For what is one of several initiatives of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project, leaders of a handful of area churches on Thursday brainstormed ways to get people involved with faith-based worship.

“Because we know that faith itself improves longevity, our mission is to promote that faith,” said Dr. Stephanie Nainani, who is part of the leadership team over the group.

The faith-based initiative doesn’t represent any denomination, or religion, but it simply aims to engage people in the faith-based concepts found in the Blue Zones, Nainani said. The Blue Zones are areas around the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

She said research has found that people who take time to participate in worship services live at least seven years longer than those who do not.

The Vitality Project wants to encourage churches to promote wellness and attendance at a worship service, she noted.

To do so, the faith-based initiative group is helping to organize and get people involved with the project through their churches. The Vitality Project aims to increase longevity through simple changes to a person’s lifestyle.

In August, there will be an announcement made at participating churches about the Vitality Project, and people who have not already filled out a pledge and taken the Vitality Compass will be encouraged to do so. Faith-based ambassadors from each church will assist in the process.

Then, in September, an open door month is planned to encourage people to attend a faith-based group of their choice if they are not already doing so — or to come back to one if they have fallen away.

While churches always encourage new people to come, this will be a special month of welcoming, the group said.

“I really hope that September Open Door Month catches on for years to come,” Nainani said. She talked about putting together a tool kit of sorts for the faith ambassadors and pastors that can help them implement the ideas.

The group is also organizing a Soul Food Cookoff, where people from any church can enter a healthy recipe into a contest.

The group said they hope people will recognize that all of the Albert Lea churches are working together for this same cause.

Nainani said she hopes the churches will continue to promote faith and wellness for many years, not just the next few months remaining of the Vitality Project.