Opening Doors: Marlan's Legacy of Faith and Transformation Through FCA"

When Marlan was just 10 years old, a significant moment occurred that would set the stage for his future. A Christian athlete from the University of Minnesota came to speak at his church, and in that encounter, Marlan first accepted Christ. “The fact that a Christian athlete had that effect on my life really impacted a lot of what has happened in my life,” Marlan recalls.

As Marlan moved into his early 20s, he took on a role that allowed him to channel this inspiration into action. As the head of the Junior/Senior High youth ministry at his church, Marlan frequently invited professional Christian athletes to speak. This approach, inspired by his own experience, was aimed at making a similar impact on the youth in his church.

In the late 70’s, during the planning phase of the Metrodome being built, Marlan faced a decision. Six churches had united in opposition to the construction, believing they could sway City Hall’s decision. Marlan, however, had a different perspective. As chair of the board at his church, he recognized the futility of their protest. “I can’t buy into that. You’re not going to defeat City Hall,” Marlan said. Instead, he chose to look for a way to use the Metrodome as a platform to spread the Gospel.

Marlan connected with Mark Tieman who was on staff with FCA at the time and proposed a collaboration. They launched the Viking Brunch & Chapels, where FCA provided the speakers, and Marlan’s team organized parking, brunch, and chapel services just a block away from the stadium before every Vikings home game. This initiative lasted for eight years, exemplifying Marlan’s dedication to using sports as a medium for sharing the Gospel.

Around the same time, Marlan started recruiting friends to play with him in the Minnesota FCA Golf Classic tournament. He said, “For me, it was a great way to reach out to guys who I was working with who weren’t necessarily believers.”

His involvement with FCA eventually led to him and his wife, Jan, joining the Minnesota FCA Board of Directors. Marlan also served as Board Chair for several years, further demonstrating his commitment to the ministry.

Marlan’s journey with FCA didn’t stop there. He and Jan were actively involved in FCA Camp and Huddle ministries. They brought inner-city kids to the Northland FCA Sports Camp in Decorah, IA, and visited huddles throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Reflecting on his involvement with FCA, Marlan says, “It has reinforced the impact that athletes can have on society and the impact that Christian athletes at any level can have on young people. FCA’s efforts to strengthen not only the athlete but the coaches is what really excites me about the whole ministry.”

Q: How has FCA helped you to impact the lives of other people? Have you been given opportunities that you may not have otherwise had?

A: “I was walking through the church parking lot about 20 years ago and a lady hollered at me and asked if I would start a sports camp in Ukraine. I was retired and had never run a sports camp in my life, but she had heard that I was involved in FCA. On the spot, I said, ‘Sure!” even though I had no idea what I was doing. But, I’m a great believer in God opening doors and we need to be alert to those open doors. So, after saying yes, the first call I made was to Don Roberts who had run the FCA huddle at Simley High School for many years and asked him for help. He immediately said he’d go. Then I called another guy that I knew had run soccer camps and he said he’d go too! So, by nightfall on the first day, I had two of my three sports leaders. If you’re wondering if God is involved in something, that answers the question real fast!”

So, for 16 years, Marlan led the Sports Camp over in Ukraine and it has evolved into a large year-round camp occasionally working with the FCA Ukraine staff. Amen!

When reflecting on his ministry journey, Marlan emphasizes the importance of being ready and open to opportunities. “My wife and I have been married 65 years now and we have been blessed with so many fabulous experiences. It goes right back to us being a team growing in our faith, being involved in the local church, and looking for open doors.”

Marlan’s story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the transformative impact of Christian athletes. It’s a reminder that the influence of a single coach or athlete can ripple through lives, communities, and even across continents. As Marlan aptly puts it, “The name of the game is being ready,” and his life is a shining example of how being prepared for God’s open doors can lead to remarkable and far-reaching outcomes.