I only really started my faith journey in April of 2016 when I first walked through the doors of Kairos – which is kind of humorous considering I worked at a church for 20 years. I used to tell people, “I go to church every day, except Sundays!”
While working at the church I was fully living into what I have now realized is my secondary calling of working with and teaching kids, but I had no concept of my primary calling of loving Christ and loving my neighbor. I had become completely immersed in my job at the church, but it no longer was a place of worship, just a 9 to 5 place where I clocked in each morning. I loved what I was doing; teaching sports to countless number of kids, but God’s grace and living a faithful life were foreign concepts to me.
In 2014 my whole world spiraled out of control with two head surgeries in January and February plus a cancer diagnoses in April. It’s safe to say that I was in the wilderness; completely lost and scared, but instead of turning to Christ for the help I needed, I walked away from the church to live into my own dream and opened a gym, Snap Fitness, in Sandy Springs.
While this was what I had always wanted, things didn’t go at all as I planned. My build-out was delayed causing me to miss the January rush (busiest time for a fitness center). Then, a month after I opened, the city of Sandy Springs shut down the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Sandy Springs Circle, making it impossible for people to get to the gym. Two months into owning my gym and I was deeper into the wilderness than ever, and I saw no way out.
Lina and I were feeling overworked and overwhelmed, all while trying to be the best parents that we can be to our children, Matthew and Katerina. It was tough, especially without family close by to lean on. In April of 2016, Lina traveled to Cyprus with our two children for five weeks to visit family. During this time I put all my attention towards the gym. All alone and still with no idea of what to do, I decided one Sunday to go to church. I had known of Kairos for a while through Kimbrell Teegarden and Jan Williamson, but I had no idea where it was. With Snap Fitness being in Sandy Springs I was getting off 285 every day at Riverside Drive, and I eventually put two and two together. I walked in that Sunday and I felt a sense of community that I hadn’t experienced before in my 20 years of working for a church. I had found my way to the table and God’s grace.
Whether the gym is a success or not (time will tell), I know that I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now. Finding Kairos helped me find Christ and live into my primary calling. I now realize that no matter how deep into the wilderness I get, as long as I love Christ, love my neighbor and continue to follow God’s plan for my life, the Lord will provide and I have found great comfort in this.
I can’t help but close with a shameless plug for my gym, Snap Fitness in Sandy Springs! If you are looking for a place to get healthy and workout, please stop by the gym or give me a call. As a way to give back and support the ministries of Kairos, I’ve decided to donate your first month of dues to Kairos. Just a small way to give back to Kairos which has given so much to me and my family.
And just to be clear…I’m cancer free!
– Matt Michaelides
(404)277-0372
michaelides1441@gmail.com