Sports Chaplaincy UK, which provides and support chaplains in professional and amateur sports, has partnered with an organisation that will put chaplains in gyms across the nation.
The charity's partnership with Fit Lives, which already has 45 coordinators in gyms, will enable the organisation to have a farther reach.
Speaking about this new venture, Dave Courteen, Chair of Fit Lives said: "The work that Sports Chaplaincy UK is doing is widely recognised and I am confident that they will help see more chaplains within gyms. I would join with their call to see how Christians can respond to this growing opportunity."
Sports Chaplaincy UK said the role of a sports chaplain in a gym is similar to that of a chaplain involved in more traditional club sports with the same "values of presence, excellence, relationship, confidentiality and humility being paramount".
Warren Evans, Chief Executive of Sports Chaplaincy UK, told Premier about the evangelistic side of the program.
He said: "People go to gyms for not just getting fit, but there's a whole well-being, identity, community and image.
"I think that's a great opportunity for the Church to go in, be the hands and feet of Jesus, and really meet that community where it's at, just being the presence of God, being a listening ear and being able to help people."
A training session is required for those wishing to become a sports chaplain in a gym. The group said that people shouldn't be put off of joining the team for fears of not being fit enough.
Evans told Premier: "The preconceived idea that if you don't have a six pack, you can't be a sports chaplain... there's different shapes and sizes and different personalities of people that go to gyms and Christians are exactly the same. So don't be fearful, but actually go with the confidence that we've got something to give, and that gift is the hope of Jesus."
Listen to Warren Evans speaking with Premier's Eno Adeogun here:
