Two communications giants 'tip the scales' for healthy living

(Los Angeles) — The results are in for Trinity Broadcasting Network's (TBN) all-new Faith & Fitness Challenge, and the winner is — Williams Temple of St. Louis!

"Williams Temple was the biggest winner in TBN's 12-week challenge to see which churches in the St. Louis area could lose the most pounds and inches," says Amy Fihn, TBN's Affiliate Promotions Manager. "They showed up — and showed off — spectacularly! We're so thrilled for them!"

You might be wondering how the world's largest religious network — as well as America's most watched faith channel — became the host of a fitness competition. Gary Hodges, a Regional Director for Affiliate Sales at TBN, explains. "Charter Communications asked TBN to become involved in a cooperative effort with its 'Get Hooked on Health' at the St. Louis Expo," recalls Hodges. "Of course, we were excited to partner in such a worthy effort."

David Adcock, National Director of Affiliate Sales for TBN, came up with the idea of TBN sponsoring a fitness contest among St. Louis churches. "The Faith and Fitness Challenge actually accomplished two goals," says Adcock. "It helped get St. Louis area churches involved in Charter's health campaign, and it helped promote weight loss and healthy living among church members."

Fihn says the goal of last January's Expo was to encourage the people of St. Louis to make healthy lifestyle choices in the areas of nutrition and exercise. "TBN's Faith & Fitness Challenge, which kicked off January 22nd, provided a compelling incentive for the St. Louis faith community to address 'real issues' using 'real solutions' while activating their faith to empower a positive health transformation," Fihn explains.

TBN also sponsored a booth at the Expo hosted by some of the world's top health and beauty experts, including renowned naturopathic doctor Valerie Saxion, who shared advice and offered nutritional samples. Hollywood makeup artist Peter Lamas was there to help ladies with makeup and clothing tips, and celebrity hairstylist Jay Humphries offered hair care advice.

TBN's involvement was a strategic part of the overwhelming success of the Expo, according to Paul Sly, VP for Advertising Sales at Charter Advertising in St. Louis. In fact, TBN had "the most active area at the Expo all weekend long," recalls Sly. "Of the more than 35,000 Expo attendees, many walked through the door saying, 'I'm here because of TBN.'"

Fihn reports that Charter Communications was able to leverage TBN's strong influence within the faith community to drive more participation, impacting the overall success of the Get Hooked on Health campaign. "It was a real win-win situation for everyone involved," she says.

There were plenty of testimonies of the success of TBN's Faith & Fitness Challenge. "This contest truly changed my life," says Marilyn Davis of Williams Temple. Davis was the biggest weight loser on the winning team. "I lost 8 sizes."

"The twelve week Faith & Fitness Challenge helped us to grow spiritually and shrink physically," declares Honorable Mention recipients Matt and Jessica Christensen.

Fihn explains that while TBN is well known for promoting spiritual health, the network is interested in promoting physical health as well. "TBN cares about the whole person," she says.

In fact, TBN's lineup features a variety of health and fitness programs, including Totalee Fit with Lee Haney and the popular Doctor to Doctor.

"Doctor to Doctor features a cross section of today's leading healthcare professionals discussing health issues that affect all of us," explains Fihn. "It offers real answers to some of life's toughest health issues — all from a biblical perspective."

TBN is the world's largest religious network and America's most-watched faith channel, offering 24-hour, commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to viewers from all denominational groups. Faith-based programs include gospel music concerts and contemporary music videos, as well as informative talk shows. There are also fun and enriching programs for children, health and fitness shows, news and information programs, theatre-released movies, and uplifting worship services from America's premier churches. TBN now reaches every major continent via 46 satellites and over 10,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of total households. Its website receives over 25 million visitors monthly. For more information visit www.tbn.org.

Charter Communications is a Fortune 500 company specializing in cutting-edge digital entertainment and communications. It provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital™ and Charter High-Speed™ Internet Service. For more information, visit www.charter.com.