Faith, friends and fitness are the highlights of a Christian ministry called 'Body & Soul'

Faith, friends and fitness are the highlights of a Christian ministry called ‘Body & Soul’

Posted by Admin November 7, 2024 Fitness

“Hands up!”

The woman at the front of the exercise room gave commands in a manner that was less drill sergeant and more close friend on a mission.

Ruth Ann Dreyer exercised to the rhythm of the MercyMe song that filled the room one recent weeknight, and women in the Body & Soul Fitness cardio and strength training class followed her lead. The enthusiastic group could have been at any gym, but they were at church, The Springs Church of Christ in Edmond.

It was easy to see why the international Christian fitness nonprofit continues to appeal to Oklahoma women as the each class member raised her hands in step with Dreyer’s instructions and the accompanying contemporary Christian music.

“Hands up if you’re wondering

How you can ever explain

What amazing grace did to you

Hands up and say Hallelujah!”

That enthusiasm and energy were on full display when Dreyer, a Body & Soul regional director, recently led the effort to host the “Recharge 2024 Body & Soul International Fitness Convention” at Delta Hotels by Marriott Midwest City at the Reed Conference Center. Body & Soul leaders and participants welcomed many of the ministry’s fitness instructors from around the world for four days of annual training, workouts and testimonies and classes.

Dreyer, 72, said the global fitness organization was founded in 1981, and classes are currently held in churches, community centers and other venues in 32 states across the country and 13 countries around the world.

Amy Stafford, the organization’s president, said the goal of the recent conference was to send instructors home with the tools to help them continue to minister to the physical and spiritual health of their communities.

Dreyer has been teaching the Body & Soul classes since before she retired as vice chancellor for administration and board relations for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 2004. She said her role as an instructor became a priority shortly after retirement, and she’s been at it ever since.

She teaches classes at The Springs, where she is a member, and also at Quail Springs Baptist Church.

She said the fitness classes often play an important role in the participants’ lives when it comes to their health, physical activity goals and spiritual well-being.

She said she came to that realization when she was reading Rick Warren’s bestseller “The Purpose-Drive Life” as part of a class at church.

“It just kind of mushroomed out of that class,” Dreyer said.

Dreyer said Body and Soul fitness programs draws participants because they are challenging fitness classes and because the contemporary Christian music utilized in the classes is uplifting.

“I think it meets a real need,” she said.

Meanwhile, several of the women that participate in several of Dreyer’s classes said they have come to rely on the prayer, fitness classes and family atmosphere of Body & Soul over the years.

Bea Sprouse said she loved that prayer starts each Body & Soul class and each participants shares their prayer request. She also said she has made many friends she started the program.

“It’s the camaraderie,” she said.

Gilda Bright said friendships typically form as class participants come together to meet their fitness goals each week.

“It keeps you healthy,” she said.

Sprouse agreed.

“We’re forever young,” she said.

Marcia Pavley said she loves the prayer at the beginning of each class, describing it as “one of my favorite things of the week.”

“I love it because sometimes you get up and you’re in a bad mood, but you can’t leave here unhappy,” she said.