A Huddle Coach's Story - Brian Menk

God is the Master Planner. He is always at work orchestrating events and preparing hearts to do new things. Brian Menk recognized God’s hand in preparing him to serve in a new way over six years ago. Brian and his wife had been praying to have a greater impact on students at Lewiston-Altura High School in southeast Minnesota where Brian had been teaching and coaching for over fifteen years. 

One day, Jake, a fellow basketball coach in a neighboring district, approached him about FCA. Someone had approached Jake, and he thought Brian may be interested as well. Brian attended a presentation by James Bolin, FCA Area Director for southeast Minnesota, and agreed to serve as the huddle coach at Lewiston-Altura.

“I am so thankful that FCA has become a part of my life and that James brought it to Jake’s attention and Jake brought it to me.”

The Huddle

Brian has served as the huddle coach at Lewiston-Altura High School now for over six years and loves it. Thirty to forty kids attend the weekly huddle and a record thirteen leaders serve the huddle. It is a typical FCA huddle where student leaders take turns leading different weeks with games, food, teaching, etc. God is doing an amazing work in the hearts of students during these highly formative years. 

The intent of FCA (and requirement in public schools) is that huddles are entirely student-led, and that model is carried out at Lewiston-Altura because Brian empowers and encourages the student leaders to do the work. “For kids to hear that you believe in them, trust what they can do, and have some tolerance that they can make mistakes and grow through them - they really flourish through that. You see them blossom into dynamic leaders.”

In addition to the weekly meetings, Brian has seen significant growth in huddle members through events. The annual Fields of Faith event serves as a way for the huddle to share the message of Christ’s love with their friends, family, and community members. Held on the football field, students tell their faith stories, lead worship, and pray together. Brian is excited that they can still hold the event this year with some modifications. “Everyone will mask, and we will flip things so the people will be on the field and speakers/singers will be on the track and in the stands to allow for social distancing.”

The huddle also holds an annual Feed My Starving Children event and partners with the U.S. Marine Corp to run the Toys for Tots program for southeastern Minnesota. They head up the registration process and run the distribution sites where parents come in and pick out toys for their children. It is a huge growth opportunity for student leaders and huddle members.

However, he is grateful to be open about his faith with the leaders who meet monthly at his home. They spend time in Bible Study, relationship building, and planning for future meetings. Brian loves this time of pouring into the student leaders. He can be himself and share what God is doing in his own life and sees the leaders learn and grow during this time so they can lead well.

Brian was greatly influenced by the first huddle leader six years ago. “Thomas showed me how a leader could really be. He showed people kindness and never looked down on kids because he was a great athlete. He painted a picture for me of what the student leaders could be.” That pictures helps Brian know how to better train his leaders and model servant leadership.

Impact on Brian’s Heart

When asked how serving as the FCA huddle coach has affected him, Brian said, “It’s been enormous. It’s helped me grow too. If we are going to have great student leaders and a great FCA program, I need to model a lot and make sure I’m doing what I expect them to do. It’s been a tremendous source of growth for me and builds up my excitement for what FCA can be and a vision for the future. It’s made me a better educator and a better father.”

Huddle coaches are an integral part of the FCA ministry. They bring consistency to the huddle since students are generally only in a building for four years, and they equip student leaders to lead well. 

Please pray for our huddle coaches:

• To be blessed in serving their huddles
• That God would multiply their time and empower them to serve well as they juggle family, teaching, coaching, and church obligations
• That God would be preparing the hearts of future huddle coaches just as he did with Brian.