On Friday, March 21, Delight Ministries gathered for a workout class at Pure Barre at 7 p.m.
Delight Ministries is a women’s ministry at Union University that is open to all female students. The women of Delight gather every Thursday to study the Bible and connect with one another.
Delight held its first event at Pure Barre this time last year and decided to invite the ladies to work out again this year.
The 55-minute workout class consisted of a series of high-intensity workouts that focused on strength and flexibility. The workouts targeted essential areas of the body, like abdominal muscles, biceps, gluteal muscles and quadriceps.
“We’re focusing on honoring God with our bodies, and we do that by taking care of them, exercising and being healthy. So, this is just a fun way to do it together,” Chayselyn Dabbs, a junior exercise science major and Delight leader said.
Outside of Bible studies, Delight finds opportunities to spend time with each other in ways that build on their ministry.
Though the women of Delight enjoy doing less strenuous activities like painting, movie nights and eating meals together, they recognize the importance of spending time doing physically intensive activities as well.
“I hope they have fun. I hope that they feel like they have done something hard, and they feel strong,” Lindsey Atwood, a senior social work major and Delight leader, said.
The class was led by Susie Oliver, first lady of Union University. Oliver first came to Pure Barre as a client eight years ago before becoming a class leader.
Oliver finds fulfillment in encouraging other women to exercise and still exercises at Pure Barre herself.
“I like the ministry of working with women. I feel like I can work with women of all ages being an older woman, and I can inspire older women to keep working out. I feel like that’s where the Lord’s led me,” Oliver said. “I feel like I have gifts and talents and it’s just a great ministry because people come through the doors with lots of things and just being able to be here for them and smile, listen to them, encourage them, lets them know they can do this!”
“It can be fun to exercise, and it can be fun to take care of your body. It deepens the community and deepens the relationships,” Dabbs said. “You’ve been vulnerable working out with each other and seeing each other’s strengths and weaknesses and so you might be more comfortable to have a conversation.”
Delight is hoping to attend more classes at Pure Barre in the future, in both the fall and spring semesters.
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