Top 50 Fittest Mega Churches in America

Regardless of religious preferences, Samir Becic and the Health Fitness Revolution Team have made a list of the Top 50 Fittest Mega Churches in America. We’ve researched all the possible data that was available on over 1,000 churches and what they offer their members. We’ve complied a list of the different churches in America and narrowed it down from 500, to 250, to 150, to 100, and finally to 50.

We used a combination of interviews, internet, library, industry literature, and Samir Becic’s knowledge of over 25 years in athletics coupled with his experience as a four-time No. 1 Fitness Trainer in the World.

“Spiritual awareness is one of the key components of healthy lifestyle that impacts the whole body and rejuvenates the spirit. Physical fitness and healthy nutrition allows that spirit to flourish to new dimensions and many people experience a closer relationship to God.” – Samir Becic

“The Mega-Churches of today hold a strong influence on the general opinion of mainstream America. Followers look for daily guidance from pastors and heads of ministries on the best way to live their lives and raise their families. It is enormously important to provide the churches with the correct knowledge on fitness and proper nutrition so they can influence and better their members lives.”-Samir Becic

Here are the Top 50 from Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book ReSYNC Your Life Samir Becic:

 

Lakewood Church – Houston, TX

• Attendance: 43,500
• Members: 45,000
• Offers yearly Total Life Challenge (currently in fourth year) class for complete physical fitness and inner peace.
• Provides strength and conditioning class
• Zumba class
• Nutritional classes

• Has a basketball court
• One of the first mega challenges with fitness expert Samir Becic
• Pastor Joel OSteen is very fit himself, and by appointing Samir Becic as head of Health and Fitness is trying to make a point that fitness is an important factor in the Church.
• Has many trainers to expand healthy lifestyle choices to all of the congregation.
• Invites many fitness experts to participate in discussions
• Many pastors from the church are very fit and health conscious
• Both Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen made out list of the top 10 Fittests Pastors of America
• They do many promotions with their members can buy health products at an affordable price.

Second Baptist Church – Houston, TX

• Attendance: 23,659
• Gym
• Personal trainers
• Fitness classes include: core conditioning, interval, TRX, bootcamp, aerobics, Spin, foam roller.
• Indoor and outdoor track
• Whirlpool and sauna in locker rooms
• Full size weight room and plenty of cardio equipment
• Sports leagues

Willowcreek Community Church – South Barrington, IL

• Attendance: 22,500
• Has a sports ministry that runs several Fall, Winter, and Spring leagues, including co-ed volleyball, women’s basketball, and men’s flag football
• During the Summer, they offer weekly sand volleyball pick-up games, running clubs, and yoga groups
• Tae Kwon Do classes meet year-round

LifeChurch.TV – Edmond, OK

• Attendance: 20,823
• Employees receive quarterly reimbursements for gym memberships, sporting fees, fitness equipment, and more
• Partners with Compassion International’s Child Survival Programs, which provides parents with education about various things, including health and nutrition
• Also partners with The Chalmer Center, which teaches people about managing their businesses, households, and health

Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, CA

• Attendance: 23632
• Installed an outdoor fitness course on its property that is free for the community to use
• The half-mile course includes five stations, featuring a variety of equipment designed to target different muscle groups
• Pastor Rick Warren wrote the book “Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life”
• The Daniel Plan is a healthy lifestyle program that shows how the powerful combination of Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends can change your health forever
• The Daniel Plan Health initiative now influences hundreds of churches across America
• Hosts an annual Daniel Plan Health & Fitness Rally, the most recent being in January 2015
• Hosted the Daniel Plan Fun Walk & Run
• Has a Sports and Fitness ministry, which organizes recreation, leisure, and sports activities to benefit participants’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health (examples include: softball, basketball, soccer, golf, badminton, cycling, surfing, hiking, fitness, youth sports, prison sports, karate, tennis, and sports clinics)
• Has the Saddleback Organic Garden Ministry, which aims to grow organic produce that will be distributed to needy families
• Lead Pastor Rick Warren made 2 of our lists: Top 10 Fittest Pastors in America and Top 10 Fittest Christian Leaders

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Attendance: 18,000
• Has an on-site restaurant (The Grill) that offers healthy menu items
• Calvary Sports exists to make disciples by connecting people with a passion for sports/fitness and a passion for Jesus
• Offers 17 fitness classes for men and women, including strength and conditioning, Zumba, core stretch, indoor cycling, power cardio, kickboxing, and more
• Also offers youth and adult sports programs

