HEART and SOUL SPRING 2012
Minnesota FCA MINISTRY UPDATE
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to learn more about upcoming:- Banquets
- Summer Camps
- Golf Tournaments
- Other Special FCA Events
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FCA Nominated for
"Gold'n Good" Award
St. Cloud Radio Station Spirit
92.9 and Gold'n Plump Chicken have teamed up to recognize the "Gold'n Good" that's being done in their community. Alex Whitworth, Program Director at Spirit, wrote this to Craig Mabis, Central Lakes FCA rep,
"FCA has been nominated as
an organization who shines brightly and is touching lives in a special way. Thanks for making a positive impact in our community... and making Central Minnesota a better place to live!"
Spirit 92.9 will be creating a promo to air three times a day for two weeks to highlight the ministry of FCA.
"Why Hastings Huddle Leaders Love FCA...  | Michelle Mages, Senior at HHS
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"I love how FCA brings together all different types of students for a common purpose: to apply our faith in every area of our lives. With FCA, I've also learned leadership skills that I've put into practice co-leading our Leadership Team and Huddle. It's been cool to see myself -and others- grow!" |
 | | Erika Nielsen, Senior at HHS |
"Morning Huddle gives us a place to hold each other accountable,
get grounded, share a lesson, and provide a good support system for each other. I've especially liked being a Huddle leader, because in order to pass along a lesson to others, you really need to go deeper to learn it and apply it to yourself."
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 | | Connor Stoker, Senior at HHS |
"FCA connects me with other people that believe in Christ and who are always willing to offer help and support. FCA also gives me an opportunity to publicly profess my faith, which I think is a crucial part to anyone's faith. It helps me show others exactly what I stand for."
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Greetings Friends & Supporters of Minnesota FCA!
The ministry of Minnesota FCA targets coaches and athletes in middle schools, high schools and colleges and universities around the state. We present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equip coaches and athlete leaders who will reach others on their teams and on their campuses. Paul's words in Ephesians 4:12 are our challenge: "To equip God's people for works of service,so that the body of Christ may be built up."
While we work hard with our "inputs," and we measure the "outputs" of efforts, we trust the Holy Spirit for the "outcomes"... transformed hearts and lives. The stories in this newsletter represent the fruit of our ministry and we are delighted to share them with you. Thank you for all you do to help us as we strive to build God's kingdom through the influence of coaches and athletes!
Glenn Martin MN State Director |
"They devoted themselves to teaching...
fellowship...prayer... And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42 & 47
 | | New huddle for Mahtomedi -- Count them IN! |
A group of believers in the Mahtomedi School District has been gathering together - devoting themselves to the Word and to prayer in - an effort to launch an FCA chapter in their high school. Seventy parents and teaches were at the first interest meeting. Sixteen student athletes have also committed to being part of the leadership team, and are going through FCA Leadership Training, defining their roles, and becoming more equipped to be effective ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
Two of these student leaders joined Ron Backes, North Metro FCA Rep, in a meeting with the superintendent. When faced with the superintendent's concern about the appropriateness of a Christian group on campus, the students explained their intent to bring FCA to their school in this way:
"Our goal is to represent Mahtomedi in the highest light. When we go to compete at other schools, we want them to say how honorable we played and how much we respected the other team -- we want to be athletes that play hard, but play with honor. We want to do good in our school."
These students are great examples of Christ's ambassadors in action!
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Bob Nelson, Head Wrestling Coach at Northwestern High School (located near Duluth ), was in the midst of a challenging - and discouraging - season. But Coach Nelson credits Cal Barr, Northeast MN FCA Rep, with helping him turn things around.
"Cal helped me refine my coaching structure and teach this young, inexperienced team about the sport and what true winning is. After 25 years of coaching, I can honestly say that this was the best year I've ever had. We did not even come close to winning a meet, but because of the life changing transformations I saw on a daily basis, I was encouraged to keep moving forward and investing in the lives of these athletes. Because of the focus on transforming lives, and on the process of developing winning behavior for life, we were able to have success every day. Knowing that the coaching staff was more focused on character development than on wins removed the fear of losing, and the athletes became more willing to try different things - and their skill levels began to grow. Putting the focus on the process, also helped the students to feel they had value despite their win/loss record."
