Not all of the news coming out of U.S. schools is negative. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes believes it can set a new record for attendees of its camps in 2023, with as many as 100,000 expected to attend more than 900 camps worldwide.
Last year, the Kansas City-based organization was host to around 83,000 attendees for 839 camps located across the world. Kellen Cox, FCA’s executive vice president of ministry advancement says that his organization expects more than 100,000 attendees this year, including campers, staff and volunteers.
“We believe 2023 will be one of the biggest camp years ever — over 600 U.S. camps and upwards of 300 international camps,” he said. “Last year, we set a record of 514 nationwide camps. FCA camps take place all year long, but the height of camp season is Memorial Day weekend through the summer. We are currently celebrating 60 camps nationwide this week alone.”
Cox believes the growth is happening “because God is doing unbelievable kingdom work and raising up more workers for the harvest. There is such a desire from coaches and athletes to hear the truth that we’re seeing more hearts turned toward God than we have in a long time.”
This year’s theme for the FCA camps is “Greater,” based on the message of John 3:30, which reads, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” With this theme, the FCA hopes to remind coaches and athletes that their chief identity is in Christ instead of in sports.
“We really believe that as coaches and athletes are drawn to the truth of the gospel, Jesus Christ will transform their lives,” Cox said. “Jesus has a plan of restoration for them. They don’t have to live a life of frustration and fear but can live a life of hope and joy and purpose.
“This is the starting point of FCA’s E3 — engage, equip, and empower. Camp can be a catalyst for a life of transformation. Camp doesn’t have to be just a ‘mountaintop experience’ but the beginning of their lifelong walk with Christ. This aligns with our yearly theme, ‘Greater’ — He must increase and I must decrease.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