The Potter’s House – Dallas, TX

• Attendance: 17,000
• Pastor T.D. Jakes has been at the forefront of the health crusade in the black church
• Has a Health Ministry
• God’s Leading Ladies Life Enrichment Program includes physical fitness and healthy habits as part of the curriculum
• The Medical Ministry consists of health care professionals and lay individuals dedicated to promoting health awareness, safety, and health maintenance in the church and community
• Partnered with the YMCA, the American Heart Association, and Walgreens to host the Walkin’ and Rollin’ For Life Event in 2012
• The event promoted exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle at any age and included a 5K walk/run/bike ride followed by a health expo

Southeast Christian Church – Louisville, KY

• Attendance: 16,264
• Has a Sports and Fitness Center, a 64,000+ square-foot facility and resource for the development of overall health
• The indoor area includes basketball courts, volleyball courts, racquetball courts, a suspended walking track, and group fitness rooms
• The outdoor area includes baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and a walking track
• The Sports and Fitness Ministry offers many programs that encourage participants to stay fit and connect with others through fitness; programs include seasonal Boot Camp classes, mini marathon training, and group fitness classes
• The Ministry also offers a variety of youth and adult sports

Hopewell Missionary Baptist – Norcross, GA

• Attendance: 16,000
• Has a Fitness and Wellness Center on campus with the purpose of providing creative and meaningful fitness activities for members in a Christian environment
• The Music, Worship, and Creative arts ministry includes dance
• Has a Health Ministry; its mission is to educate the congregation and surrounding community about living a healthy lifestyle and choosing healthy behaviors
• Has a Recreation and Athletics ministry, which makes athletics and recreational activities available to both youth and adults
• Hopewell has made efforts to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the black community

New Birth Missionary Baptist – Lithonia, GA

• Attendance: 15,000
• Held a “Go Red” Sunday in February to bring awareness to the importance of “Heart Health” in the community
• New Birth Student Ministries involve arts, sports, community service, business, and education
• Held a “Diabetes Day” in 2009 in which members of the congregation participated in diabetes screenings and attended information sessions following Sunday services
• At the event, pastor Eddie Long said, “We can take steps to reduce our risk – like eating healthier foods and exercising regularly”
• Has a fitness center on campus
• Held a fitness webinar in June 2010 that addressed how to live long, live strong, and live well by making a few adjustments to your daily habits

Green Acres Baptist Church- Tyler, TX

• 15,000 members
• Weight room
• Cardio room
• Full size gym
• Zumba classes
• Bodypump class
• Body Vive (low impact cardio) class
• Yoga
• Pilates

Prestonwood Baptist Church – Plano, TX

• Attendance: 14,450
• Prestonwood Sports Organization (PSO) offers children’s and adult sports programs and leagues
• Opened the Prestonwood Sports & Fitness Center in 2000
• The indoor facilities include three basketball courts, a weight room, cardio room, aerobics room, and an indoor walking/jogging track
• Outdoor facilities include two sand volleyball courts, and football, softball, and soccer fields
• Children’s sports leagues and camps include baseball, basketball, football, cheerleading, and soccer
• Adult sports leagues include basketball, softball, volleyball, and martial arts

McLean Bible Church – McClean, VA

• Attendance: 13,699
• MBC Body & Soul Fitness has classes and other activities designed to help people get (and stay) in shape
• The MBC Tysons Athletics Ministry has leagues and pick-up sports, including basketball, hiking/camping, indoor soccer, ultimate frisbee, and ping pong

Harvest Christian Fellowship – Riverside, CA

• Attendance: 12,000
• Has a basketball, Harvest fitness boot camp, softball, surf fellowship, volleyball, and youth soccer ministry
• The Harvest fitness boot camp offers weekly workout classes to maintain a lifestyle of fulfillment and fitness

 Champion Baptist Forest Church- Houston, TX

• 12,000 members
• Cardiovascular equipment
• Weight room
• 2 full size gyms
• Jogging/walking track
• Racquetball courts
• Adult sports: Ultimate frisbee
• Kids sports: basketball, tae kwon do, volleyball, martial arts and summer camps
• Low impact aerobics class
• Pilates class
• Body blaster class (weights and running)
• Wholyfit
• Kickboxing
• Cardio/weights fusion
• Flex and flow
• Refit
• Nutrition class
• Made our Top 20 Fittest Churches in Texas list

