Ascend Freedom Fitness - Faith Centered Gym

Finding Freedom with Christ & Fitness

About Ascend Freedom Ministries

MISSION: Ascend Freedom Fitness mission is to introduce people to the freedom available to them in Jesus Christ using multidimensional approach to wellness through programs that incorporate physical fitness, mental health interventions, and spiritual growth.

VISION: Our vision is to reclaim fitness, wellness and mental health in our community to God's original design and purpose.

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Free Fitness Classes
Monthly Schedule

Gym address: 802 E Third St
Unit D Gillette, WY 82716

Be a Doer
I’ve started a new Bible study, and we are going through the book of James. It has already begun to bring something to the surface in my life that I’ve been struggling with—and maybe it’s something you can relate to as well.
James 1:22–25 says:
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
This verse really hit me. How many times do I read the Word, listen to a sermon, or feel convicted in the moment—but then walk away unchanged? It’s so easy to nod along, to agree, to feel inspired… and then slip back into the same patterns without actually living it out.
James is so direct here—it’s not just about hearing, it’s about doing. It’s about letting God’s Word shape our actions, our choices, and even our attitudes in the everyday moments that no one else sees. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it is where real transformation happens.
I don’t want to be someone who simply knows the truth—I want to be someone who lives it. And I don’t want that for you either. So today, I want to gently challenge you (and myself): are we just listening, or are we truly abiding and obeying the Lord? What is one small thing God has been prompting you to do that you’ve been putting off?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Word and the way it speaks truth into our lives. Thank You that You don’t just call us to hear You, but to follow You. I pray that You would soften our hearts and open our eyes to the areas where we’ve been passive instead of obedient. Give us the courage to not just listen, but to act—to live out what You’ve placed before us. Help us to remember Your truth throughout our day and to walk in it faithfully. Shape us into people who reflect You, not just in what we say, but in how we live. We love You, and we ask all of this in Your name. Amen.
-with love @kaddi21 #WisdomWednesday

April has a way of waking everything up—flowers, sunshine, and maybe that little voice saying, “Hey… let’s get moving again.”

The good news? You don’t need a perfect restart.
You just need a next step.

At Ascend, we’re here for the “start again,” the “start small,” and the “I have no idea what I’m doing but I showed up anyway.”

Because growth doesn’t happen all at once—
it happens one workout at a time 🌱

Come shake off the winter slump with us. Your future self will thank you. <3

🤍 WE NEED YOUR HELP 🤍

Ascend isn’t just a gym… it’s a ministry.
A place where people come to move their bodies, find community, and grow closer to Christ—completely free.

Because of generous hearts, we’ve been able to keep our doors open and pour into lives week after week. But we can’t do it alone.

If Ascend has impacted you…
If you believe in what we’re doing…
If you want to be part of changing lives…

Would you consider giving today?

Every donation—big or small—helps us continue offering free classes, creating a safe space, and sharing the love of Jesus with our community.

You can give quickly through Venmo using the QR code below 🙌

Thank you for being part of this ministry. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

Join us for FREE classes all week long—there’s something for everyone! 🙌
Come as you are. Bring a friend. Let’s show up together.

We’re currently looking for sponsors to partner with us at Ascend 💙

Ascend Freedom Fitness Ministries is a Christ-centered, non-profit gym providing free fitness classes, community events, and wellness programs to those in need of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

We can only do this because of people like YOU.

Your support helps us keep our doors open, our equipment ready, and our mission growing in this community.

If you feel called to be part of what God is doing through Ascend, we would love to connect.

https://www.affwy.com/sponsorship

When “Healthy” Feels Heavy

This weekend was heavy—physically and emotionally. Holy Week always softens my heart, and on top of that, my body hasn’t felt like my own. I was already in a vulnerable place.

Then a simple comment about my weight sent my thoughts spiraling.

It’s crazy how one small moment can stick. Even when it’s followed with kindness… sometimes our minds have already run too far to hear it.

Later, my sister told me I looked healthy—that I used to be too thin.
And somehow… that word felt heavy.

