march 2023
20mar(mar 20)12:00 am28apr(apr 28)11:59 pmMy Place to Race 40-Day Challenge
Event Details
Join My Place to Race.com and support First Place for Health. The virtual My Place to Race - 40-Day Challenge is
Event Details
Join My Place to Race.com and support First Place for Health.
The virtual My Place to Race – 40-Day Challenge is a quest for fun and fitness. You can take this trek on foot — on a bike– outside or inside or substitute your favorite exercise activity for miles (20 minutes of activity equals one mile). You have the flexibility to complete your miles when it best suits your schedule. Registration is now open. The 40-day challenge begins on March 14th and ends 40-days later on April 22nd.
Consider creating a Social Team to stay motivated throughout the journey. Teams of 10 or more will get $10 discount off the entry fee. When the Team Leader registers, they will create a name for the team and set up a password. Then invite your team members to register and join your team. All members of a Social Team are linked by their team name and password. Once your team hits 10 members, the system will automatically refund $10 to the first 9 on the team who have already registered.
How can you help?
- Participate: Create or join a Social Team. Join in the discussion on the My Place to Race Facebook group.
- Publicize: Invite your friends and family to join in the 40-day challenge.
- Partner: We’d love to promote you. Consider providing items we will give away throughout the race. If you have something to donate or suggestions on items/companies/people we can solicit, please let us know. Email: Events@fp4h.com
- Praise: We are praising the Lord in advance for the funds we will raise to support the First Place for Health ministry.
Time
March 20 (Monday) 12:00 am - April 28 (Friday) 11:59 pm
Organizer
First Place for Healthevents@fp4h.com
24mar11:30 am12:15 pmInner Circle Meet Up - March
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support on your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support on your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and relatable resources to help live out God’s purpose for our lives. During our monthly connect meetings we will experience:
- Connection with each other and the First Place for Health Staff
- Small and Large Groups Topical Discussions
- Personal Accountability
- Valuable Q and A
- Encouragement for the Journey
- Praying for One Another
NOTE: The Zoom Meet Up is on the fourth Friday each month at 11:30AM Central Time. You must participate in the Inner Circle to attend the monthly Zoom meeting. Those who subscribe to the Inner Circle will receive an email invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
Time
(Friday) 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
april 2023
20mar(mar 20)12:00 am28apr(apr 28)11:59 pmMy Place to Race 40-Day Challenge
Event Details
Join My Place to Race.com and support First Place for Health. The virtual My Place to Race - 40-Day Challenge is
Event Details
Join My Place to Race.com and support First Place for Health.
The virtual My Place to Race – 40-Day Challenge is a quest for fun and fitness. You can take this trek on foot — on a bike– outside or inside or substitute your favorite exercise activity for miles (20 minutes of activity equals one mile). You have the flexibility to complete your miles when it best suits your schedule. Registration is now open. The 40-day challenge begins on March 14th and ends 40-days later on April 22nd.
Consider creating a Social Team to stay motivated throughout the journey. Teams of 10 or more will get $10 discount off the entry fee. When the Team Leader registers, they will create a name for the team and set up a password. Then invite your team members to register and join your team. All members of a Social Team are linked by their team name and password. Once your team hits 10 members, the system will automatically refund $10 to the first 9 on the team who have already registered.
How can you help?
- Participate: Create or join a Social Team. Join in the discussion on the My Place to Race Facebook group.
- Publicize: Invite your friends and family to join in the 40-day challenge.
- Partner: We’d love to promote you. Consider providing items we will give away throughout the race. If you have something to donate or suggestions on items/companies/people we can solicit, please let us know. Email: Events@fp4h.com
- Praise: We are praising the Lord in advance for the funds we will raise to support the First Place for Health ministry.
Time
March 20 (Monday) 12:00 am - April 28 (Friday) 11:59 pm
Organizer
First Place for Healthevents@fp4h.com
28aprAll Day30ReNEW ~ spiritual retreat for writers & speakers
Event Details
reNEW - spiritual retreat for writers and speakers "Grounded in Grace" April (27)28-30, 2023 at Camp-of-the-Woods, Speculator, NY Our National Director Vicki Heath will serve as
Event Details
reNEW – spiritual retreat for writers and speakers
“Grounded in Grace” April (27)28-30, 2023 at Camp-of-the-Woods, Speculator, NY
Our National Director Vicki Heath will serve as the Health Ambassador along with many other great event faculty.
