Board of Directors

Matthew Gay is the Founder and President of Fit Church USA, better known as Fit Church United. Matthew has served hundreds as a personal trainer and health coach. Having a passion for fitness and the Lord, Matthew began his first fitness ministry in 2015 and began teaching a biblical approach to health and fitness. In 2019 Matthew went on to launch Fit Church USA as a non profit organization and in 2020 started his online health coaching company Fit Coach USA. Matthew is the author of "Fit Church: Destroying the Division Between Following Christ and Living a Healthy Life."

Now serving as an elder at his church and President of Fit Church USA, Matthew aims to bring the worlds of church governance and health ministry together. His mission is to see more churches offer the support needed for men and women to pursue better health in a godly manner with leaders who remain true to God's word and receive supportive oversight from their leaders. Matthew continues to work with clients in person and speaks regularly at events to educate believers on a biblical approach to self-care and health consciousness in the church.

Matthew and Leah Headden are the founders of Temple Keepers, a Christian health and fitness ministry that helps believers care for their bodies like the temples they are. Through individual coaching, the virtual Temple Keeper Academy, speaking, workshops, and church partnerships, they help Christians build healthy and holy habits through nutrition, movement, rest, and peace with Christ as the foundation. Matthew brings 17 years in the fitness industry and a background in nutritional science, nutritional psychology, and behavior change, while Leah brings 15 years in education, literacy, and curriculum design. Together, they are passionate about helping individuals, families, pastors, and churches stop separating their faith from their health and begin stewarding their bodies for God's glory. They are honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Fit Church United and support its mission of helping the Church become healthier for the glory of God.

Jake Barrena is an Associate Pastor at Resurrection Church in Canton, Ohio, as well as an author, entrepreneur, communicator, and longtime fitness professional with more than 25 years of experience in ministry, business, leadership, and fitness. Over 17 years, Jake owned three gyms in South Orange County, California, and trained thousands of people—from sedentary individuals battling obesity to Olympic and professional athletes. He has also launched more than 12 companies, primarily in fitness, marketing, and real estate, and spent 10 years as a California real estate broker and owner.

Jake is passionate about helping people faithfully steward their bodies, calling, and lives for the glory of God. Above all, Jake is a disciple of Jesus, ON FIRE for the Lord, a devoted husband of 20 years, and father of two beautiful children. His greatest desire is to see people know Jesus, grow in faith, walk in their God-given purpose, and live fully surrendered to Him.

Katielynne Gay (my wife of 16 years) serves as Children's Ministry Director at Sovereign Shores Baptist Church, where her passion for early childhood development shapes how the next generation is discipled and cared for. Before ministry, Katie spent years in the health and fitness industry as a regional manager overseeing four Anytime Fitness locations, developing strong organizational and leadership skills along the way. As Secretary of Fit Church United, she brings that same excellence to the board — organized, detail-oriented, and a steady source of accountability for the mission. Katie is passionate about the Lord and about people, and she believes wholeheartedly in the power of Christ to change lives through this ministry, for His glory.

Dr. Heather King is the founder of Holistic Health Momma and creator of Rooted Resilience™, with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, health education, nutrition, genetics, and whole-person wellness. Her doctoral research focused on how Christian churches successfully integrate health and wellness into congregational life, strengthening her passion for helping faith communities create cultures where people can thrive physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Heather is also the author of the upcoming book, Building a Culture of Wellness: How Thriving Churches Put Health at the Heart of Ministry, which translates her research into practical strategies churches can use to make whole-person wellness a meaningful and sustainable part of ministry.

Jude Jean-Marie is the founder of B.U.F.F. (Believers United For Fitness) and the Exercise Your Faith 5K, a faith-based fitness movement with a mission to bring faith to the community and fitness to the church. With a background in personal training, bodybuilding, and competitive fitness, Jude combines his passion for health with his commitment to sharing the Gospel. Through community 5Ks, wellness initiatives, and outreach, he is creating spaces where people can strengthen their faith, body, and community—all while encouraging others to boldly move for Jesus.

Dorinda A. Smith, BSc, MS, LMP, is a Medical Scientist, Research Immunotoxicologist, and Licensed Holistic Practitioner with more than 30 years of experience studying the immune system and the underlying drivers of chronic illness and autoimmune disease. After overcoming her own 14-year journey through disabling chronic illness, Dorinda dedicated her life to helping others discover WHY their bodies are struggling and what they need to heal. She is the creator of the Precision Root Cause Healthcare System™, a new model of healthcare that looks beyond symptoms to uncover the unique cellular, environmental, genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors driving chronic illness. Believing we must change a healthcare system that too often manages disease instead of restoring health, Dorinda and her team certify doctors and health practitioners in the Precision Root Cause Healthcare System™ to help transform the way chronic illness and autoimmune disease are approached. She is also the founder of the Rise & Heal Movement™, helping people Align With God's Design and become everything God created them to be. Dorinda serves as Lead Scientific Officer at The Cellular Healing & Longevity Center, where she puts her calling into practice every day.

Paul Peters is the owner of Peters Financial Services, a Texas-based accounting and bookkeeping firm that serves small businesses and several nonprofit organizations. He brings a heart for the Lord and a deep love for the local church and for the people it serves. With a bachelor's degree in accounting and nine years on church staff handling the bookkeeping and supporting the treasurer, Paul understands what it takes to keep a ministry's finances accurate, transparent, and honoring to God. He is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach who spent five years leading outdoor group fitness workouts, so he knows firsthand the gap between the church and a healthy lifestyle that Fit Church United exists to close. Since 2022, he has felt a strong calling from the Lord to bring health and fitness into the Church. With his unique background in both accounting and fitness, Paul is well positioned to help this ministry steward its resources wisely as it serves churches pursuing healthier lives. Paul is honored to serve on the board and to help ensure every dollar entrusted to this ministry is used faithfully for God's glory.

Elizabeth Boyd is a disciple of Christ and a fitness professional with a passion for helping others to honor God by stewarding their bodies well. New to the health and wellness scene, Elizabeth is just getting started in launching her new coaching business, 6:20 Fitness & Nutrition, where she hopes to teach and inspire others to pursue fitness God's way. She has a dedicated heart for ministry and has been serving and leading ministry since 2011. Elizabeth and her husband, Marty, began Salt and Light Street Ministry in 2020, providing care for their local homeless and low income population. Together they also lead discipleship training in their local church.

In 2024, Elizabeth launched the first FIT Church plant at her church home, New Community Church in Muskogee Oklahoma. Since starting FIT Church Muskogee, Elizabeth has witnessed and experienced the kind of transformation that only God can bring. Transformation within herself, her family and those that have experienced FIT Church for themselves. She is honored to be a part of the board of directors for FIT Church United and is confident in the mission of this organization and the wonder working power of God, our Father.