Why do we do that?
Why does something neutral—or even good—feel like an insult?

The truth is, this is exactly how the enemy works.
He takes small comments and twists them. He magnifies insecurity and plants thoughts that were never meant to take root.

But God speaks something different.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” – Isaiah 26:3

Peace isn’t found in controlling what people say.
Peace is found in where our mind stays.

If my thoughts are rooted in appearance, approval, or comparison—I will spiral every time.
But when I stay rooted in Christ, those thoughts don’t get to stay.

So I’m choosing truth:
• My body is not my enemy—it’s something God entrusted to me
• Healthy is not shameful—it’s growth, strength, and care
• I am not defined by a comment or a moment
• God’s voice is the only one that gets to name what is good

The enemy brings confusion.
God brings clarity.
The enemy brings anxiety.
God brings peace.

We don’t have to believe every thought that enters our mind.
We just have to choose which voice we agree with.

Prayer:
Jesus, You know every thought that lingers and every insecurity that feels loud. Quiet the lies and replace them with Your truth. Bring peace where there’s anxiety and remind us that our worth is found in You alone. Let Your voice be louder than anything else. Amen.
-with love @kaddi21 #WisdomWednesday

Ascend prays your Resurrection Sunday was exactly what your heart needed. 🤍
Let’s keep that momentum going—join us in the gym this week as we move, strengthen, and grow closer to Christ together.

This past week, I’ve found myself feeling especially emotional as I reflect on what this season truly means. The weight of it has hit me in a deeper way than before.

The truth is—I have never deserved to be saved. Not then, not now. And yet, Jesus willingly went to the cross. He was beaten, mocked, and ultimately gave His life for my sins… for our sins. When I really sit in that truth, it brings me to tears.

For so many years, I lived searching for acceptance from the outside world. But that same world is what rejected and crucified a perfect, blameless man—Jesus. That realization shifts everything. Why do we chase approval from something so broken, when we’ve already been fully known and fully loved by Him?

I don’t want to live that way anymore.

I want to live as the salt of the earth—set apart and impactful. I want to stay thirsty for Jesus, always seeking more of Him. I want to be a light that points others toward Him in how we live, speak, and love. I want our lives to be used for a greater purpose—building God’s Kingdom, not our own.

Today, take a moment to pause. Reflect on the weight of what Jesus carried to the cross. Reflect on your life—where you’ve been, where you are, and where God is calling you to go. Not from a place of guilt, but from a place of gratitude and surrender.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for the cross and for Your unfailing love for all of us. We confess the ways we’ve fallen short and the times we’ve chased the approval of the world instead of You. Change our hearts, Lord. Help us to be the salt and light You’ve called us to be. Give us a hunger for You that continues to grow, and use our lives to build Your Kingdom, not our own. We surrender everything to You. Amen.
-With love @kaddi21

Your April lineup is here 🙌 Whether you’re starting fresh or staying consistent, we’ve got a class for you. See you in the gym!

Mark 11: 12- 14
The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciple heard him say it.

Mark 11:12–14 gives us a striking image. Jesus Christ approaches a fig tree that looks full of life—covered in leaves—but finds no fruit. In response, He speaks a warning over it. At first glance, it can feel confusing, even harsh. But the deeper message points to something spiritual: outward appearance is not the same as inward reality.
As we step into Holy Week, this passage invites honest reflection. Over the weekend, I found myself wrestling with two things. First, I don’t deserve to be saved. Second, even knowing that God sent His Son to die for my sins, I have to ask—am I actually living a life that produces fruit?

It’s easy to look the part. Like that fig tree, we can have all the “leaves”—the right words, the right routines, even showing up each week. But Jesus is looking for fruit: a life that reflects Him in action, in love, in obedience, and in authenticity.
Today, let’s pause and sit with that. Not out of guilt, but out of a desire to grow. Am I producing fruit in the quiet moments, not just the visible ones? Is my faith something I live, or something I only show?

I’ll be honest—I sit in front of you each week writing these devotionals, but my prayer is that I don’t just write about this life… I actually live it.