reNEW and Camp-of-the-Woods are teaming up together to bring you reNEW 2023. Our reNEW retreat will be held at Camp-of-the-Woods in Speculator, NY. reNEW is open to all beginning and seasoned writers and speakers who desire to communicate the good news of Jesus through their written or spoken words. At reNEW, we believe the core of …
Time
april 28 (Friday) - 30 (Sunday)
28apr11:30 am12:15 pmInner Circle Meet Up - April
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and relatable resources to help each of us live out God’s purpose for our lives. During our monthly connect meetings we will:
- Connection with each other and the First Place for Health Staff
- Small and Large Groups Topical Discussions
- Personal Accountability
- Valuable Q and A
- Encouragement for the Journey
- Praying for One Another
NOTE: The Zoom Meet Up is on the fourth Friday each month at 11:30AM Central Time. You must participate in the Inner Circle to attend the monthly Zoom meeting. Those who subscribe to the Inner Circle will receive an email invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
Time
(Friday) 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
29apr9:00 am3:00 pmWellness Workshop – East Texas
Event Details
Fun and Fabulous Health and Wellness We are gathering to inspire, encourage and empower one another to
Event Details

Fun and Fabulous Health and Wellness
We are gathering to inspire, encourage and empower one another to healthy living with Christ first.
You are going to:
- Meet your new best friend
- Hear each others’ stories
- Hang out with First Place Team Members
- Fun Movement Minutes
- Be Inspired, Encouraged and Empowered
When: Saturday, April 29th 9am – 3pm CT
Location: Nacogdoches, TX Cost: $20
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Speakers:
Joyce Ainsworth Change Your Mind ~ Change Your Body ~ Change your Life! After losing 192 pounds Joyce was determined not to “Go Back” to her old lifestyle and poor eating habits. She lost weight and through the process developed a simple easy to follow plan that helps her maintain her new lifestyle. “This is not a program”, she says; “it is a Lifestyle.” Joyce is author of five books and four motivational audio CD’s. Her newest book is co-authored with author and friend June Chapko and is titled “Count It All Joy! Wellness and Faith ~ A Study in James.” She is an Elite Certified Personal Trainer and holds a Certification in Fitness Nutrition with ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association)
Joyce is a dedicated wife to husband Glenn and mother to their five children (now grown) and nine grandchildren. This successful business-owner-turned-writer has been inspired to write and share her experiences, offer insight, and help others find hope, help and healing.
Shanda Thornsberry A fellow student of God’s Word who desires to walk in the knowledge of who God says we are in Jesus Christ. At 28, she gave her life to the Lord and is learning every day what it means to live with God as her authority. Her hope is to encourage women in recognizing their value in Christ so they may live out the freedom He provides over food addiction as we learn balance. She has been married to Richard for 25 years. Shanda is a certified Fitness Trainer.
Shanda wants you to know, more than anything else, that one of THE MOST EXCITING things she’s learned in living out healthy balanced lifestyle, is that God REALLY IS the ULTIMATE SATISFACTION over food.
Your hosts: Nancy Smith, Tracy Moore and Charlotte Kennedy
Time
(Saturday) 9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST
Location
Calvary Baptist Church
3732 NE Stallings Dr, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Organizer
Helen Baratta
may 2023
06may9:00 am11:00 amLeader Training - Could You Be the One?
Event Details
You Could Be the One The one person to change the lives of your community. We are gathering to
Event Details
You Could Be the One
The one person to change the lives of your community.
We are gathering to train, encourage and empower leaders
You are going to discover:
-
Why you need First Place for Health in your community, in your life
-
What it is the “Next Right Thing” to do
-
What you need to Lead a Group
-
The Power of Prayer
-
Being Inspired, Encouraged and Empowered
When: Saturday, May 6th 9am – 11am CT
Location: Virtual on Zoom Cost: $20
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.” Deuteronomy 30:11
Speakers:
Vicki Heath
Vicki is the National Director of the faith-based wellness ministry, First Place for Health. Vicki is a reluctant author (Don’t Quit Get Fit and My First Place) and nationally-known speaker. She holds certifications with American Council on Exercise and Body & Soul Fitness. She dances, jumps and limps her way to health as she leads exercise classes in her community of Edisto Island, SC. She strives to bring others into the Kingdom through her example of a radical, but humble, devoted follower of Christ. She has led a successful First Place for Health ministry in her church for twenty years. Vicki is passionate about Christ and has a desire to help others understand the value of caring for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Vicki is a pastor’s wife and she and her husband, Rob, have four grown children and ten grandchildren.
