Todd and Dan were heavily involved in FCA together during their middle and high school years in Marshall, Minnesota, and college at Moorhead State University. They grew up during a time when there were less distractions for kids, and sports were literally their life. The two of them moved from one sport to the next as the seasons changed – football, basketball, track and field - and they loved every moment of it. Because of how much Todd loved sports, he remembers how his life was changed by the ministry of FCA. When he was a young boy, Fred Cox, kicker for the Minnesota Vikings, visited his church and planted the first seeds in Todd of what it looked like to be both an athlete and follower of Christ.
Donor Impact Stories - Todd, Brett, and Ben
Shelley Pearson • May 18, 2020
Many things vie for our attention, and even more vie for our money. Mortgages, car payments, insurance, phones, groceries, kids’ activities, entertainment, travel, and hobbies find their way into most budgets. If there is anything left after those items are covered, there is no shortage of charitable organizations looking for funds: food and clothing shelves, wildlife rescue centers, local community events, kids’ sports teams, child sponsorship programs, and on and on. Even among Christian organizations, there are hundreds of worthy causes to support. So why do people choose to support the ministry of FCA?
While there are many reasons individuals support the ministry of FCA, two rise to the top. First, donors believe in the impact FCA is making in the world, and second, they believe in the influence of individual staff members who serve with FCA. Todd Renner, Brett Reece, and Ben Mason are all successful businessmen who support the ministry of FCA through Dan Clites, the Southwest Metro Area Director for Minnesota FCA. They support FCA because they believe in the mission of FCA to reach the world with the gospel of Christ and because they see in Dan a heart and passion for seeing that mission fulfilled.
When he was a freshman in high school, those early seeds were nurtured as he observed juniors and seniors in FCA who were living their lives for Jesus. He looked up to those older, successful athletes who showed him and Dan what it looked like to be successful athletes and committed Christ followers. Todd also had the privilege of attending an FCA Sports Camp in Fort Collins, Colorado. While at camp, he listened to the head football coach at Colorado State University as he gave a message titled, “Keep Your Eye on the Ball.” He talked with the campers about the many types of “balls” in their lives that fight for their attention and how it was important to keep an eye on the right ball, which is Jesus. That talk planted even more seeds in Todd that drew him closer to Christ and showed him how to live for the Lord in every area of his life.
Todd’s life was changed through the ministry of FCA. The concepts he learned in high school and college through FCA have woven through every area of his life today. One scripture made a significant impact on him during those formative years: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24). He learned to apply that to his sports and walk with God then, and it has translated into his family and career today. He believes in the mission and vision of FCA and wants kids today to be influenced in the same way he was. In addition, he has a personal connection to Dan, having walked through FCA with him during those transformative years. When Too was presented with the opportunity to support Dan and the ministry of FCA, he did not hesitate. It just fits for Todd to support the ministry of FCA.
Brett did not know Dan in high school or college. He was generally familiar with the organization’s work but had no firsthand experience. Brett knows that FCA is a great organization that gives youth the opportunity to hear the gospel and then provides them with a firm foundation in their walks with God. He knows that the students learn how to be lights to the world while enjoying good fellowship, great camaraderie, and solid teachings. He believes the ministry of FCA is making an impact on the lives of young people that will carry on into their adult years and wants to see that continue. Brett supports FCA because he knows Dan’s heart and believes in his character. Brett first met Dan when he served as the pastor of his church in Northfield, Minnesota. When Dan moved into full-time ministry with FCA, Brett agreed to support him financially because he believes in the work of FCA around the world and because Dan has proven through his life that his desire is to reach people with the gospel of Christ.
Ben also had no firsthand experience with FCA before financially supporting the ministry. His career brought him to Minnesota and he remains here even after retirement. In his Alabama accent, Ben said this about when he was asked to consider becoming a financial supporter: “I said, ‘absolutely, yes.’” With Dan’s background in television sports, Ben thought that FCA would be a natural fit. He also felt that all the pieces were in place for Dan to do good for the kingdom through FCA. He enthusiastically supports Dan not only because of who Dan is but also because he believes that FCA is preforming a vital function in society today. So many of those from recent generations have walked away from the Lord, and he sees how FCA can bring some of those people back. Athletics and Christianity both require perseverance, discipline, and dedication to the cause, and they are both hard work. Because of the popularity of sports, Ben sees FCA as a way to introduce a number of youth and children to the Lord. To the extent that Dan can be successful in doing that, Ben wants to support him and the organization of FCA.
FCA staff members like Dan raise their own salaries to do the ministry that God has called them to. The model works because of the personal relationships formed between donors like Todd, Brett, and Ben and FCA staff like Dan. Every staff member has similar, yet vastly different stories of why their donors support them as they serve with FCA. Because of those who so generously give, FCA is reaching the world with the gospel through the platform of sports. It is truly a partnership between so many generous individuals.
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