are sharing of recipes and bringing in healthy dishes.

Congratulations to Lynne Singleton and the Greater St James AME church for a successful start!

Health Director Rev. Geraldine Dixon, New Hope AME

The members of New Hope AME Church in Loris, South Carolina began walking together well before Reverend Geraldine Dixon organized and initiated the Physical-e-Fit walking program through Health-e-AME. After receiving the Physical-e-Fit training in September, Reverend Dixon was able to organize the walking club and get more of the congregation involved. Announcements were made before the sermons and demonstrations of both praise and chair aerobics were presented. Now a regular group of women, including the pastor's spouse, walk together ever Saturday and enjoy not only the benefits of being active but also the company of their friends and fellow worshipers.

The Saturday morning walks at New Hope AME Church have become a community collaboration where members of three different congregations meet and walk on a two-mile track. In working together with other churches, Reverend Dixon has been able to motivate her own church, resulting in a greater interest in physical activity. As the saying goes, "two, or three, heads are better than one."

New Hope AME continues to educate its members about health issues and has the Health-e-AME notebook available to all members in the educational corner. Besides their walking club, the congregation also engages in chair exercises. Reverend Dixon has even been able to incorporate the chair exercises into her daily life by introducing them to her work. Congratulations to Reverend Geraldine Dixon and New Hope AME Church on their successful community walking club and physical activity programs!

Health Director Tersea James, Union Station AME

Teresa James, Health Director at Union Station AME Church, decided immediately to implement their program after receiving the Physical-e-Fit training and guidance from the pastor of their church. Rev. Friendly Gadson made several announcements from the pulpit to encourage members to sign up for the program. Periodically, he uses information from the Health-e-AME website about physical activity to share with the congregation.

After advertising, the health screening form (PAR-Q) was circulated in the church for all interested members to complete. As a result, they have 27 members participating in physical activity programs. Announcements were placed on the bulletin board and in the church program about their start date.

During the preparation stage, a member was visiting their church and agreed to provide the health director and assistant with additional aerobic training. This visiting member worked with them for two consecutive weeks on coordination of moves.

As the program began, enthusiastic members came out weekly to participate in chair aerobic, praise aerobics, and the 8 Steps to Fitness Program. Flora Gadson, the pastor's wife, is the aerobic instructor that guides the members through a moderate intensity workout. She has been using the provided CD "Exercise Your Faith for Ten" and the videotape to enhance their program. Also, light snacks and water are provided.

A member who is a registered nurse assists the health director with the classes and provides additional information. They also have blood pressure screening every month. The 8 Steps to Fitness Program has been a success at Union Station AMEC. After completion of the program they plan to increase the aerobics class to twice a week and start their walking program.

Congratulations to Union Station AME for their success and commitment to the health and well-being of their members!

Forming partnerships: Sandra Scott & Emmanuel AME with Delores Green & Graham AME

Sandra Scott is the health director at Emmanuel AME and has partnered with fellow health director and sister-in-law, Delores Green at Graham AME to offer their Physical-e-Fit programs. They had worked together before to offer several other health programs, and continued to do so when they started their Physical-e-Fit program. They have divided several duties, including splitting the teaching of 8 Steps to Fitness class that consists of members from both churches.

Both of these health directors mentioned several benefits of combining their efforts, including boosting the unity between the churches, easing their workloads, developing new ideas, and coming up with new and exciting activities.