Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
For many student-athletes, summer means attending Fellowship of Christian Athletes camps. This significant experience will become a gamechanger, both athletically and spiritually, according to the Kansas City-based ministry
In addition to the offerings for athletes, FCA is also offers coaches camps for single and married coaches and their families. These camps are designed to minister, equip and encourage coaches through Bible studies, huddles (small-group discipleship), fellowship, prayer support and discipleship. FCA also provides weekend retreats called “Coaches Time Out,” helping coaches and their spouses grow in their relationships with Christ and each other, best positioning them to “Win at Home.”
“Community and fellowship are so vital, especially now, and for those in key coaching and mentoring positions, these are even more critical,” said Shane Williamson, FCA’s president and CEO. “Each summer, FCA is honored to focus on coaches for a time of inspiration and perspiration, when they truly can be renewed. The best part is that FCA coaches camps are a family affair. The life of a coach can be demanding, but when a coaching family slows down, enjoys each other’s company, strengthens their relationships and grows in their walk with Christ at an FCA camp, it is transformational.”
As an added benefit, coaches interact with others who are in similar life stages and have parallel experiences and challenges. Attendees come to understand and appreciate that they are not alone in their struggles. Plus, special guest speakers address such issues as marriage, parenting, finances and faith.
FCA coaches return refreshed to their teams and their communities. “I’ve been able to grow in my relationship with God by being surrounded by other Christian coaches and believers,” one attendee said.
In the summer of 2023, FCA welcomed more than 110,000 coaches and athletes to its programs. These coaches and athletes attended 1,042 FCA camps all around the world, making last year FCA’s largest camp season to date. In 2024, FCA is anticipating an even greater reach and, as always, will be distributing an FCA Bible to every camper who attends a camp.
Several camps already have begun this year, while many more are set for the remainder of the summer. For more information, visit www.fcacamps.org.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
