Huddle Impact - Mitchell's Story

Ryan had no idea, but his simple invitation changed the trajectory of Mitchell’s life. Mitchell first got involved with FCA as a freshman at Elk River High School, when Ryan, an upperclassman, invited him to attend a huddle. Mitchell says, “I grew up going to church, but I didn’t grow up IN the church.” It had not changed him. That first year in FCA moved Mitchell from being passive in his faith to an active Christ-follower. God changed Mitchell’s life through the ministry of FCA. 

Mitchell’s faith grew by leaps and bounds his freshman and sophomore years in high school as he learned to study scripture and apply it to his life. He learned to ask questions about God’s Word and to seek the Lord in all he did. One verse that particularly impacted those years was Psalm 37:4-5 which says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in Him and He will act." Mitchell said, “I was constantly worried about the future and the question marks that laid ahead of me. From the big questions to the smaller things like what people thought of me, I was caught up in it all. This verse freed me from that mentality and led me to explore what it means to truly trust God with my life.” He learned how to lean into God in whatever he was facing, and at the same time God grew his heart for reaching others.

Natural Growth into Leadership

The time of tremendous growth his first two years of high school prepared him to serve as a student leader his last two years. As a leader, he helped coordinate several special events that pushed him to grow in boldness and serve those around him intentionally. One was Donut Difference days. Members of the FCA huddle came together to pray for their school. Following the prayer time, they would hand out donuts to their classmates and invite them to FCA. At another time, they partnered with another Christian organization on campus and initiated a Students of Faith night where Mitchell had the opportunity to share his faith story with the one hundred students who attended. Finally, Mitchell’s huddle sponsored a Youth Night where successful athletes from Elk River came in to share their faith stories and FCA staff shared the gospel message with the middle and high school students in attendance. Mitchell was instrumental in bringing these events to his high school, and each one taught him valuable leadership skills. 

Impact at his School

Mitchell made an impact on his classmates, teammates, and basketball coach as they took note of Mitchell’s character and saw someone who was steady, bold, and loved Jesus. Coach Klassen coached Mitchell for three years on the varsity basketball team in Elk River and said this about the experience: “There was never a time when I was more impacted as a coach by a player. I coached at Elk River for 36 years. I knew without a doubt that God called me to be a teacher and a coach at Elk River, and for many of those years I couldn’t necessarily see why God had called me to that, but during the time when Mitchell and his brother Noah played, it was the most rewarding time of my coaching career.” The culture of the team changed with Mitchell there, and others could see the difference. Coach Klassen said further, “Mitchell is just a great kid.” 

Jenn Bartlett was one of the FCA huddle coaches during Mitchell’s high school years. She had the opportunity to encourage Mitchell in his spiritual growth and build his leadership potential. She said this about Mitchell: “Mitchell walked in a manner that made him stand out from other students. He was and is a humble young man who looks for the best in every situation and in every person. Every day, he led by example in all of his actions and encouraged others to be the best they could be. Mitchell helped those who struggle, he listened to others, and he was respectful and honoring to those around him.” He won the FCA Influencer of the Year award at Elk River High School two years in a row for how he led not only in FCA but in everything he did at his school.

Sports Camp Impact

Not only did Mitchell influence those at his high school, Mitchell’s heart to show Christ’s love was also obvious outside of school. Mitchell served as a huddle leader at a local summer sports camp. Tom Ness, Minnesota FCA Director, often shares about the potential of FCA to impact lives by sharing the story of how Mitchell influenced one individual camper. Mitchell remembers that week well: 

“I remember that Ethan showed up to the sports camp very shy, and it seemed like he didn't know anybody. I know how difficult it is to show up to an event where you don't know anyone, especially as a kid, so I decided to get to know him a little bit. I remember kicking the soccer ball around with him and that we really began to bond sitting together over lunch talking about his interest in Lacrosse and his family. The thing that really sticks with me is how drastically his demeanor and attitude changed from the beginning of the sports camp to the end. Every day it seemed like he was coming back more and more excited to be there!” 

Jenn Bartlett remembers Mitchell serving at local sports camps as well. She referenced his natural gift of calm and leadership that helped the students who were struggling feel like they were just as good as anyone else. He could lift them up and help them believe in themselves.

Commit your Way to the Lord

Mitchell made an impact on his classmates, teammates, coaches, teachers, and FCA campers because of how God change him through the ministry of FCA. When Mitchell moved to Stillwater a couple years ago, he had no idea God had plans for him to serve Him in the same ministry that had so greatly impacted him. When he was asked to lead an FCA huddle at Stillwater Area High School where he teaches Social Studies and coaches basketball, he immediately said yes. Mitchell says, “I think God is really setting up something cool here in Stillwater.” Mitchell has been seeking out other Christian staff members and area youth pastors who want to be part of what God is preparing to do through young people at Stillwater Area High School. In addition, he has been raising up student leaders in his huddle. He will continue to build his network and pray that God would do mighty things at Stillwater Area High School. In everything, he continues to follow Psalm 37:4-5 and trust that God will use him to make an impact on others. 

A simple invitation from an older student in FCA, godly huddle coaches who poured into him, and opportunities for leadership through FCA have prepared Mitchell for continued leadership. God is using the ministry of FCA to raise up generations of Christ-followers who are intentional about sharing Jesus with the world around them. Hundreds and even thousands of students who had similar experiences to Mitchell are now serving all over the world. Whether they teach in a public school, own a small business, run a major corporation, or stay home with their kids, they are impacting the world around them by living out a faith that grew through the ministry of FCA.