Over 16,000 Faith Decisions Through 18,000 Huddles, 700 Camps, 300 Fields of Faith Events and 208,000 Bibles Distributed Worldwide Are a Testament to FCA’s Vision for the Past 67 Years
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—As 2021 comes to a close, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is reflecting on how God has blessed the ministry, as well as the coaches and the athletes it serves worldwide. This year, FCA marked 67 years of staying true to the mission of leading every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
“The entire Fellowship of Christian Athletes team is thankful for the opportunities to do sports ministry every day,” said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “Through our staff and leaders around the globe, we engage, equip and empower coaches and athletes to share the Gospel in all corners of the world. As our ministry continues to expand, we give all of the glory to God. For more than 67 years, we’ve rallied our team around the Great Commission and put God’s Word at the forefront of our plans. As we step back and review our past year, we’re humbled at what God has done.”
FCA experienced tremendous growth and record-setting numbers in the aftermath of the tragic COVID-19 pandemic. While the ministry is more about touching the lives of coaches and athletes—one heart at a time—these figures show the incredible impact God has made through FCA.
- 67 years ago, FCA was officially chartered on Nov. 10, 1954, in Norman, Oklahoma, after a young basketball coach named Don McClanen had a vision for a sports ministry seven years earlier.
- 16,838 people made faith decisions for Christ through a variety of FCA events, including Huddles, Camps, Fields of Faith and more. FCA can now capture more faith decisions through a new Faith Response Tool, a texting system that will allow FCA staff, coaches and athletes to share these significant, life-changing decisions.
- FCA has exploded across the globe with ministry in 105 countries with 2,314 staff members being engaged, equipped and empowered to reach coaches and athletes.
- FCA continued to grow Bible engagement efforts through its YouVersion Bible reading app partnership. The ministry currently has over 50 reading plans with nearly two million plan completions since launching in 2013.
- For the immensely impactful and successful 2021 Camps season, FCA welcomed 57,613 coaches and athletes who attended 697 Camps across the country and around the world this summer.
- FCA completed its 17th student-led and student-driven Fields of Faith events on Oct. 13, taking place on athletic fields in the U.S. and globally, where 52,793 coaches, student-athletes, parents and community members worshipped together, heard from inspiring speakers, prayed and committed to read their Bible at 326 gatherings.
- Globally, FCA reached coaches and athletes through 18,106 Huddles—over 16,000 in the U.S. and almost 2,000 internationally.
- FCA distributed 208,624 Bibles this year and has distributed nearly 3 million Bibles around the world in the past 15 years.
- FCA has 15 consecutive 4-Star top ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest organization rating the fiscal management of charities. This puts FCA in the top 1% of all charities rated. As a faith-funded ministry, FCA gives thanks to the Lord for His provision.
View a timeline of Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 67-year history here, including videos, quotes, articles, leader profiles, Camp themes, photos and more.
FCA’s theme 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. FCA’s new theme for 2022 will be unveiled on January 5!
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 Team to ZENNIE62MEDIA, INC.