By Sharon Chandler | SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER

Beginning in March, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church kicked-off a 90 Day Campaign to educate and empower its members and the Oak Park community to be more health conscious, by eating more fruits and vegetables and by increasing their physical activity.

Free educational workshops, cooking demonstrations, dance classes, therapeutic massage, and access to the Dr. Ephraim Williams Family Life Center provided the ‘push’ more than 300 bodies needed to begin a healthier lifestyle. June 5th is the official ‘weigh-in.’

Leading by example is St. Paul’s Pastor Dr. Ephraim Williams who has adopted a daily regimen of walking, strengthening exercises, increasing his fruit and vegetable intake, and the elimination of cheddar cheese (his favorite dairy product) and sodas.

Pastor Williams says that his ultimate goal is not so much to lose weight, but to be able to enjoy life to its fullest by accomplishing what he wants, increasing the benefits of good health.

During the interview, Williams took a moment to give an account of his recent absence from the pulpit.

“A few weeks ago, I was hospitalized with what the doctors think was a light stroke,” he says.

"It still has not been determined, but I was prescribed physical therapy for a slight limp. Every day I walk around the inside of this gym (Family Life Center) at least 10 times, I get on the treadmill, I do wall push-ups, and body twists to increase circulation and strengthen muscle,” stated the Pastor.

Williams explains his viewpoint on the importance of men maintaining a healthy outlook and attitude about life.

“Men get so many illnesses that have an affect on their mental attitudes about life and the way they treat their families. Being in good physical and mental condition is necessary as the head of the family unit. Sleeping better and enjoying life are the benefits of better health,” the Pastor said.

“Participating in this program has increased good fellowship amongst our families. It is something we can all do together and support each other as a team. The media provides information for African Americans about our health issues, but I think we need stronger motivations to ‘gettin’ us goin’,” he said.

“In church we talk about health’s benefits all the time, because good health is talked about in the Bible. You can’t serve God if you’re in bad health. We should all take a lesson from Jesus, who was not a huge man. He was constantly praying all night, fasting for days on end, and meditating. These are good tools for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. The best thing I have going for me, is my memory,” smiled Pastor Williams.

“The thinking process is the greatest gift given to us. I know that reading the Bible helps us renew our minds dail,” he added.

Pastor Williams goes on to say, “I have talked with senior citizens in their 70’s and 80’s who are participating in this 90-Day Challenge and they are excited about regaining their lost energy, along with losing weight.”

“We plan to continue offering exercise programs for every age group here at the Family Life Center. In the fall, we will concentrate on educating our youth on the benefits of a healthy mind and a healthy body with after school programs. Youth need to learn how to be of service because everything isn’t about academics,” he related.

Thinking about the future, Pastor Williams revealed his hopes for his congregation.

“My dream and goal for St. Paul is to begin programs teaching “positive thinking” techniques, that show us how what we read, eat and think is who we are,” he asserted.
Every day I thank God for giving me a positive attitude. I have tried to demonstrate and teach this all of my life,” he stated.