"The BodyBuilder" by Anthony L. Pelella Growing up in Brentwood during the 70's, I watched my dad train. In Valley Stream during the 80's, I started training with him. It was these training sessions and thousands more throughout the years that I have gleaned many of the valuable lessons that I write about in my book. There are two passions that have been in my heart for more than half my life; weight training and being a follower of Christ. With all the experience I had gleaned from both areas I decided that the two just looked to close to one another to be ignored. I have been living on Long Island for 41years and have been a pastor in Medford Long Island going on 17 years. I felt in my heart a strong desire to write about these two passions and use them to show the gospel message in a way that the average guy or gal at the gym could easily relate to. In the days that Jesus walked this earth, fishing and farming where great ways to relate to people. Today on Long Island, in the communities that I've grown up in, the gym is something most people understand. If you have anything that moves you toward hard work & dedication in the physical fitness arena then you'll get the "heart" of why this book was written. Using the passage found in 1 Timothy 4:8 -" For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" - I wrote a series of comparisons between the physical body and spiritual maturity. Each chapter is a modern day parable that compares the rigors of intense training to the journey of being a follower of Jesus. Basically, it's as the phrase on the front cover describes, "Physical Discipline and Godly discipleship collide." -The book has received attention globally especially in European markets such as Germany. It is currently available in Italy, Australia, Norway, Hong Kong and other countries. My trainer from Fitness Plus (Rob Martinez) and I have both been on television and national radio in Europe. I have also been encouraged as two sport celebrities have personally endorsed the book. Ted DiBiase and Lee Rouson . This is what they had to say: From pumping iron to preaching the Gospel, pastor Anthony Pelella illustrates brilliantly, that there aren't any shortcuts to success. Discipline is the key to being physically fit or spiritually mature, and Pastor Pelella drives home the point that the latter has eternal consequences. In a word, his book, The Body Builder, is "priceless" Ted DiBiase-WWE Superstar "The Million Dollar Man" "Pastor Anthony's relentless devotion to our Lord Jesus has set him apart, to where God uses all that He has given him, in the building of so many souls, for the glory of our Father God Lee Rouson -2x NY Giant Super Bowl champ My desire is to help people understand that physical training has some amazing benefits. My life would not be as fulfilling as it is without the physical lifestyle I lead. On the other hand godliness has value for all things and will have impact on us not just in this life but the life to come. It is so vital for us to understand this truth: It's a great thing to train and condition our bodies but if we neglect the godliness aspects of living then the physical was a waste of time. We invest so hard in the temporary (our body) yet neglect that which is eternal, Our Soul Pastor Anthony L. Pelella is Senior Pastor of Medford Assembly of God. He is available for guest speaking at both church and community gatherings as well as book signings of all types. To order a copy of "The Bodybuilder" visit his website at www.thebodybuilderbook.com or contact him at thebodybuilder@medfordag.org