Fountain of Praise – Houston, TX

• Attendance: 11,752
• Aims to develop a kingdom of empowered people for God that are committed to revitalizing and establishing ministries that teach and encourage believers to return to spiritual integrity, and restore emotional and physical health to all of God’s people
• Has a health and wellness ministry
• The ministry’s goal is to educate members and the community on the importance of having a balanced life, which includes spiritual and physical fitness
• Educating the congregation and the community on healthy living is a priority for the wellness ministry

Free Chapel Worship Center – Gainesville, GA

• Attendance: 11,500
• Has basketball, flag football, golf, softball, hiking, running, and tennis groups

Lake Pointe Church – Rockwall, TX

• Attendance: 11,133
• Lake Pointe Sports, an outreach ministry of Lake Pointe Church, offers children ages 4 through 8th grade the opportunity to participate in recreational sports leagues in a non-threatening, non-competitive environment; also offers sporting opportunities for younger children and adults
• Helps out with Hope Clinic, which exists to share the love of Jesus Christ by partnering with the community to provide primary health care and resources for healthy living to the underserved population

Hyde Park Baptist and the Quarries Church- Austin, TX

• 11,000 members
• Rockwall
• Fitness center
• Weight room
• 100 yard indoor running track
• Tennis courts
• Basketball courts
• Youth sport leagues
• Zumba class
• Stretch class
• Pilates class
• Step aerobics class
• Senior fitness class

Harvest Bible Chapel – Rolling Meadows, IL

• Attendance: 10,988
• Has a Sports Ministry, which utilizes sport and fitness to help build men and women into passionate followers of Christ
• The Sports Ministry hosts leagues, events, and classes

The Rock Church – San Diego, CA

• Attendance: 10,878
• Has a skateboard ministry that has daily skate sessions
• Has a food cooperative ministry, which provides food and an entire wellness program for churches around San Diego County; includes nutrition and physical activity education
• Has a nutrition ministry that equips individuals with knowledge on how to strengthen and heal their bodies with food and lifestyle choices; offers a 6 month transformation class or an 8 week devotional series, which provides tools to lead a healthy lifestyle
• From the church’s website: “Let’s get healthy in 2015 and show that the Church is the place for healing and health!”

Gateway Church – Southlake, TX

• Offers and encourages community events, which also includes sporting events for kids and adults
• Skating nights/events
• Men’s flag football league
• Men’s Softball league
• Dance’s such as father daughter dances, and also family dances
• Holds seasonal camps for kids

BaySide Covenant Church – Roseville, CA

• Attendance- 10,052
• Held an event called CPR Saturday. American Red Cross volunteers gave free CPR lessons at Bayside. Program granted a year-long CPR certification to the participants. About 500 people attended.
• Bayside with the help of local businesses raised relief effort funds for the devastation caused by  2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
• Every year Bayside hosts a week-long festival for children called Breakaway. A day camp with activities such as, water games and arts and crafts. About 3000 children participate.
• Bayside’s Global Outreach Ministries sends a 100 church members every year to Cambodia, Colombia, India, Kenya and Nigeria to feed the hungry, fight to stop sex-trafficking of teen girls in Cambodia and provide education to end HIV/AIDS in Kenya.

St. Matthews Baptist Church – Williamstown, NJ

• Attendance: 10,035
• Features a dedicated Health Center
• Which includes fitness, aquatics, tennis, and community center
• Fitness center has a (Cardio) section treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines and steppers,
• Also has (Strength) section,Leg press, leg extension/curl, Lat pulldown, multipress,a bicep/triceps machine and free weights and body balls  (A full fledged gym pretty much)
• Computers are also available for use with internet access
• Has a Junior Olympic competition pool with 6 lanes, and Various swim instruction and safety equipment
• 2 indoor tennis courts for year round play
• Has a community development and recreation center
• Which includes community center, senior center, day camp, after school care, computer care, literacy center, counseling center and food pantry
• Their purpose: “St. Matthew’s Baptist Church. Its mission is to be a faith-based service provider. Our ultimate goal is to meet the physical, mental, spiritual, nutritional, social and educational needs of the community to enhance its quality of life.”

Faith Community Church – West Covina, CA

• Attendance: 10,000
• Has common interest groups for walking, hiking, Jiujitsu, and faith sports (including basketball, volleyball, flag football, and softball)
• Supports Mutual Faith Ministries, which renovated a building in Beirut, Lebanon that provides a free medical health clinic

Faith Landmark Ministries – Richmond, VA

• Attendance: 10,000
• Offers classes regarding healthy eating, “Fit to serve” classes
• Offers fitness classes as well
• Has various different classes on the daily bases of the weekly calendar, which include healthy eating (Healthy Diet) and Fitness (exercises) combination classes. “Fit to serve special needs fitness class”.
• Holds youth gathering events such as super  bowl parties and also youth educational classes regarding fitness and health.

