Amber Storvick, front, co-founder of 148 Ministries, leads a workout during a session with Volunteers of America last year.
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Even if much of the community did not know it was there, 148 Ministries has worked throughout the region to change lives over the past three years.
The organization brings together physical, behavioral and spiritual health in its approach to addiction, abuse and other mental health issues. Through its fitness program, 148 Wellness, open to the public, the group funds its addiction counseling work and community outreach.
“148 Wellness was created out of 148 Ministries and that mission to help abused and addicted men and women,” said David Storvick, co-founder of 148 Ministries. “Part of the profit from 148 Wellness goes toward helping the non-profit organization and supporting its mission. That’s why we are a ‘gym with a mission.’”
For much of its existence, their work tended to be unnoticed — tucked away in the rear of an industrial complex near Old Town Greenwood that garnered little traffic. But awareness of 148 Ministries and its wellness side is increasing, though, in part due to its newly finished facility in what used to be the Nest Event Center.
Their new home offers ample space and resources for the nonprofit’s offering of physical fitness and counseling addressing substance use disorder. The impact of the new facility has been immediately evident for staff, with the ability to expand existing programs while offering new engagement.
“We have so many more people coming through the doors who would have otherwise never known we existed,” said Chris Walker, owner of 148 Wellness. “And when they come in, their first question is ‘What is 148?’ From that perspective, we can share what the ministry does.”
And those behind 148 Ministries want to help people learn more about them. The community is invited to come Jan. 7 for a special open house to learn more about the fitness components open to the public, as well as programs to help those dealing with addiction.
“It’s a change to open up our doors and let people know what we have going on,” Storvick said.
Since opening in 2019, 148 Ministries has been helping people struggling with addiction to change their lives. Storvick and his wife, Amber, founded the ministry in an effort to use physical fitness and faith to improve people’s lives.
Clients, as well as community members looking for a new type of exercise experience, can take advantage of a fully equipped gym and exercise center 24 hours a day. They can sign up for services, such as semi-private training, group fitness classes and rehabilitation exercise.
Those who need it can receive faith-based counseling for behavioral health issues such as addiction, as well as join small Bible study groups.
The organization also outreaches to residential centers for people struggling with addiction, abuse and other issues such as Teen Challenge, a Christ-centered model of drug and alcohol recovery, and Volunteers of America, a service ministry with a chapter in Indianapolis.
From the time it was founded, 148 Ministries had operated out of an office space and gym center near Old Town Greenwood. But with little room to grow, they looked for other options for their facility. They found an ideal location in the former Nest Event Center, and moved in on Aug. 1.
Work has been ongoing as the organization added more equipment and finished constructing spaces for physical therapy and other specialized offerings. Apart from the physical fitness side, those who come to the facility for counseling have their own entrance and privacy to meet. Groups such as Celebrate Recovery have met in the space,
“It’s a more confidential area. We can be more discreet with our counseling clients. In the old facility, they had to come in through the lobby, where they have a separate entrance here,” Storvick said.
Inside the spacious gym area, the organization has added more weight racks and machines, cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines, and space for personal training.
Group sessions can be held without overlapping with individuals working out independently. Areas have been set aside with massage chairs, full-body scanners and a sauna. People can take advantage of access to localized cryotherapy to help with aching joints and muscles.
The fitness ministry has been able to hire additional trainers, and separate offices allow them to work with clients to set their goals. Another physical therapist, with a focus on women’s health, is set to start working at 148 Wellness in January, Walker said.
“It’s tough to find someone on the southside that specializes in that, so we’ve been able to add that,” he said.
The new facility has given Storvick, Miller and others within 148 Ministries a greater opportunity to try new services and offer more to their clients. This spring, 148 Ministries is partnering with Indiana Wesleyan University to bring a quartet of students in working in occupational therapy to do their field work.
“They can go into residential centers with us, see what we do, meet the women we minister do, and then do some assignments at the end of the semester to lead sessions at the center,” Storvick said.
With so much evolving and expanding, leaders with 148 Ministries and 148 Wellness wanted to invite the community in to witness it. The open house on Jan. 7 will be an informal way for people to step inside the facility, see the fitness options offered and learn more about the mission.
People can also enter a drawing to win a free 30-day membership.
“We’re not going to do a formal presentation, but we’ll do tours, go through the ministry facility and the gym. They’ll see all of the amenities we have,” Storvick said.
IF YOU GO
148 Ministries and 148 Wellness open house
What: A community event allowing people to tour the organization’s newly completed facility, learning about its public fitness options as well as its work counseling those struggling with addiction and other issues.
When: 4-6 p.m. Jan. 7
Where: 400 Byrd Way, Greenwood
Information: facebook.com/148Wellness
