Ministry of the Issue
FCA.org
By Andy Clapp

About FCA
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has worked to change lives for Christ all over the world. In its’ 52 years of ministry, it has become the largest Christian sports organization in the United States. FCA’s goal is summed up in its’ mission statement:

“To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowships of the church.�

FCA meetings take place all over the United States in junior high schools, high schools, and colleges, as well as in some communities. These campus meetings serve to equip the members through teaching of the Word and empower them through fellowship with other believers and prayer time. Coaches, teachers, volunteers, as well as student leaders lead the meetings.

FCA teaches the coaches and the athletes the four values of the organization.
The four values are:
Integrity â€" We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately and publicly.
Serving â€" We will model Jesus’ example of serving
Teamwork â€" We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships
Excellence â€" We will honor and glorify God in all we do

These values are instilled into every member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, leading them to being a better Christian and stronger in sharing their faith. The values provide a foundation for faith, as evidenced by the participants and the leaders of this ministry.

In addition to chapter meetings, FCA also hosts camps in various areas throughout the year. Coaches camps, leadership camps, team camps, and sports camps are offered for those wanting a good clean atmosphere to learn more about their sport and their God. Sports camps include baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and golf, just to name a few. These camps offer instruction about the sport, housing, meals, a Student Bible, and a chance for campers to learn more about faith in Christ.

FCA also has their own magazine and their own drug free campaign. They also offer a wide variety of community ministries and aided in the recent Hurricane Relief. This ministry covers the area of student athletes like no other ministry, from ministering to the student athlete to improving the communities that the student athletes live in. Community ministries include Stewardship Ministries, Adult Ministries, Clinics, Urban Initiatives, Sport-Specific Ministries, and many others.

As a member of FCA in high school and in college, I saw first hand and experienced the value of this ministry. Knowing the fellow believers in our athletics programs helps you to know that you are not alone as you strive to please God in every area of your life, including athletics. Even now, over ten years later, I can still remember things that happened in our FCA meetings and how it impacted my life. Our meetings, lead by the wrestling coach, Coach Martin and student leader Jason Lewis, not only gave us something to talk about, but something that we could apply to any area of our lives. There are things that were learned in those meetings that help each individual become a better Christian. The great thing is that it is happening everywhere too and you can be involved and make a true difference in the lives of student athletes and in your community, no matter where you live.

How to Get Involved

If you are a student, find out if your school has a FCA program already. If it does, find out which coach leads the meetings and contact him/her about the time and place of your school’s meeting. If your school doesn’t have a FCA campus meeting, go to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes web site to find out how to start one at your school.
If you have finished your years of formal education, you can always volunteer to help a local campus ministry or community ministry in your area. If there is not one in your area, you can start a new chapter by going on the FCA website and getting all the necessary information to get the program started in your area. If you don’t want to lead, you can also find out about volunteer opportunities through FCA.

Finally, you can also make donations to FCA on their website. The website has a link for donations and can use all the financial help it can get as they strive to reach even more athletes and communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Few ministries last over fifty years but the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has not only survived, it has gotten stronger. This ministry is making a difference in our world by strengthening the family of faith, one student athlete and one community at a time.

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