First African Methodist Episcopal – Los Angeles, CA

• Attendance: 10,000
• Holds Boys Scouts meetings
• Has different types Dance/ rehearsals events
• Offers Yoga meditation classes
• Has Monthly blood pressure and blood sugar testing sessions.
• Has various drives for a good cause, such as a Bone Marrow Drive.
• Has various other meeting for good causes like, the “Care Givers” and “WMS Monthly Fedding”.
• Has a dedicated Counseling Center. to serve the purposes such as, Family, Couples, and Individual Counseling, parenting support, stress-management, self enhancement, help with depression, Anxiety and many other life issues, Grief and loss support and counseling, Child/Adolescent counseling and groups.

Mount Zion Baptist Church – Nashville, TN

• Attendance: 10,000
• Has a special program called “Church Fit Challenge”.
• At the end of the “Church Fit Challenge” $10000 worth of prizes will be given away. WOW what a great way to motivate and encourage people towards a healthy lifestyle.
• Challenge may be taken individually or as a team.
• The “Church Fit Challenge” incorporates class such as, Kickboxing, Pilates, Zumba, and cardio
• Nutritional cooking class are also available.
• With this wonderful program in place we are guessing then the church also has gym facility/equipment to accommodate the “Church Fit Challenge”.

World Changers Church International – College Park, GA

• Has a body sculpting center
• They provide training programs, proper exercise techniques, and balanced nutritional information.
• That have personal trainers and staff at the center at all times ready to offer help to every member
• Membership amenities include:
  • Nautilus Area
    Free Weight Area
    Cardiovascular Equipment including Bikes, Stair Climbers, Elliptical Gliders and Treadmills
    Lockers and Showers
    Heavenly Smoothies, Inc
    Free Body Assessments

Faith Fellowship Outreach Center – Sayreville, NJ

• Attendance: 9,200
• Educate and Promote Healthy Living “HEALTHY LIVING MINISTRIES”
• “We are dedicated to seeing the lives of our community live a whole and healthy lifestyle”.
• Offer group nutritional classes

Christian Cultural Center- Brooklyn, NY

• Attendance: 9,000
• Holds a day of health and wellness which includes screenings for:
  • Cholesterol
  • Dietary counseling
  • Fitness
  • Children’s activities
  • And more..
• They also have a Marriage fitness class called ‘Working it out’ which allows couples to workout together.

Saint Stephen Church- Louisville, KY

• Attendance: 9,000
• Offers the following classes at their family life center
  • Cardio blast
  • Cardio step
  • Kickboxing
  • Boot camp
  • Zumba
  • Line dance

Calvary Chapel – Chino Valley, CA

• Attendance: 8,500
• Has an athletics department in their ministries.
• Mentioned “It is our belief that we are to glorify God with our bodies”.
• Have the opportunity to be a coach, or participate in different sports year round.
• Such examples may include, Men’s and Co-ed Softball, Co-ed Volleyball, Men’s Basketball.
• There must facilities and equipment to accommodate the athletics
• Offer classes for “Kung Fo San Soo” (Martial Arts)

Angelus Temple – Los Angeles, CA

• Attendance: 8,272
• “This church would serve the inner-city’s physical and spiritual needs, bringing a message of hope to the seemingly hopeless.”
• Started in 1994 without a church, they taught in the gym until 2001 when they opened up a church

Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, CA

• Attendance: 8,258
• Built a Gym in 1971
• Has a basketball outreach every Monday night for members of the community
• They also have a volleyball outreach where they play for 2 hours with a break in the middle where the gospel is presented

The Church Without Walls – Houston, TX

• Attendance: 8,250
• Has a Recreation Ministry where they offer programs for basketball, volleyball and other sports.
• Over 200 children and youth play team sports throughout the year.
• Offers a gym to the church’s members
• The adults have a volleyball league, flag football league, softball league, bowling league, and a Men’s Basketball league
• They also offer the following classes:
  • Turbo Kick
  • Line dancing
  • Health/wellness class
  • Beginner yoga
  • Walking group
  • Cardio pump