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy in our lives. Help us to be more than just words—we want our actions, our kindness, and the way we treat others to reflect You. Teach us to grow in ways that really matter, to bear good fruit in everything we do, and to live with courage, faith, and love. Guide us each day to make choices that honor You and help us walk closely with You in all that we do. Amen.
-with love @kaddi21 #WisdomWednesday

As we enter Holy Week, we slow down and remember what this week represents.

It began with celebration as Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed by crowds waving palm branches. But in just a few days, the road would lead to the cross… and ultimately to the empty tomb.

This week reminds us that the greatest victory in history didn’t look like strength at first. It looked like sacrifice, surrender, and love.

As we train our bodies this week, we also pause to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the hope we have because of Him.

Let this week be one of gratitude, reflection, and renewed faith.

Before the workouts, we remember why we're here.

We love a good sweaty selfie! 💪 The Pronghorn College Volleyball team has been showing up and putting in the work—we love seeing all your faces!

Are you thirsty?

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” — Psalm 42:1

Take a moment to picture that deer—searching, desperate, completely focused on finding water. Nothing else matters. It needs water to survive, to be filled, to keep going.

That’s the kind of thirst we’re called to have for God—deep, constant, undeniable. Not casual. Not occasional.

But here’s the reality: sometimes we look for Him in the wrong places. What we watch, what we listen to, and even the people we surround ourselves with can either strengthen our thirst for God… or slowly replace it. What we fill our lives with shapes what we crave.

So today, as you move your body, think about your spirit:
Are you truly thirsty for God?
Are you seeking Him with intention?

Challenge for today:
Be thirsty. Be salty. Be the light. ✨

When you live with a deep need for God, people notice. Your hunger can spark something in someone else. Your thirst can become contagious.

Don’t just train your body today—refocus your heart.
Chase the Living Water. Don’t settle for anything less.

Prayer:
Lord, place a deep, unshakable thirst in our hearts that only You can satisfy. Help us stop searching for fulfillment in the wrong places and turn fully to You. Guide what we watch, listen to, and who we surround ourselves with. Let our lives reflect Your love so clearly that others begin to thirst for You too. Strengthen our bodies, but even more, strengthen our spirits. Fill us, renew us, and lead us.

In Jesus’ name, amen. 🤍 - with love @kaddi21 #WisdomWednesday

Meet our board member, Joy Fox! 🤍 She has faithfully served on the Ascend Board since 2020, when Ascend first began, and we are so grateful for her leadership and commitment over the years. We love Joy’s heart for Jesus and her passion for sharing the good news with our community—it truly shines in all she does!

Stress doesn’t always need a big fix—just small, intentional moments.

Take a walk, slow your breathing, write down what you’re grateful for… and watch your body reset.

Simple habits. Real impact. 💙

Last full week of March is here! Schedule is full, we can't wait to see you.

Trusting God Like a Child

Psalm 105:1
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”

Lately I’ve been asking myself a simple question throughout the day:
How can I be salty?
How can I be the light?
How can I reflect God’s goodness in the everyday moments?

At church Sunday our pastor talked about childlike faith, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

When you watch a child, you notice something powerful… they trust. They don’t carry the weight of tomorrow or worry about things they can’t control. They trust that someone bigger is taking care of them.

And that’s the kind of faith Jesus invites us into.

Faith that rests.
Faith that trusts.
Faith that believes God is who He says He is.

The things I worry about most are usually the things childlike faith would simply hand to God.

So what if today we lived a little lighter?
Less worry.
More trust.
More noticing what God has done… and telling people about it—just like Psalm 105 says.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and for the ways You work in our lives that we often overlook. Help us to have childlike faith—faith that trusts You fully and rests in Your care. When worry creeps in, remind us that You are bigger than every fear and every unknown. Help us be the salt and the light today. Let our lives point others to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-with love @kaddi21
#WisdomWednesday

Most people associate St. Patrick’s Day with luck and green clovers, but the real story of Saint Patrick is much more powerful.

Patrick wasn’t Irish. As a teenager, he was kidnapped from Britain and taken to Ireland as a slave. For six years he worked as a shepherd, often alone and desperate. During that time, he began to pray constantly and his faith in God grew strong.

