Mission & Methods
Strengthen the fitness community for Christ-centered living and impact
Engage by inspiring the community to pursue greatness through authentic relationships, social media and competition presence
Equip our community by providing enriching content, “Iron Sharpens Iron” weekend training camps three times per year, chapter events in cities around the world, and an annual “IMPACT” conference for chapter leadership teams
Expand when our leaders and those whom they influence are mature disciples of Christ, making disciples, serving their communities and engaging and equipping others as described above.
Values
Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through:
Integrity: We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately, and publicly. (Proverbs 11:3)
Unity: We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships. (Philippians 2:1-4)
Service: We will model Jesus’ example of serving. (John 13:1-17)
Excellence: We will honor and glorify God in all we do. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Programs
Chapters: Volunteer-led chapters strengthen the fitness community through workouts, prayer, teaching, open discussion, social and service events. People of all beliefs are encouraged to attend. This is the heart of Faith Rx'd.
Training Events: Each ”Iron Sharpens Iron” weekend event allows participants to grow physically and spiritually as they train with our world-class coaches and connect with fellow athletes, coaches and box owners. They learn how faith can bring renewed purpose to their athletic performance, profession and relationships, and steer them in the direction God desires for their life.
Service: Apply goal setting, strength, determination and teamwork inspired by the example and admonition of Christ and refined by the challenge of functional fitness to serve a world in need. Our staff will work closely with Chapter leaders to create local and international opportunities for sustained, life-giving impact. Partnerships with other successful nonprofit service organizations may include Habitat for Humanity, Shield of Faith Missions, Living Water, Special Olympics, e3 Partners, and local churches. We base our work in this area on Christ's admonition to serve him by loving and serving our neighbor (Matthew 22:29 and 25:35-40).
Competition Presence: Leaders may pray with receptive competitors, host a devotion, and/or staff a booth for athletes and fans to become familiar with the opportunities provided by Faith Rx’d. Branded gear helps promote and fund our mission. National staff oversee coordination of primary events like the CrossFit Games, Regionals and Wodapalooza, while local chapters support local competitions.
Rx'd Defined
The term “Rx'd” is pulled from medicine and applied to functional fitness to also mean following a set protocol “as prescribed.” A coach programs a workout with desired movements, ranges of motion, weights, sets and reps. The athlete either accomplishes the work as prescribed (Rx'd) or must scale/modify to accommodate lesser ability or readiness to do the work. Applied to faith, Jesus provided the ultimate example of carrying out the Father's will, “Rx'd,” fully accomplishing his prescribed mission by dying on the cross in exchange for our sins despite extreme pain, suffering and sacrifice (John 15:13). Faith Rx’d encourages commitment to following His example: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2). We seek to live out our faith in a similarly obedient way, as prescribed by God through His Word, the Bible.
Beliefs
The Bible: The scriptures of the Old & New Testament as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant and infallible in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12,13
The Godhead: We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ: That Jesus Christ was begotten by God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary. That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood. In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into heaven and His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us. That all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life. John 1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2
The Second Coming of Christ: We believe in the blessed hope, which is the personal, visible and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit: That the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is the life of the believer and He empowers the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18)
Mankind: That mankind was created in the image of God, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God, and that human beings are born with a sinful nature. Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12
The Church: Of whose mission it is to preach the Scriptures to all the world, all of its endeavors being guided by multiple leadership and supported by the wise stewardship of God's people.
Leadership
Becky Conzelman
Faith in Jesus Christ and athletics have played a central role in the life of Becky Conzelman. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she competed in soccer, swimming, diving, track (800M, mile) and basketball. While a student at Miami University (Ohio) she became involved with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) while competing in her first triathlon and bike race. After graduating with honors with a BA in Speech Communication/Public Relations, she served as Special Events Coordinator for the Colorado Special Olympics.
While working as a Church Youth Director in Hawaii In 1996, she began racing more competitively in triathlon and road cycling. She raced professionally on the road for three years (1999-2002), taking second in the USCF Elite National Criterium Championships. She then shifted her focus to track cycling where she competed internationally for the U.S. National Cycling Team from 2002-2005. She represented the US at two World Championships, three World Cups and is a three-time National Champion.
In 2005, she committed to serving the athletic community full time when she established the Lehigh Valley, PA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and became its first Area Director. She championed all aspects of strategic development, programming, youth education, volunteer coordination and fundraising.
In August, 2009, after the birth of two children and a four-year hiatus from training, Becky was introduced to CrossFit. She instantly drew to the sport and competed as an individual in the 2011 and 2012 CrossFit Games, placing 24th and 14th respectively. In the 2013 Games, Becky placed second in the 40-44 age category, and extended her Games appearances to five in 2014 and 2015 as a Team Member of BackCountry CrossFit. As a coach, Becky earned a Level 1 certification from both CrossFit and USA Weightlifting.
Becky is encouraged by the strong faith of so many of her fellow athletes and coaches. She is passionate about the amazing opportunity to serve the fitness community as a co-founder and Executive Director of Faith Rx’d by uniting athletes, encouraging them in their faith, and providing resources to help them create greater impact.
Facebook Athlete Page
Blog
FCA Article
Jim Conzelman
Jim co-founded Faith Rx'd, serves as a member of the Executive Team, and runs daily operations, focusing on enabling staff and chapter leaders to execute the mission of Faith Rx'd. He previously served 20 years in the Navy as a P-3 Naval Flight Officer, Naval Academy leadership instructor, strategic manpower planner in the Pentagon, and Commanding Officer of one of the largest Navy Operational Support Centers. He has used functional fitness at a variety of affiliates while moving between duty stations to stay fit for the Navy and now life in general.
Chip Pugh
Chip Pugh co-founded Faith Rx'd, serves as a member of our Executive Team, leads our monthly chapter leader web conferences, coaches and speaks at our Iron Sharpens Iron events, and writes “Faith Workout” posts to our homepage. He also serves as Campus Minister to Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN.
Prior to his work in campus ministry, he served as the Director of Athletic Performance for seven years at Tennessee Tech University. He began his work in collegiate strength and conditioning at his alma mater, Ohio University, where he played as an offensive lineman on the football team.
Chip has been heavily involved in CrossFit since 2009. He began his original affiliate, CrossFit Cookeville, which operated at the TTU Athletic Performance Center until the fall of 2012. God used this affiliate to birth many great works in the local community and beyond, including introducing Rich Froning and Elijah Muhammad to the sport of CrossFit.
Chip and his wife, Nicole, along with their two girls, enjoy hosting and participating in various clinics, workshops, marriage enrichment courses, and other ministry efforts.