Hickory Grove Baptist Church – Charlotte, NC

• Attendance: 7,900
• Has a Family Life Center that includes three wooden gymnasium floors, an indoor track, racquetball courts, and a fitness room
• Offer Sports Ministry offers a wide range of sports and activities for children, teenagers, and adults
• Adult softball
• Adult flag football
• Golf retreat
• Youth basketball
• Youth cheerleading
• Youth baseball/softball
• Youth soccer

James River Assembly- Ozark, MO

• Attendance: 7,716
• Has a River Fitness Center with certified fitness instructors
• The fitness center has many group fitness classes that will help promote members fitness development
• Offers zumba classes

Hope Presbyterian Church- Memphis, TN

• Attendance: 7,500
• The church runs a youth football program for first- through sixth-graders.
• Sponsors the Boy Scout Troop 338
• Has 5 soccer/football fields
• Has 2 baseball/softball fields
• Has a gym that includes 2 full size basketball courts, also home to several other sports and fitness classes

Shepherd of the Hills Church- Porter Ranch, CA

• Attendance: 7,400
• They provide opportunities for everyone in the community a place to be active
• Has a health & fitness and club ministries
• They have bootcamp classes
• Men’s basketball league
• Youth basketball league
• Co-ed Softball
• Co-ed Volleyball

Celebration Church – Jacksonville, FL

• Attendance: 7,015
• Have Fitness community groups
• Offer Fitness classes
• Offer Zumba classes
• Offer Yoga classes
• Coed Flag Football
• Coed Ultimate Frisbee
• Coed Soccer
• Coed Volleyball

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church – Miami, FL

• Attendance: 7,000
• Hosts an Annual Fresh Start Fitness Health Fair
• Encourage activities that help eliminate or reduce blood pressure levels, diabetes, and high cholesterol
• The church joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge, a weight loss competition, coming first among churches.
• Offers workout classes
• Teaches fasting and cooking

Elmbrook Church – Brookfield, WI

• Attendance: 7,000
• Includes a gymnasium
• Offer ballet classes
• Has a training coach who teaches wilderness survival
• They have a badminton group

First Baptist Church – Orlando, FL

• Attendance: 7,000
• The church have fitness instructors
• offers a workout program called Total Sculpt, which offers a spiritual element to weight loss
• Twice-weekly they have sessions that combine step aerobics, weight training, boxing and stretching performed to Christian music

The Chapel- Arkon, OH

• Attendance: 7,000
• Offer many sports ministry opportunities throughout the year.
• Hosts The Labor of Love Run which is held every year on Labor Day at the Akron Campus and features a 1-mile fun run as well as 5-mile individual and relay races.
• The Akron Campus features a gymnasium and an urban outreach program that works especially hard to serve the city’s public grade schools

First Baptist Church Amarillo- Amarillo, Texas

• Amarillo, Texas
• Over 6,000 members
• State of the art weight room
• cardio room
• Full size gym
• Weight room
• Indoor track
• Playland for kids
• Upward sports
• Yoga class
• Senior men’s fitness
• Men’s fitness
• Ladies fitness
• Boot camp
• Made our Top 20 Fittest Churches in Texas List

First Baptist Houston- Houston, TX

• About 6,000 members
• Personal Training
• Sculpting class
• Zumba and zumba kids
• Godspeed (cardio)
• Lift
• Step
• Bootcamp
• Circuit
• Abs
• Stretch
• Foam rolling class
• Senior fitness class
• Pilates
• TRX suspension training
• Perfect alignment (Yoga alternative)
• Made our Top 20 Fittest Churches in Texas List

Walnut Street Baptist Church- Louisville, Kentucky

• Attendance: 900 in person, 40,000 live stream/TV
• In the early 1960s built a six-story health facility with a bowling alley

Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church- Atlanta, GA

• The 70,000 square foot facility includes a large indoor pool and track
• Weight Room
• Cardio Center
• Gymnasium
• Racquetball Court
• Personal Trainers
• There are programs for children, caregivers, and others
• “People who use the Family Life Center are provided with the opportunities to grow physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.”

Christ United Methodist Church- Plano, TX

• Large sized church
• 6 basketball goals
• Indoor track
• Full size weight room
• Kitchen
• Basketball league
• Volleyball league
• Cheer leading
• Dance classes
• Camping trips
• Health education
• Tai Chi class
• Karate
• Yoga for all levels
• Yin yoga
• Teen yoga
• Novice yoga
• Chair yoga
• Balls and bands
• Body sculpting
• Circuits
• Core and tone
• Boot camps
• Active adults
• Insanity
• Zumba
• Beginner tap dance

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