Lisa Lewis is the author of Healthy Happy Cooking. Her cooking skills have been a part of First Place for Health wellness weeks and other events for many years. She provided recipes for 13 of the First Place for Health Bible studies and is a contributing author in Better Together and Healthy Holiday Living. She partners with community networks, including the Real Food Project, to bring healthy cooking classes to low-income areas. She is dedicated to bringing people together around the dinner table with healthy, delicious meals that are easy to prepare. Lisa lives in Galveston and is married to John. They have three children: Tal, Hunter and Harper. Visit www.healthyhappycook.com for more delicious inspiration.
In 2006, obese and unable to walk without pain, she surrendered to the Lord and He transformed her life. Since then, she shed and now maintains a 116-pound weight loss. Click here to read her success story.
Helen is author of the book Restored! Embracing Weight Loss God’s Way, First Place for Health My Place for Leadership and contributing author to five books: Live Life Right Here Right Now!, Better Together, My First Place, A Joy-Full Season, and Inspire! Women’s Stories of Accomplishment, Encouragement and Influence.
She is a speaker, coach, group leader, triathlete and certified fitness instructor. After raising two sons, Helen and her husband, Vince, have recently returned from a 6-year adventure on the Big Island of Hawaii. They are now returned to the Laurel Highlands near Pittsburgh, PA.
Time
(Saturday) 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Organizer
Helen Baratta
21may(may 21)7:00 pm23(may 23)2:00 pmRestore Me: Making Us New & Setting Us Free
Event Details
May 21-23, 2023 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord - Jeremiah 30:17a
Event Details
May 21-23, 2023
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord – Jeremiah 30:17a
Register at SandyCove.org
RESTORE ME: Making Us New & Setting Us Free gives us an opportunity to remove strongholds, heal hurts, and respond to the person God wants us to be.
Vulnerability is hard when we are struggling with a stronghold. We can also have fears that we will be judged for the the choices we have made (and even that number on the scale!).
Come to RESTORE and experience:
- Freedom to discover the root of my emotional strongholds
- Clarity on why I sabotage my efforts towards a healthy lifestyle
- Calm from the presence of the Holy Spirit
- A safe haven for spending time with the Lord
- Christ-centered teaching
- Healing through prayer
- An ancient practice, we invite you to come away with Jesus, by yourselves “to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Be restored.
To register, go to SandyCove.org
Time
21 (Sunday) 7:00 pm - 23 (Tuesday) 2:00 pm EST
Location
Sandy Cove Ministries
60 Sandy Cove Rd North East, MD 21901
27may11:30 am12:15 pmInner Circle Meet Up - May
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and relatable resources to help each of us live out God’s purpose for our lives. During our monthly connect meetings we will:
- Connection with each other and the First Place for Health Staff
- Small and Large Groups Topical Discussions
- Personal Accountability
- Valuable Q and A
- Encouragement for the Journey
- Praying for One Another
NOTE: The Zoom Meet Up is on the fourth Friday each month at 11:30AM Central Time. You must participate in the Inner Circle to attend the monthly Zoom meeting. Those who subscribe to the Inner Circle will receive an email invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
Time
(Saturday) 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
june 2023
24jun11:30 am12:15 pmInner Circle Meet Up - June
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and relatable resources to help each of us live out God’s purpose for our lives. During our monthly connect meetings we will:
- Connection with each other and the First Place for Health Staff
- Small and Large Groups Topical Discussions
- Personal Accountability
- Valuable Q and A
- Encouragement for the Journey
- Praying for One Another
NOTE: The Zoom Meet Up is on the fourth Friday each month at 11:30AM Central Time. You must participate in the Inner Circle to attend the monthly Zoom meeting. Those who subscribe to the Inner Circle will receive an email invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
Time
(Saturday) 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
july 2023
Event Details
Summit 2023 - is a Virtual Event Your $49 registration fee includes Keynote Sessions, Workouts, and Seminar Sessions. The virtual Summit is available through our
Event Details

Summit 2023 – is a Virtual Event
Your $49 registration fee includes Keynote Sessions, Workouts, and Seminar Sessions. The virtual Summit is available through our interactive learning platform. The live portions will be recorded and broadcast Saturday July 29, 2023. You will have 60 days to watch all the content.
