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FAITH MATTERS: Baton Rouge couple sees fitness as a service, ministry

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 7:00 GMT by The Advocate
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Baton Rouge Couple Transforms Fitness into Faith‑Driven Service Ministry

In an increasingly secular world, a Baton Rouge couple is redefining what it means to be a “service ministry.” Instead of preaching in a pulpit, they’re turning a modern fitness center into a place where physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness intersect. The duo—pastor‑turned‑trainer Aaron “Ari” Harris and his wife, former elementary school teacher and nutritionist Kelsey “Kels” Harris—have taken the slogan “Body and Soul in Harmony” from the back of a hymn book and applied it to every treadmill, yoga mat, and community outreach program at their flagship gym, FaithFit Baton Rouge.

A Journey from the Sanctuary to the Weight Room

The Harris couple’s story began on a Sunday morning in 2013, when Aaron, a 27‑year‑old minister at the First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, began noticing how the congregation struggled with the “physical side of health.” “I was preaching about loving God’s creation, but I saw people coming in with aches, injuries, and a sense of emptiness that the sermons alone couldn't address,” Aaron recalls. Kelsey, who had spent a decade as a health‑education teacher in the local public‑school system, had been following the same trend, observing that students’ academic achievements often dipped when their bodies were in pain or when they felt disconnected from a supportive community.

Together, they envisioned a place where faith and fitness were not separate but intertwined. In 2015, they rented a modest 3,000‑square‑foot space on South Broad Street. With the help of a small but enthusiastic group of church volunteers, they rebuilt the gym’s outdated equipment, added a “Bible‑Study Corner” with a portable altar and a small library of Christian wellness literature, and named the venture FaithFit Baton Rouge.

Ministry in Motion: The Core Philosophy

The Harris couple’s business model is built on five core principles:

1. Holistic Health – Physical fitness is only one component of overall well‑being. The gym offers free counseling sessions on mental health and addiction, nutrition workshops based on biblical principles, and faith‑centered support groups.

2. Community Outreach – FaithFit runs a weekly “Fit‑4‑Faith” class that invites members of the local churches to join a 45‑minute cardio session followed by a 15‑minute prayer circle. “It’s about creating a space where people can experience God through movement,” Kelsey says.

3. Service‑Based Revenue – Instead of a subscription model, the Harrises charge a modest membership fee but donate the difference between revenue and operating costs to local charities. The gym’s “Fit‑4‑Future” scholarship program, which offers free gym memberships to at‑risk youth, is funded through a partnership with the Baton Rouge YMCA and the local food bank.

4. Integration of Scripture – Each exercise circuit is paired with a Bible verse. For instance, a set of squats might be accompanied by Psalm 91: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This practice turns every workout into a form of worship.

5. Training and Accountability – Coaches at FaithFit receive training in pastoral care, enabling them to offer spiritual guidance when a client’s faith is questioned or when they’re facing personal hardship.

The Impact on Baton Rouge

Since opening, FaithFit has become a cultural touchstone in the Baton Rouge area. The gym’s website reports that over 80 % of its members come from the surrounding churches, and 65 % of them are youth who otherwise would not have had access to a safe, supportive environment. “We’re seeing kids who used to be lost in the streets now walk in on time for classes and show up for church,” notes Pastor Thomas Reed of St. Luke’s Baptist Church, who has partnered with the gym to host a monthly “Youth Revival” fitness‑and‑faith program.

The Harrises’ initiative also aligns with a broader movement in the Southern gospel community. A recent article in The Advocate—“Faith Matters: Baton Rouge Couple Sees Fitness as a Service Ministry”—highlights how FaithFit’s model mirrors that of "Christian Body Works" in Houston, which was featured in the Houston Chronicle last year. The Houston group, founded by former Catholic nun Teresa “Tess” Garcia, also couples biblical teachings with fitness classes and has successfully funded a scholarship for low‑income families.

According to the Harrises, the impact is both tangible and intangible. “Last year, we had 20 members drop their diabetes after a year of our combined nutrition and exercise plan,” says Kelsey. “And beyond the numbers, I hear people talk about how the prayer circles give them a sense of belonging that they hadn’t found elsewhere.”

Facing the Challenges

Running a faith‑based fitness center isn’t without its hurdles. The Harrises cite regulatory compliance, insurance challenges, and skepticism from some church leaders who worry that fitness might distract from spiritual devotion. To address these concerns, Aaron has taken the initiative to attend the Baton Rouge Conference on Faith‑Based Business Practices (BRCFBP) and has published a white paper titled “The Theology of Physical Ministry,” which has been adopted by a handful of local churches as a training guide.

“We’re navigating a fine line,” Aaron admits. “But the feedback from our community has shown us that we’re meeting a real need. When people say they’re feeling spiritually drained, I ask them if they’re also feeling physically drained. The answer is almost always yes.”

Looking Ahead

In 2026, the Harris couple plans to expand FaithFit into a second location on the West End, offering a “Seniors’ Strength” program designed specifically for those over 60. They’re also developing a mobile app, “FaithFit Tracker,” that integrates scripture reminders with workout logs, enabling members to “pray while they lift.” The Harrises see the app as a way to reach those who can’t physically come to the gym but still want to experience the ministry.

Beyond the gym, they have established a mentorship network that pairs older members with younger ones, creating a pipeline of leadership within the community. They’re also exploring a partnership with the Baton Rouge Public Schools to incorporate faith‑based physical education modules into the curriculum.

A Message for Readers

The Harrises close each week’s sermon‑in‑the‑gym with a simple yet powerful message: “Your body is a temple. Keep it clean, keep it strong, and let it praise.” This message has become a rallying cry not only for the members of FaithFit but also for anyone looking to merge their spiritual convictions with a passion for health and community service.

In a world where the lines between physical and spiritual wellness are becoming increasingly blurred, the Harris couple offers a compelling blueprint for how faith can serve as a catalyst for positive change in everyday life. Their work demonstrates that with vision, dedication, and a willingness to blend scripture with sweat, a couple can indeed turn a gym into a ministry—one workout at a time.