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The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is among the largest sports ministries in the world. The FCA is a non-profit Christian organization that leverages popular sports to spread Christianity. It is the most diverse Christian sports organization based in schools in America, with offices the world over. The society features athletes and coaches who adhere to the Christian faith, and the membership draws from high schools, colleges, and universities. The head offices of the FCA are in Kansas City, Missouri.
The FCA was the brainchild of Don McClanen, who thought of a way to minister and spread the gospel of Christ to these young people. Being a young coach, he knew very well the extent of popularity of the cultural domain of sports and athletes within the community (Radermacher, 2018). He concluded that if popular athletes could promote goods and services on both TV and radio, athletes who professed the Christian faith could also promote the Christian lifestyle in the same way.
McClanen wrote a letter to prominent sports personalities to help him implement his vision. He desired to spread and promote church-oriented activities focused on sports (Watson, 2018). Among the sports personalities to support him were Branch Rickey, Otto Graham, a former quarterback with the Cleveland Browns, and Carl Erskine, a former pitcher for the LA Dodgers also offered their support. Don McClanen’s vision had finally got the desired attention, and he resigned his post as coach to become the first executive director.
The FCA’s core values that correlate to writings in the Bible are listed as integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The organization operates in accordance with a statement of faith that is based on several Christian principles and Bible teachings. Although all students can attend the organization’s events, aspiring leaders must sign the statement of faith and a sexual purity statement. These two documents have stroked controversy for the organization due to alleged discrimination of LGBTQ athletes. Other than that, it is the largest diversified school-based Christian sports organization in America. The FCA organizes camps for its members, considering these to be a time for perspiration and inspiration.
Describing the strategic plan of the FCA, it seems necessary to note their main task – to interest athletes and coaches in the teachings of Christ. Since it is the coach who appears to be the leading figure for the association, the task is to indoctrinate the coach so that the perception of Christian thought can be transmitted along the chain. The principle of the three E’s, engagement, equipping and empowerment, should not only provide sufficient motivation, but also provide a fundamentally important foundation for knowing the teachings of Christ. It is through the influence of the coach on other athletes who become adherents of the teachings that the global influence of Christian thought spreads.
Internationally, the FCA strategy offers numerous opportunities for members through vision, training, and sports trips. A vision trip for members and volunteers increases awareness and provides exposure via listening and learning from international ministry leaders and partners. The FCA sends members to other countries to offer sports ministry training to various groups through the training trips it organizes. The sports trip for athletes and coaches helps to aid partners in realizing their sports ministry vision through camps, clinics, and competitions in their countries. Through these different trips, the FCA will leverage the members who take part to widen the reach of the organization internationally, thus realizing the global strategic plan.
Through the various camp events it organizes, the FCA influences many students and coaches the world over, not only in America. Sports camps are organized for members who want to develop and nurture their athletic skills while preparing for upcoming competitions. Leadership camps are open to members who act as leaders within campuses or in their various communities. Coaches’ camps are used to encourage and equip members who can attend with their families as well. Team camps exist as outreach opportunities for members who sign up for the camp as a team and participate in organized competitions. All these camps and several others help develop and nurture the talents of various members of the FCA, be it the coaches or athletes.
Over the past six decades, the FCA has grown in breadth and reach. There are plenty of sports stars and personalities who have been members of the FCA. Other than Branch Rickey, who is recognized as the first to break the racial barrier in baseball when he called on Jackie Robinson to join his team, another well-known member coach Bobby Bowden. The Bobby Bowden Award is in his honor and issued by the FCA annually.
Reggie White, who played fifteen seasons in the NFL and college football at the University of Tennessee, was also a member of the FCA. Recent stars and FCA members include Adam Wainwright and Brian Roberts, who both play Major League Baseball. Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy, who play in the NFL, are also members. Reality TV star Willie Robertson and comedian Jeff Foxworthy are notable members of the FCA who are not sports personalities.
Although Don McClanen passed on in February 2016, his legacy has influenced millions all over the world. Don was the organizations’ first executive director and thanks to his vision, the FCA has changed the lives of thousands. Through his love of God, the FCA today stands as a testament to his commitment to God’s will for his life. Over six decades after its formation, the FCA today still adheres and upholds the values that McClanen had envisioned.
References
Radermacher, M, (2018). Sports and mainline churches in Germany: Societal systems between competition and mutual support. The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, 30(1). 6-22. Web.
Watson, N. J. (2018). New directions in theology, church, and sports: A brief overview and position statement. Theology, 121(4), 243-251. Web.
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