Watch the Live Portion with the First Place staff at Watch Parties in
Charleston, SC; Houston, TX, and Pittsburgh, PA
Time
(Saturday) 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
august 2023
26aug11:30 am12:15 pmInner Circle Meet Up - August
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and
Event Details
The First Place for Health Inner Circle is a community of support in your journey to whole-person wellness – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will share real, practical and relatable resources to help each of us live out God’s purpose for our lives. During our monthly connect meetings we will:
- Connection with each other and the First Place for Health Staff
- Small and Large Groups Topical Discussions
- Personal Accountability
- Valuable Q and A
- Encouragement for the Journey
- Praying for One Another
NOTE: The Zoom Meet Up is on the fourth Friday each month at 11:30AM Central Time. You must participate in the Inner Circle to attend the monthly Zoom meeting. Those who subscribe to the Inner Circle will receive an email invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
Time
(Saturday) 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
october 2023
05oct(oct 5)3:00 pm12(oct 12)9:00 amWellness Week 2023
Event Details
REGISTER Join us for Wellness Week @ Round Top
Event Details
Join us for Wellness Week @ Round Top
Get away to the beautiful hill country of Texas and focus on getting strong and healthy. You’ll enjoy healthy delicious meals and take all the recipes home with you. You’ll have the opportunity to try some new exercise classes, like Dance Blast or Pilates, in a private setting with people just like you. Each evening you’ll hear Biblically-sound speakers that will renew your spirit and walk with the Lord. All of this and more at Wellness Week in Round Top as well as plenty of “porch time” for you to spend quiet time with the Lord or chat with friends. Here’s more about the week:
Round Top Retreat is a beautiful Victorian-style retreat center located “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It’s operated by the Goad family, who began this ministry on a full-time basis in 1984, to provide a home environment with all the charm of a country setting, where people can share God’s Word.
Wellness Week includes:
- Daily Bible Study and Devotionals
- Dance Blast, Cardio, Bike Riding, Pilates, Seated Exercises and more — Exercise Options For Every Fitness Level
- Delicious, Healthy Meals
- Rest and relaxation – Lots of Porch Time!
- Praise and Worship
- Inspirational Speakers
- Personal Consultation with a Fitness Trainer
See pictures past years: Wellness Week
Daily Bible Study & Devotional. Each morning we gather together for a morning devotional and prayer time. During this time, we study the Bible using the latest First Place for Health Bible Study. Later in the day, we meet in small groups to get to know each other better and pray for our challenges and concerns.
———————————————————–
Exercise for Every Fitness Level. Activities include: aerobics, strength and endurance training, stretching, seated exercises, biking on your own or with a friend and interval training for those who think they “can’t exercise.” Each activity is designed to meet the fitness level of each individual and participation is optional. You’ll also have a personal consultation with a fitness trainer to develop your own fitness plan.
————————————————————
Delicious, Healthy Meals. Enjoy healthy meals made from the freshest ingredients. You will be amazed at the delicious, satisfying meals you can have using First Place for Health recipes. All the recipes will be provided for you to take home and try yourself. Your meal may include Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream, Cajun Meatloaf, Mozzarella & Tomato Flatbread, Strawberry & Pecan Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Viniagrette and more. Breakfast is served continental style with healthy options, such as yogurt, fruit, cereal, bagels and toast.
————————————————————
Rest and Relaxation. Porch Time is a favorite activity at Round Top. Talking and relaxing with friends on the porch is on the schedule every afternoon. Benches are dispersed around the grounds for you to sit and read, have your quiet time, or just relax. The scent of clean, country air and the sounds of wildlife and nature surround you in this peaceful, serene setting.
————————————————————
Praise and Worship. We meet together each evening for an exciting program of informative and motivating speakers along with uplifting music by our featured worship leader.
————————————————————
Special Guests:
Vicki Heath – Vicki is National Director of First Place for Health. Vicki is a certified fitness instructor for the American Council on Exercise, a certified life coach and Wellness Coordinator for her church in Edisto Beach, SC. Vicki is author of the book Don’t Quit Get Fit and Wellness Journey of a Lifetime. She has led a successful First Place for Health ministry in her church for twenty years. Vicki is passionate about Christ and has a desire to help others understand the value of caring for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Vicki is a pastor’s wife and mother of four wonderful children.