Coach Nelson has since recruited the softball, track, cross-country and volley ball coaches to attend FCA Transformational Coaching sessions. Transforming lives...the ultimate victory!
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Lead Like Jesus
More than 40 college students met in Loretto,MN to learn from Christ's model of leadership and discuss how to apply that model to their own lives. Through teaching, personal testimonies, small group discussions, worship (and late night bonfires!), these students are being equipped to lead and be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. "We need to be in prayer for our students," said Joy Gardner, FCA College Ministry. "The battle for their time, attention and heart is so great...but...our God is greater! These students are living proof of that!"
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Training Leaders to "Complete the Task"
 | | Students share how God is working. |
The apostle Paul said,"My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace (Acts 20:24)."
FCA Leadership Summits are designed to equip coaches and athlete-leaders to "complete the task" the Lord has given them...to share the Good News!.
"Our last summit had 40 athlete leaders from eight different high schools, all focused on how to share the Gospel," said Randy Jensen, South Metro FCA Rep. "We teach students how to share their faith in a simple, practical way, give them the opportunity to role play sharing the Gospel message others, and challenge them to look for opportunities beyond their huddle to share the Gospel."
At the most recent West Metro summit, there were almost 50 students and coaches in attendance. "One of the highlights this year," said Jake Vanada, West Metro FCA Rep, "was to hear students from Eden Prairie sharing the vision God has given them to pray for their entire school. They shared about FCA, the student-led football chapels, and other ways the Lord had been working. This kicked off part three of our leadership training, where students met in smaller groups to discuss what was happening at their respective schools and how they saw the Lord moving - it was absolutely incredible! These students are fired up for Jesus Christ and are making an impact on their campuses. FCA is an incredible vehicle that the Lord has provided for us to use to make a big difference for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ at local public high schools." Praise God!  
Prayer and personal reflection. Role playing their "Good News" message.
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FCA Courts of Praise
Our mission at FCA goes beyond winning souls for Christ. Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." That directive inspired John Conway, South Central FCA rep, to hold the first ever Courts of Praise at Waseca Jr. High - a follow up to last fall's Fields of Faith that drew more than 100 students, including 29 who made first time commitments to Jesus Christ. At Courts of Praise, 39 nine junior and senior high school students (plus 15 from FCA's adult chapter) gathered for a powerful evening of praise, testimonies, and the "building up" of their faith through the study of God's word. It's exciting to see young people eager to grow in their faith and desire to influence those around them for Jesus Christ!
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New Men's Integrity
Hockey League Last April, Dr. John Mack, part of True North Christian Hockey,and Todd Lohstreter, FCA Hockey Community Ministries, met at the Christian Cup Hockey Tournament in Blaine. A series of conversations ensued, which eventually came to include Edina and Augsburg leaders from the Okontoe Hockey League. They decided that by combining efforts they could more effectively accomplish their goal of ministering to men through hockey and influencing them for Jesus Christ. And so the Integrity Hockey League (part of FCA Hockey) was launched. More than 200 men, playing in 20+ teams across the metro area, meet for an hour of fellowship and Bible study before hockey each week. For more information, visit www.fcaAdultHockey.com and click on the "Leagues" tab at the top. |
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"Let Your Light Shine
before men that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in Heaven." - Matt.5:16
David Melms, FCA intern and football cornerback at Macalaster College, was selected to the American Football Coaches Association "2011 Good Works Team," and recognized during half-time at the Sugar Bowl game. Each year, the AFCA selects 22 football players who are committed to making a difference in their communities to receive this special honor. In addition to starting an FCA chapter at Macalaster and organizing multiple school service projects, David has founded "Stand Out" - a program committed to providing Twin Cities youth with a wide array of fun alternatives to drugs and alcohol. Please pray for David's ministry and that his good works would continue to bring glory to our Father in Heaven!
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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
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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