Exercise is viewed as a way to keep the body healthy, but in Christendom it is so much more than that. David could not have danced with all of his might before the Lord if he was unfit, and walking great lengths to offer assistance and be a witness for the Lord is not for the feeble-kneed.
Understanding the importance of maintaining good health, fitness instructor Baldon Francis recently launched an exercise programme at the Tarrant Baptist Church in Kingston.
As a certified physical trainer, fitness has been a part of his routine over the years. As he walked one day on the outskirts of TBC, Francis recalls receiving a download from the Holy Spirit that many sick people are in the house, for example, those who are obese or physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged. After that encounter, he shared that he was moved to start hosting fitness sessions at the church.
“It’s my strong belief that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that caring for it is a form of worship and a way to better serve God. This interconnectedness focuses on the whole person in the pursuit of optimal well-being—addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, leading to enhanced mental peace, physical benefits, and a deeper connection with God,” he stated.
After reading 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:8, Proverbs 17:22, and Isaiah 40:31, Francis knew he was on the right path, and his resolve was further strengthened to combine physical exercise as a form of worship to God.
Strong on faith, Francis highlighted that it has provided him with the mental and emotional strength, self-discipline, a sense of purpose, and the ability to persevere.
The meeting of the mind, body, and spirit encourages him to go the extra mile in helping seniors, especially, to: reduce or eliminate pain, gain muscle, and be stronger; live longer and better; overcome resistance and lack of interest in staying active; and get the emotional support and resilience they need to reduce loneliness, stress, and depression and persevere through challenges.
Francis, who trains people of different ages, shared that experience has conditioned him to make the necessary adjustments based on who he is working with.
Speaking on the difference age makes, he said a noticeable one is that older persons may have a harder time increasing lower-body strength to the same magnitude as younger persons. He attributes this to the fact that the older cohort may have lost some muscle fibres simply because of ageing, long-term sedentary lifestyle practices, and injury.
Cognisant of these differences, Francis said, with safety the name of the game, he ensures that at the beginning of exercise programmes he asks participants if they have any health or physical challenges to determine the most suitable activity for them.
“I incorporate warm-ups and cool-downs at the beginning and the end of every session. The exercise starts slowly, and I gradually increase intensity as they progress. Water breaks are given during the period to ensure that persons remain hydrated. I always remind them to take charge of their bodies, because they are theirs, and to carry themselves how they want to be seen,” he explained.
Most importantly, he stressed that they are constantly reminded to adhere to the safety rules, e.g., phones are not allowed in class to prevent disruption unless otherwise instructed.Also, if persons are excusing themselves from class, they should advise him for accountability. Lastly, seniors and others are asked to wear the proper footwear for proper execution of exercise and to prevent injury/further injury.
He ensures that the exercise workspace is clear of clutter and of the highest standard for practice at every workout.
Francis quoted the following verse that inspired his foray into the exercise class.
“According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ‘Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.’”
Just as physical muscles are developed only through exercise, hard work, training, and commitment, Francis believes it takes exercise, hard work, training, and commitment to become fit spiritually. This is why the participants are urged, as Paul urged Timothy, to take his moment of hardship as an opportunity to stretch, develop, exercise, and make himself stronger.
Francis has dubbed the exercise class, “Fit for Praise.” He sees it as a ministry and shares the view that for any ministry to thrive and flourish, prayer must be the bedrock of that ministry. Prayer precedes every workout, setting the tone for a God-focused fitness session. Once the class begins, then worship and other appropriate music (not worldly) is played to get the bodies moving to honour God.
“By playing music, it energises the workout, and that’s a spiritual element that helps us to stay motivated while deepening our connection to God. I also incorporate Scriptures as a motivation, especially during moments when individuals find a particular exercise to be difficult,” he noted.
Admitting that while younger persons gravitate towards exercise programme, it can be a daunting thought for seniors, and it is with this in mind that he offers words of encouragement.
“I recommend that they speak with their doctor before starting any exercise and get a medical report in the event they have any physical challenges. Once the go-ahead is given, I encourage them to find a peer they can exercise with to keep them engaged and motivated to stick with the programme. I also use other seniors who have overcome the same challenges as motivators. Most importantly, the greatest motivation comes from Scripture in Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength,” he encouraged.
Francis, who hails from the Parish of St. Catherine and currently resides in Waterford, Portmore, got baptised in 1991 and was nurtured at the Church of God of Prophecy located in Glengoffe.
Later, he went on a job hunt in Kingston, where he was successful in pursuing his career path, and in that period, he said his musical giftings were activated.
During his career path, he was engaged in physical training for a period, then later discovered that it was a natural inborn passion of his, so he decided to improve on the skill. Subsequently, a friend who trained with him in the same field of work encouraged him to listen to Conversations on TBC 88.5 FM with Apostle Jeffrey Shuttleworth.
“I was later aligned to this ministry and was re-baptised at Gordon Boulevard. My other passions include physical training, playing musical instruments, singing, drama, preaching, and teaching,” said the trainer, who admits to being a natural comedian at heart.
