Fellowship of Christian Athletes Provides Smart, Step-by-Step Training as Well as a Cohesive Community of Believers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Scores of children across the U.S. are already back at school and busy with their fall sports programs, while millions more are preparing to start soon. As always, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is supporting thousands of coaches and athletes all over the world as athletic programs kick off—and particularly so this year, after the pandemic brought enormous challenges.
It’s only natural that some students may have a tough time with fall transitions. That’s why FCA offers gatherings called Huddles, as well as numerous efforts toward team unity such as early morning Bible studies and larger, campus-wide events that sincerely share faith and fellowship.
Says FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson, “These activities and more help coaches and athletes experience God’s saving grace and gain the knowledge that lives can be transformed through Jesus. Our hugely successful FCA Camps program this summer encouraged thousands in their faith. Now FCA is shining the light of Christ upon coaches and athletes this fall in numerous and effective ways.”
Adds Williamson, “Since 1954, our goal has been to transform the world for Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. More than six decades later, we are still amazed that lives are being changed every single day. We pray these amazing experiences for God’s glory will continue for years to come.”
FCA organizes its many resources for coaches and athletes into three handy categories:
- Personal Growth: From devotionals to Bible studies to free and printed materials, FCA’s resources help grow the heart of the competitor. Visitors can subscribe to the Daily Impact Play Devotional; the page also lists the Competitor’s Creed and Coach’s Mandate.
- Training: Want to learn how to do FCA? Get step-by-step training and resources online. These include Coaches Ministry resources that minister to coaches through Huddles, events, training and resources; the Community Ministry, which lists off-campus opportunities to reach coaches and athletes; and Campus 101, containing helpful training and videos on campus ministry.
- Ministry: Already doing FCA? Browse or search a vast catalog of resources, including hundreds of devotionals, Bible studies, videos, ministry tools, reading plans, computer wallpapers, games, icebreakers, skits, teambuilding exercises, outreach ideas, audio files, and articles.
Just one example is a devotional called “The Athlete’s Secret,” in which FCA Chief Field Officer Dan Brittonshares Matthew 6:6: “When you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
“What’s the secret of an athlete?” Britton writes. “Speed? Strength? Size? Training? … The most powerful secret of an athlete is actually a spiritual discipline—prayer. When was the last time we really pressed into prayer? Not the prayers that say, ‘God, help me with the big game today,’ or ‘Help me to play well.’ I’m talking about intense prayer—a time of truly seeking God’s face and asking for His will.”
FCA’stheme for 2021 is Pursue, based on 1 Timothy 6:11: “Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” FCA encourages its members to pursue God’s use of His Word as an anchor, grounding Christians as they look to His Kingdom.
Since 1956, the impact on coaches and athletes has been the main focus of FCA Camps, with each Camp offering fun, outstanding sports training, inspiring speakers, strong friendships, and lasting change. View the FCA Camps video here and browse camps by location, sport or date at www.fcacamps.org, as some camps still continue in September.
Read more about Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.
Post based on press release from FCA to ZENNIE62MEDIA, INC.