Greetings!
GO InterNational's mission is to help people develop and pursue their passion for fulfilling the great commission. Many times, ON the GO tells you about a recent mission trip. This week's story is different and I think you'll find it interesting! Thank you for your time. God bless!
Ron Houp
Sr. Vice President
Josh and Jennifer Reynolds serve as missionaries in Mexico with GO InterNational as church planters. They recently added the new job titles of CrossFit instructors. They are part of a Mexican franchise that offers CrossFit classes. The gym they have opened offers these classes and seminars on nutrition. Their center also houses a variety of different exercise equipment. For a those interested, there is gymnastic equipment such as pull-up bars, rings, and paralletes.
For the person really wanting to break a sweat, they offer Olympic weight lifting, including rubber plates and barbells. And that's not all; they have kettle bells, plyo boxes, a concept 2 rower, squat racks, medicine balls up to 20lbs, jump ropes, mats for exercising the abs, and a glute-ham developer. The gives the public nearly every type of work-out available.
You may ask how missionary church planters came to the decision to open a gym. Its an interesting story, and an example of which shows just how perfect God's planning is, and dates all the way back to Josh and Jennifer's Asbury College days.
For most college students, changing majors to find their niche is normal. It was the same for Josh. Before he was a History and World Languages major, he studied Exercise Science. He dreamed of becoming a conditioning coach for a football team. "Owning a gym was always something we saw as a possibility in ministry."
"Taking the plunge into starting a business ministry in Mexico and dealing with all the paperwork was challenging, but because we knew God would be able to use the gym for his glory we knew it was worth the work. We began seriously pursuing opening a gym in March of this year," Jennifer said.
The gym opened on July 30. It was a trial and error process in the beginning. When they began offering CrossFit classes Josh was the only teacher, which meant 12 hour work days. "Now a good friend, Enrique, is teaching as well. We hope to have at least 2 more people who are capable of giving classes eventually," Jennifer said. They are developing relationships and sharing the Gospel with everyone who comes through the door of their center.
God has used their efforts to touch lives. Their friend Lety, is an example. She is a part of Josh & jennifer's home bible study group. Lety came to them with the news that she had been diagnosed with diabetes. Before he opened the fitness center, Josh went to Lety's home three times a week, giving her and her family CrossFit classes. In three months, Lety lost 35 pounds and her family's health improved immensely. The family now goes to the center several times a week and continue to receive the advice, classes and support that was started in their home. "We think God has worked a miracle in the lives of these dear friends and we are thankful for what he will continue to do through us at the gym," Jennifer said.
