Stories From The Field
There is something powerful that happens when coaches slow down long enough to be poured into. That is exactly what has been taking place over the past few months through the leadership of Minnesota FCA Golf Director, Mike Seiffert . What started as a simple idea has already begun to shape coaches across multiple states, and it is only the beginning! A Simple Start with a Clear Purpose In January, two virtual Coaches Huddles launched on Zoom. One group gathered on Tuesday nights, made up of PGA professionals. Another met on Thursday nights, consisting of high school golf coaches. Over the course of ten weeks, these groups met consistently, walking together through the book of Matthew. Each week, four to six coaches showed up. Not a massive number by most standards, but something deeper was happening beneath the surface.  These were not just meetings. They were spaces for connection, growth, and intentional discipleship. Mike had been planting the seed for this for over a year, inviting PGA professionals from his network during spring meetings and continuing to build relationships that would eventually lead to participation. Because of the nature of golf, with busy spring and summer seasons and many professionals traveling out of state during the winter, a virtual format made it possible for coaches to engage who otherwise could not. And engage they did. More Than a Bible Study What makes FCA coaches huddles unique is not just the study of Scripture, but the integration of faith and coaching. Each session intentionally began with 15 to 20 minutes of conversation around coaching. Coaches shared openly about real challenges and real strategies. How do you run qualifying? How do you handle parents? What do you do when a player cheats? How do you build relationships that actually shape athletes? These were not surface-level conversations. They were practical, honest, and deeply relevant. At the same time, there was a deeper layer. Coaches wrestled with how to live out their faith within their programs, especially in environments where they could not be explicitly Christian. That tension led to meaningful discussion. How do you be transformational without being forceful? How do you lead with Christ at the center, even when you cannot say His name out loud in your program? That space, where faith meets real life, is where growth happened. As Mike shared, coaching created the common ground. Whether it was a PGA professional working with members and junior golfers, or a high school coach leading a team, the shared identity of “coach” opened the door to deeper relationships. And from that foundation, faith conversations followed naturally. Impact That Crosses State Lines What is happening is not confined to Minnesota. These huddles have already expanded across the Northland FCA region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Coaches like Dean Johs from Mandan, North Dakota have been regular participants, bringing connection and unity across state lines. This is a glimpse of what is possible when coaches are equipped and encouraged together.
For decades, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes focused its ministry within the United States. In 2013, FCA officially launched FCA International , expanding the mission to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church, worldwide. To support this growth, FCA adopted an “align and assign” model, pairing each U.S. region with a global region. This strategy builds long-term relationships, strengthens accountability, and ensures that every part of the world receives prayer, support, and partnership. Currently, Minnesota FCA partners with sports ministry leaders in the following Southern African countries : Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, and the British Indian Ocean Territory. These ministries are led by passionate local leaders. Meet Graciano, Toloane, Chris, Roy, and Selina who are reaching coaches and athletes in their countries every day.
From Choir Room to 60 Strong How Heather Gilbertson Is Sparking a Spiritual Movement at St. Peter High
As we conclude this calendar year of ministry, we are seeing God move across Minnesota in ways that are both unmistakable and deeply encouraging. From small rural communities to large suburban districts to college campuses, coaches and athletes are seeking truth, opening God’s Word, and stepping forward as Christ-centered leaders. The hunger is real, the momentum is growing, and the impact is multiplying far beyond anything we could orchestrate ourselves. Below is a snapshot of how God is working through FCA across the state - and why this moment matters. 
Rivalries are a cornerstone of high school sports — and few Minnesota communities boast a more passionate one than in Bloomington. Separated by just three miles, Bloomington Jefferson and Bloomington Kennedy hadn't faced each other in football since 2017. The October game had been scheduled for months, but the Bloomington Police Department recognized an opportunity to bring the football programs together for a pregame meal. The challenge, however, was only coming up with the idea about 10 days before the game.
What happens when 61 FCA leaders gather with one mission — to equip, empower, and encourage one another? 🌟 Momentum. Vision. Inspiration. Dive into the story of FCA Twin Cities’ Fall Summit and discover how faith-filled collaboration is multiplying impact across the Metro.
Known statewide as a coaching legend, Dwight’s success isn’t just measured in trophies. His son (also a football coach), Matt, describes it best: “Dad would never point to his success, because that’s not what he’s about. His purpose is so much bigger.” Four state championships and 15 state tournament appearances only tell part of the story. His true legacy lies in the countless young men whose lives have been shaped by his faith and example. 
