“…Pastor involvement also has been highlighted as a predictor of program success, especially as it relates to nutrition and health promotion (Bopp & Fallon, 2011; Demark-Wahnefried et al, 2000; Peterson, Atwood, & Yates, 2002). Congregation members identify their pastor as someone who can support their health efforts (Bopp et al, 2007; Torrence, Phillips, & Guidry, 2005) and stronger pastoral support within diet and physical activity interventions may lead to better behavioral outcomes (Atkinson et al, 2009; Resnicow et al, 2004; Wilcox et al, 2007a, 2007b). However, mixed results from behavioral intervention studies indicate aspects of pastoral support, such as messages from the pulpit and participation in the program, may be low (Baruth et al, 2008; Carroll, 2006).…”