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HEART and SOUL
MN FCA MINISTRY UPDATE October 2011 |
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There's LIFE in the HUDDLE!
Check out this amazing shot from one of our huddles in the West Metro. About 130 athletes showed up at the kick off -- and 30 of them accepted Christ!
Coaches, Athletes, FCA, and YOU...
all working together to carry out the
Great Commission! |
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"Why I love FCA...
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Taylor (far right) at an FCA gathering. |
"Growing up with FCA has been great. This summer, I had the awesome experience of leading a young FCA camper to Christ! I love that FCA gives college athletes a platform to share their faith story."
--Taylor Filzen
Junior at NW College
"I feel like I fit in. FCA has also challenged me to be bolder and more transparent about my faith. I've learned that it's important to not lead a double life -- you really have to step in to the shoes that you claim to be wearing."
--Graham Massot
Junior at Rochester Century H.S. |
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Expanding the Kingdom
For more than a year now, we have been working diligently to expand God's kingdom through the ministry of FCA and pursue our 2020 Vision: "To triple our effectiveness by 2020 compared to the fruit in 2010." We are not seeking a harvest of numbers, but of young lives changed for eternity. It has been exciting to see God working through FCA to draw more athletes and coaches into a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the past year, God has expanded our ministry by bringing us three new team members to mentor and equip local coaches and huddle leaders. We were also able to start 17 new huddles, 10 new coaches study groups and add 120 more campers. Through your continued prayer and financial faithfulness, we are hoping to add two additional team members in 2012 -- one to focus on the East Metro, and a male team member to complement Joy Gardner in our college ministry. We also hope to increase the number of huddles and coaches study groups in each area of the state and add at least one additional camp. We are trusting God for big things! If you are not already part of our team, please JOIN US in impacting the world for Jesus Christ. Thanks for all you do. We hope the stories in this newsletter will bless you as they have blessed us! Glenn Martin MN State Director |
Student Athletes Boldly Leading On and Off the Field
FCA's vision is to impact the world for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. Andrew Larson and Drake Michaelson, football co-captains at Eden Prairie High School, are doing their part to make that happen. This summer, Andrew and Drake decided to host a Bible study at Drakes's home during the break between morning and afternoon practices. Fifty of their teammates decided to join them. Andrew and Drake boldly shared their lives, their faith, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their Bible study has continued into the fall and many of their teammates now enjoy regular fellowship and teaching at their local FCA Huddle. After a recent victory over Hopkins, more than 50 Eden Prairie players knelt in prayer at the 50 yard line -- and were soon joined by 30 Hopkins players! What a testimony! Jesus calls His followers to share the Good News and to make disciples. Please pray for these student athletes as they courageously answer that call!
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FCA CAMP: More Than Just a "Game" Changer
Every athlete understands the concept of a game changing play, but this summer, student athletes were presented with the opportunity to make the biggest game changing play of their lives...to accept Jesus Christ and enter into relationship with Him!
This year's theme was
"GAME CHANGER... Make a Play." Picture is Waseca's FCA Junior Sports Clinic, now in its 21st year and hosting 162 campers. "Lots of fun, good athletic instruction, but most importantly, many personal commitments to Christ," said John Conway, FCA Area Associate. Regular Jr. High huddle meetings, and special events like FCA's Fields of Faith offer continued opportunities to minister to these young campers. |
College Retreat: "Living Up to the High Calling"  Students from all across the state came together for one last time of fellowship and encouragement with FCA friends before heading back to college. "These students are united by their common desire to live for Christ," said Joy Gardner, FCA College Ministry. "The opportunity to nurture these special friendships really strengthens students and challenges them to return to school ready to lead and 'live up to the high calling they have received.'" |
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What is Coaches Ministry?
The best answer comes right out of 2 Timothy 2:2 --
"And the things that you have heard me say...entrust to reliable
men(and women) who will also be qualified to teach others."
