Body and Soul

Body and Soul is a wellness program for African American churches that supports church members in eating more healthy foods and moving more. Research shows that church members who take part in Body and Soul increase their intake of many fruits and veggies. The Body and Soul program is made up of four pillars (parts):

The pillars create a setting where church members can take steps to improve their health. The goal is to get church members healthy and to reduce their risk for chronic disease.

If your church is interested in joining the Body and Soul program, please click on the link at the top of the page or contact Evelyn González, Senior Director of Community Outreach, at 215-728-3689.

Visit the Body and Soul website to learn more about the benefits of this wellness program.

Body and Soul Testimonials

"I love the concept of the Body and Soul program, and I believe in its core values of healthy eating. Many times people do not try different meals, because they think they will not like the way they taste. So the program gave us a chance to introduce delicious healthy meals to them. Overall, the people were encouraged to stick to the new changes and to incorporate them into their lifestyle."
- Pastor Timothy Sturrup, Greater Shiloh North

"As a result of Body and Soul, the culinary committee at Baptist Temple Church has instituted a healthier eating menu to serve to church members and guests. The Pastor has also initiated a challenge to all of the members to try to lose weight and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Overall, Body and Soul has been a huge success for our church."
- Gwen Lindsey, Body and Soul Coordinator, Baptist Temple Church, Pittsburgh, PA

"From his initial presentation, Pastor King said that becoming involved in Body and Soul could only be a win-win situation for the congregation and that there was no reason to not get involved when the worst that could happen was a win! The Body and Soul Committee has noted an increase in member participation since Pastor King has clearly made the connection between who we are spiritually and who we are physically."
- Robert Moore and Ruthie King, Body and Soul Campaign Coordinators, Greater Emmanuel A.M.E. Zion Church, Aliquippa, PA

"Coming from a family background of diabetes and high blood pressure, not only was Body and Soul a great motivation to help myself stay in good health, but also a way to better educate my family members who have been diagnosed with a disease or illness."
- Janay K. Eleazer, Morris Chapel Baptist Church