Why FCA?

We are also called to make an eternal impact that will bring life change now and for eternity, and there are also amazing organizations doing that work every day with people of all ages. But back to our first question, what sets FCA apart from any other Christian nonprofit vying for your money? The answer is one word.

Sports.

Our nation is obsessed with sports. Professional, college, high school, club, youth, and recreational sports monopolize our time (and checkbooks). We can watch sports 24/7 on TV. There is rarely an empty field or court open in any community on any evening or weekend throughout any given sports season. Games and practice take priority over vacation and even education at times. Some people say the main religion in our country is now sports.

From its beginning, professional and college sports have provided a unique platform for coaches and athletes to share their messages. You may remember one college football championship game where a certain player penned “John 3:16” into his eye black, causing 93 million people to Google those words on one night. Think of a professional athlete you remember speaking up about something completely unrelated to sports. Whether it was about politics, culture, or which insurance to buy, you remember because they had a platform. But it isn’t only professional and college sports that have a voice.

Whole communities rally around teams that make it to the state championship. Minnesota FCA ran a story this spring on the Becker High School girls basketball team the day before they played in the state tournament. Within two days, it became the most viewed story on the website. Thousands of people read about the faith of four of the starters, which gave these young athletes an even greater platform to shine for Christ.

In addition, our coaches have tremendous impact on their teams. Coaches spend hundreds of hours with their players each season and have an opportunity to model character, integrity, and most importantly, Christ. Minnesota FCA ran another story on the impact of Todd Wallert, who over 28 years of coaching has impacted hundreds and potentially even thousands of students and athletes who have since gone on to impact others.

FCA provides a space to engage, equip, and empower these athletes and coaches as they bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their teams, schools, and communities. FCA can make an eternal impact in the lives of these coaches and athletes and then as these coaches and athletes multiply themselves in the lives of others over their lifetimes.

Urban Ministry

FCA Urban Minneapolis Area Rep, Kyle, is a familiar face at North. He is there to hold open the door for students almost every morning, hang out in the weight room, and coach football. He has been working hard to create trust and build relationships with the guys on the football team so that he can share Christ’s love with them. This summer, he and another urban area rep, Jordan, took six of the football players on a weekend retreat to a cabin on a lake. 

For many of these guys, it was their first time on a lake, first time in a boat, first time tubing, first time going on a hike, first time seeing a waterfall, and first time catching a fish. More importantly, it was the first time they were given the opportunity to leave the challenges of the city and just have fun. 

They were able to unplug and go deeper in their relationships with God and each other. 

That short time away from normal daily life continues to make an impact today. Because the guys were given tools to grow in worship, prayer, and scripture reading and because Jordan and Kyle have built genuine relationships with them, they want to grow. Many other guys have since been asking when the next retreat is and if they can come too. 

This is just one example of the vast work being done.

Equipping Coaches and Huddles

Coach Wallert from the story above is a constant reflection of Christ’s selfless love to the athletes under his care. His consistency, humility, and genuine care for his athletes has left a mark on countless young people over the last three decades, and his work as a huddle coach has equipped countless students as they reach their campuses and eventually their workplaces for Christ.

Imagine if there were an FCA-empowered coach like Coach Wallert on every high school campus in Minnesota.

Imagine the difference that could be made in the lives of athletes throughout the state with a committed Christ-follower coaching, teaching, and mentoring them, and imagine if more and more huddles were engaged, equipped, and empowered to lead well.

This is “Why FCA?” 

FCA is making an eternal impact every single day in the lives of coaches and athletes all around the state of Minnesota.