Carole Lewis – Carole served as the national director of First Place for Health from 1987-2013. Carole is a popular speaker and author of 15 books. She leads conferences, Christian spas, workshops and seminars with an emphasis on personal and spiritual balance, fitness, encouragement and temperament analysis. Her audiences know her as warm, transparent, honest and humorous. Carole became a widow in June 2014; she has two adult children and one deceased, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Lisa Lewis – Lisa is the First Place for Health Chief Operating Officer, overseeing publishing, social media and day-to-day operating functions of the First Place for Health office. Lisa’s cooking skills have been a part of FP4H wellness weeks and other events for many years. She provided recipes for 15 of the First Place for Health Bible studies and is author of Healthy Happy Cooking released November, 2016. She is dedicated to bringing people together around the dinner table with healthy, delicious meals that are easy to prepare. Lisa lives in Galveston and is married to John. They have three children: Tal, Hunter and Harper.
Tell me about Round top Retreat…
Accommodations are furnished beautifully in the style of an earlier Texas time with antiques and some of the things reminiscent of “Granny’s Home.” You will be required to bring sheets and towels for your stay. Comforters and pillows are provided. If you need to be assigned to a particular bed size, please indicate in the Comments section of registration. Most rooms share a bathroom with another room (jack and jill style).
The gardens of the Retreat provide about a mile of walking paths meandering through the property. The paths flow through the cottage gardens of mixed borders, antique roses, perennials, annuals, and native plants. Cedar pergolas display climbing roses along the walkways. Several hundred trees provide shady places to sit and enjoy God’s Creation.
How do I get there?
Round Top is located at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill country–it’s about a 2-hour drive from Houston, and about a 90-minute drive from Austin. For an extra charge, First Place will arrange for a shuttle to take you from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to Round Top Retreat Center.
I want to be pampered…
During the week, a certified relaxation massage therapist will be available. Pamper yourself with a relaxing massage after your workout or before you go to bed. A certified nail technician will also be available for manicures. There is an extra charge for both of these services.
Area Attractions
Round Top, Texas. Shops both quaint and elegant; antiques primitive and classic; eateries down-home and more refined. Whatever your pleasure, Round Top is sure to please. Tour our historic museum village. Picnic on our town square, enjoy fragrant herb gardens and Shakespeare. You can find virtually anything here.
Festival Hill. A year-round performing arts and conference center presenting concerts and forums, and hosting rural retreats for businesses and educational institutions. Tours can be arranged of the McAshan Gardens or of the Festival Hill campus, historical buildings and museum rooms, The grounds are open year-round to the public.
Henkel Square Museum Village. Henkel Square is nationally recognized as an authentic restoration of Anglo-American and German-American 19th century culture where families may enjoy and experience the living tradition of Austin’s pioneers. The Apothecary is the entrance to the museum village and has a wide assortment of gifts, books and displays from the Bybee Collection. Open Thursday – Sunday 12 – 5 p.m. 979/249-3308
Scarecrow Festival – The second weekend of October the residents of La Grange close Main Street for the annual Scarecrow Festival. The last couple of years, around 200 front yards in the area have been decorated with mannequins made from straw. Besides judging for the best display of scarecrows at the festival there will be 125 booths selling food and merchandise. Hayrides take visitors on a tour of the historic sites.
Winedale Historical Center. A division of The University of Texas Center for American History featuring tours of nineteenth century buildings, housing, early German Texas furniture and decorative arts.
What do people say about the FP4H Wellness Week?
Food was terrific & so good for us! Thanks for your hard work and for giving us the recipes as well! I can’t wait to try them at home!
God has breathed new life into me. I have been refreshed, filled up where I was empty and been shown where I have been weak, lazy, disobedient or plain wasting both my time and His.
Helped me slow down and reflect. Gave me ideas to take home – food and exercise. A fun time.
Given me peace & freedom from burdens of anger, hatred and un-forgiveness. Reminded me of the purpose for setting goals. Surrounded me with much love & encouragement.
Can’t make the whole week? Check back in September when we offer our weekender option.
COST:
$1175 DOUBLE/TRIPLE OCCUPANCY*
$1350 SINGLE OCCUPANCY *
$100 Shuttle TRANSPORTATION FROM BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT (IAH)
*All-inclusive – includes all meals, lodging, speakers, exercise options and materials. Registration does not include services of the massage therapist and nail technician.)
ALL SHUTTLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY 9/1/23. IMPORTANT: Please make your flight arrangements to arrive at IAH by 2:00PM on 10/5/23 and depart IAH after 12:00 noon on 10/12/23.
Check in begins at 3:00 PM on 10/5/23 and departure on 10/12/23 by 9:00 AM.
Still have questions? Contact Lisa Lewis at lisa.lewis@fp4h.com or by phone at 800.727.5223, x1001
Time
5 (Thursday) 3:00 pm - 12 (Thursday) 9:00 am CST
Location
Round Top Retreat