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Contact: Dan Branyon, 864-725-4134
dbranyon@selfregional.org

 

Higher Sunday school attendance prompts pastor to lose weight

         GREENWOOD—A local pastor is meeting his weight loss goals and increasing his church’s Sunday school attendance, all in one swoop.
            The Rev. Bryan Sims, pastor of First Mount Moriah Baptist Church, has taken a unique approach to his health resolutions via a challenge from his congregation.
This past October, Rev. Sims and his church family struck a weight loss/Sunday school bargain. To improve his health and increase Sunday school attendance, the pastor agreed to lose one pound for every new person who showed up at Sunday school.
First Mount Moriah had 104 regular Sunday school attendees in the fall. Whether it was a testament to the quality of the teaching there or merely a curiosity that allowed members to see their pastor sweat bullets, 194 people began showing up for the church’s Sunday school. This translated into a daunting weight loss challenge of 90 pounds for Rev. Sims.
In order to help him achieve his goal, Rev. Sims joined Wellness Works of Self Regional Healthcare and began a regular exercise program involving cardiovascular and resistance training. As of the end of February, the preacher had shed more than 70 pounds.
“Even though he is approaching his weight loss goal of 90 pounds, Rev. Sims is showing no signs of slowing down,” noted Beth Uhall, a personal trainer and fitness instructor on the Wellness Works staff. “He actually wants to surpass his original goal by remaining physically active.”
His trainer attests that the pastor now speaks about exercise like it’s a piece of a larger puzzle that also includes healthy eating habits and spiritual health. Taken together, he believes these elements contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
“Rev. Sims credits the personal drive of other Wellness Works members with keeping him motivated to reach his goals,” Uhall said. “In turn, he is beginning to inspire others around him. Some of his church members are even following his example by beginning activity programs of their own.”
Modern day shepherds, it seems, lead their flocks not only to Sunday school classrooms, but to fitness centers as well.
                                                                                                                                
           In response to a challenge from his church family, the Rev. Bryant Sims of First Mount Moriah Baptist Church has watched Sunday school attendance climb as his waistline has declined. He is a now a regular at Wellness Works of Self Regional Healthcare, having already lost 70 of the 90 pounds he intends to shed.