In 2024, FCA began walking alongside the St. Olaf College Football coaching staff in Northfield, Minnesota. The connection started through relationship - one coach at St. Olaf knew another coach that FCA Southeast MN Area Director, Jimmy Westland, had been discipling at Winona State. That simple introduction opened the door to something much bigger: a weekly gathering of coaches seeking to grow as Christ-centered leaders on their teams and in their lives. A Huddle That Goes Beyond the Field Every Wednesday morning, the St. Olaf Football Coaches Huddle meets virtually. On paper, it’s a small group - usually six or seven coaches (insert 6-7 meme here!). But in practice, it’s a powerful community of men committed to following Christ together. Jimmy leads the group in prayer and a Bible study, and each week they dig into Scripture and apply it to life, leadership, and coaching. Jimmy recalls a special visit to campus: “I spent a day at spring practice. We met as coaches, ate lunch together in the cafeteria, and then went to practice. It was a great opportunity to be shoulder-to-shoulder with them, to see their world firsthand.” Over the past year, the group has experienced life’s highs and lows together - from celebrating the birth of new babies to walking through grief after losing loved ones. Through it all, faith and fellowship have deepened. “We’ve built friendships through this huddle,” Jimmy said. “I look forward to meeting every week.” Why Coaches Matter Billy Graham once said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in a lifetime.”That truth is at the heart of FCA’s ministry to coaches. Coaches hold a uniquely influential role - they shape the culture of their teams, mentor student-athletes, and model what character and perseverance look like under pressure. When a coach is centered on Christ, the ripple effects are profound. Teams notice. Players notice. Even fans and families notice. Ministry to the coach becomes ministry through the coach. Walking With Coaches, Not Just Toward Them FCA staff like Jimmy are called to come alongside coaches - to disciple, listen, and care for them as whole people. Coaches spend so much of their time investing in others that they often carry the weight of their players’ struggles, successes, and spiritual needs. They need spaces where they can be poured into, too. That’s where FCA steps in. Our staff understand the coach’s world. We sit in their offices, pray over their practices, and walk with them through real life. Our role is to serve and support the coach just as Christ serves the Church - faithfully, humbly, and relationally. Get Involved Whether you’re a head coach, assistant coach, volunteer, or simply someone with a heart for sports ministry, there are many ways to get involved in FCA’s ministry to coaches: Join or start a Coaches Huddle - in person or online. Attend an FCA Coaches Time Out retreat to rest, recharge, and connect with other Christ-centered coaches. Engage in 1-on-1 discipleship with a local FCA staff member. If you’d like to take a next step in your faith journey as a coach, click the button below to fill out a brief form sharing your interests in getting involved!
In Southwest Minnesota, God is using a group of coaches’ wives to make a lasting impact far beyond the sidelines. The Coaches Wives Huddle, led by FCA Southwest Minnesota Area Director Robin Knudson, began with a simple question: How can we reach coaches for Christ when their schedules are packed and their time is limited? For Robin, the answer came in 2017/18 when two coaches’ wives approached her about starting a group where women married to coaches could gather for encouragement and spiritual growth. This prompting was actually an answer to prayer for an obstacle that Robin had been experiencing in ministry. “As a female staff person, I can’t necessarily walk into a male coach’s office, close the door, and have a one-on-one conversation,” Robin explained. “But I can minister to their families, especially to their wives, who are often walking through the similar challenges and joys.” A Safe Space for Shared Stories and Scripture The first Coaches Wives Huddle launched just a few months later and included women connected to Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) and Marshall High School. What began as a small gathering quickly became a source of strength and community. “Coaches’ wives speak the same language,” Robin said. “They understand what it’s like to balance family life while their husbands pour into athletes, to juggle schedules, and to manage things at home during a busy season.” Through the years, the group has met consistently, studying Scripture together through book studies and various FCA resources (like the Discovery Bible Study Method ). The women span generations: some are new moms while others are now married to retired coaches. “There’s wisdom and fresh excitement in the room,” Robin shared. “They encourage each other and grow together.” The Ripple Effect of Ministry What began as one small gathering has multiplied in ways Robin never expected. One of the original wives now serves on the Southwest MN FCA Board. Another leads the Marshall Middle School Huddle. One couple helped start a baseball Bible study last spring , while another is hoping to start a wrestling Bible study this winter. Yet another is helping to get a FCA huddle started at Lac Qui Parle Valley.  “Praise God! It’s His ministry,” Robin said. “I just get to walk alongside these women and watch what He’s doing.” Robin also points out how God has used the Huddle to strengthen marriages and families. After attending Coaches Time Out (CTO), some of the couples became comfortable praying together and with their families for the very first time. “They learned how to talk about faith as a family,” she said. “Now it feels natural to them.” Fruit That Lasts: Stories from the Wives Jan Bahlmann, wife of Marshall Head Football Coach Terry Bahlmann, said: “Friendships have blossomed, faith has grown, and the blessings have been abundant. The Huddle gives me the chance to study the Bible intentionally and hear others’ perspectives under the authority of Scripture.” Nancy Blanchard, wife of longtime SMSU Baseball Coach Paul Blanchard, shared how the group gave her peace and perspective during her husband’s health scare: “This Huddle has been instrumental in keeping me in the Word and empowering me to share God’s grace and mercy. It’s helped me support my husband through the ups and downs of coaching with an eternal mindset.” Emily Pollock, wife of Marshall Baseball and Football Coach Chace Pollock, described how the ministry changed her walk with Christ: “Our first study spoke to every frustration I’d had as a coach’s wife. It showed me that God has a reason for placing me right where I am. My faith has grown, and my husband and I are growing, praying, and loving our Savior together.” Each testimony underscores how a simple act of gathering around God’s Word has produced spiritual growth, strengthened marriages, and influenced entire families and teams.
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