Christian Paths to Health and Wellness
Peter Walters, PhD,is an associate professor in the applied health science department at Wheaton College, a private coed interdenominational Christian college in Illinois. Since 1996, he has directed the wellness program at the university level, during which time he has evaluated the health and wellness behavior of more than 5,000 college students. Prior to his career in academics, Dr. Walters was actively involved in several parachurch organizations, including Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition to these ministry opportunities, he served as director of student ministries in three local churches.Dr. Walters has presented and published his wellness research at several national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. He also participates competitively in weightlifting and bodybuilding to ensure that he stays grounded in practical applications and not merely theoretical constructs.Dr. Walters is certified as an educational trainer from the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He is also a member of the NSCA, the ACSM, and the Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies (CSKLS). In his spare time, Dr. Walters enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and participating in triathlons.John Byl, PhD,is a professor of physical education at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, where he has taught a wellness course for several years. Dr. Byl is a member of the Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies (CSKLS) and is the host of their listserv. He is also a host of the listserv for Church Sport and Recreation Ministries (CSRM), an organization that connects church recreation and sport.Dr. Byl has been a professor since 1986 and has received numerous awards. In June 2006 he was given the Literary Award, which honors current members of CSKLS who have demonstrated the integration of faith writing into one of the disciplines represented in the society. He also received the Presidential Award, which recognizes those who have displayed actions compatible with the mission of the Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies (CSKLS).Dr. Byl has edited, authored, or coauthored 15 books, includingPhysical Education, Sports, and Wellness: Looking to God as we Look at Ourselves.