Eventually he escaped and returned home. But years later, Patrick felt called by God to go back to Ireland — the very place where he had been enslaved — to share the gospel.

Instead of bitterness, he brought forgiveness. Instead of fear, he brought courage. And through his ministry, many people in Ireland came to know Christ.

It wasn’t luck that changed Ireland.
It was faith, obedience, and the power of God. 🍀

Spring Break is the perfect time to move your body and try a class! 🌱💪

Join us this week at ASCEND Freedom Fitness for FREE workouts. Whether you want a Pilates reset, a kickboxing sweat, or a yoga flow, we’ve got you covered.

Bring a friend and come sweat with us!

People who work out in community are 2-3 times more likely to stick with it. Tag your workout partner!

Purpose Over Performance

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23

Yesterday, a sweet friend reminded me of this verse just when I was feeling unappreciated and discouraged. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in trying to impress others or measure our worth by people’s approval.

But this verse reminds me that everything we do — at work, in life, even in our workouts — is ultimately for the Lord. When doubt or discouragement creeps in, we can lift our eyes to Him and refocus on our true purpose.

I’m so thankful for God’s promises and for friends who send reminders right when we need them most. Let’s work with our whole hearts today — not for recognition, but as an offering to God. 🙏
-with love @kaddi21 #WisdomWednesday

2nd Week of March Free Fitness Classes are here!

This Shamrock Protein Shake is basically spring in a glass — creamy, minty, naturally sweet, and packed with the good stuff. 🌿✨

Are You Salty? 🧂

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” — Gospel of Matthew 5:13

Jesus didn’t say try to be salt.
He said you are the salt of the earth.

In biblical times, salt was valuable. It preserved what was good. It added flavor. It purified. It even held worth like currency.

So when Jesus calls us salt, He’s saying:

• Preserve what is good and godly
• Bring the flavor of Christ into everyday life
• Influence your environment — don’t let it influence you
• Live distinctly different

But here’s the hard part…

Salt that gets diluted looks the same — but it’s useless.

Spiritually, that can look like:
– Compromise
– Blending in instead of standing out
– Losing passion
– Faith without action

The question isn’t do you believe?
The question is — are you salty?

Does your life reflect Christ in how you speak, love, lead, and live?
Are you bringing light into your home, your gym, your workplace, your friendships?
Or has your flavor faded from distraction, fear, or exhaustion?

Jesus isn’t condemning us here.
He’s calling us higher.

The world doesn’t need bland faith.
It needs salt.

Stay connected to Him.
Guard your heart.
Live boldly.
Be useful.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for every person reading this right now. You know the weight they’re carrying and the battles they haven’t spoken out loud.

Lord, where we’ve grown dull — make us salty again.
Where we’ve been distracted or halfway committed — wake us up. Purify us. Remove anything in us that doesn’t reflect You.

If there is heaviness, lift it.
If there is emptiness, fill it.
If there is confusion, bring clarity.
If there is weakness, pour out Your strength.

Teach us what it truly means to follow You fully — not “semi-salty,” but surrendered. Help us bring flavor, light, and preservation into every space we step into.

Do a new thing in us, God.
Empty us of what isn’t from You and fill us with what is good, holy, and pure.

Make us salty, Lord.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen. 🤍

Even though March is the month that celebrates “luck”… we believe something a little different. 🍀

We don’t believe your fitness goals happen because you found a four-leaf clover.
We believe they happen because you showed up on Monday.

We don’t believe in lucky muscles.
We believe in consistent reps.

We don’t believe in magic.
We believe in momentum.

Sure, we’ll wear green.
Sure, we’ll do the shamrock shuffle.
But when it comes to real strength?

It’s not luck. It’s discipline.
It’s community.
It’s trusting God with the process.

Even Saint Patrick wasn’t about luck — he was about bold faith.

So this month:
🍀 Skip the superstition.
💪 Grab the dumbbells.
🙏 Thank God for the breath in your lungs.

No luck required.

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