FCA Coaches Ministry teaches and equips coaches to be more effective at sharing the good news with those they influence. We do this through Bible studies, staff contacts, prayer support, discipleship, mentoring and providing resource materials. Read on to see how God has been working through coaches across the state...
More than 30 years ago, Ron Backes, FCA Director of Coaches Ministry, first heard the about the love of Jesus from a fellow teammate at Hamline University. This teammate, now a high school football coach in the northern suburbs, invited Ron to speak to his team during chapel time. More than sixty players and coaches gathered to hear Ron share how Jesus had transformed his life. He went on to explain how they, too, could be transformed by the love of Jesus and come into a personal relationship with God. Thirty young men committed their life to Jesus and stood up to declare their faith amongst their coaches and teammates. Not that takes courage! The coach invited the players who had made commitments to Jesus to meet at his house for a six week FCA Study called "The Starting Line," which focuses on building a solid foundation of faith.
Last fall, Jake Vanada, FCA West Metro Area Director, started a training and discipleship group for student athletes at Minnetonka High School. Several weeks in, Jake invited Assistant Football Coach Best to join them. It wasn't long before Coach Best began to his his stride, engaging, teaching and challenging the students. "I was there for only 12 weeks before he was ready to take on leadership of the group," said Jake. "God has done incredible work in his heart. He has totally taken ownership of this and has begun to disciple these students and point them to Jesus. The result in the huddle has been huge. More kids are coming, More kids are excited. I see this all the time--coaches using the vehicle of FCA to carry out the call of the Lord on their life. It is amazing. It is real. It is happening right now." |
"For I Know the Plans I Have For You..." Jeremiah 29:11
Craig Mabis had a great job, great friends, and a great home in Colorado Springs. He also had a passion for sports and a passion for Jesus Christ. At the suggestion of a friend, Craig began wondering if there was a way to combine his two great passions. His wife, Jessi, searched "sports ministry" online and discovered FCA. That began a whirlwind process that led them to Minnesota. Within a few short months, they were packed and on the move with God leading the way.
Their house in Colorado, which had been on the market for 8 months, sold the very day Craig signed his agreement to join FCA. Thirty days later, with trucks loaded, kids out of school and job commitment finished, Craig called Glenn Martin, MN FCA State Director, and asked, "Where do you want us to go? We'll drive to wherever the need is." They wound up in Sartell, just outside of St. Cloud. For 30 days they were without a home. "God used so many people to bless us during that time - we didn't even need to buy a single meal!" Their new home is yet another example of God's provision. Because of Craig's radical career change, banks were hesitant to authorize a home loan, but God prompted someone aware of the situation to step in and back the loan. "What I've really learned throughout this process is that when you remove all the distractions the world puts in front of us, you can clearly see God and the plan that He has for us. That has given us tremendous peace during this transition."
Craig has been encouraging and equipping FCA huddle groups across the Central Lakes Area and is working to have an increased presence on the campus of St. Cloud State University. Please pray that God will do great things through Craig and his ministry! |
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How to Reach US
Minnesota FCA Staff
Glenn Martin, State Director gmartin@fca.org
Ron Backes, North Metro rbackes@fca.org
Cal Barr, Northeast MN cbarr@fca.org
J.D. Bickle, Southeast MN jbickle@fca.org
James Bolin, Southeast MN jbolin@fca.org
Dean Bowyer, MN Valley dbowyer@fca.org
John Conway, South Central MN jconway@fca.org
Joy Gardner, State Office/Events/College Ministry jgardner@fca.org
Randy Jensen, South Metro rjensen@fca.org
Jon Kaus, Southwest MN jkaus@fca.org
Robin Knudson, Marshall Area rknudson@fca.org
Jim Kunz, MN Valley jkunz@fca.org
Craig Mabis, Central Lakes Area cmabis@fca.org
Jennie McCarthy, Finance & Technology Support jmccarthy@fca.org
Jake Vanada, West Metro jvanada@fca.org
Chris Whitney, MN Valley whitney@fca.org
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