HEART and SOUL
FALL 2012
Minnesota FCA MINISTRY UPDATE
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MN FCA
By the Numbers
127
Certified Campus Huddles
13
Summer Camps
1462
Campers
344
Decisions for Christ at Camp
161
Coaches in Bible Studies
2024
Bibles Distributed
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To donate
to the ministry
of Minnesota FCA
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The Bible tells us of a time when Jesus was walking about during his ministry, saw the crowds, and was filled with compassion. Then Jesus told his disciples,
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." -Matt 9:37-38
Our hearts are like Christ's when we see the over 600,000 students in grades 4-12, and recognize that they ALL need Jesus as their Savior. Indeed, the harvest is ripe and we want to send out more workers.
During the past six months, God has allowed us to bring another worker on staff. We are excited to welcome Stephanie Goetz, who will
be serving the Owatonna area. We praise God in advance for what He is going to do through Stephanie's ministry, and we continue to pray for more workers -- especially someone in the east metro and someone to serve colleges and universities. It is because of your faithful and generous support that we are able to share the stories in this newsletter of how God is working through Minnesota FCA -- and you. THANK YOU! And, as God provides, we will reap an even greater harvest, impacting the world for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches
and athletes.
Glenn Martin
MN State Director
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FCA Sports Camp: Training the Body & the Soul!
Athletes from the Upper Midwest gathered at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for FCA Summer Sports Camp where they received training in one of 13 sports. Comments about the quality of instruction were extremely positive, but most encouraging were the 37 first-time commitments for Christ, the 158 who re-committed their life to Christ, the 240 who said they grew spiritually, and the seekers who wanted to learn more! But the story doesn't end there. FCA's local campus huddles continue to train and encourage athletes in their faith - and challenge them to share that faith with others! Your support makes this happen!
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Decision to Follow Christ Most Often Made In Youth
Scripture says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it," so it's not surprising that research finds people are most likely to make a decision to follow Jesus when they are young. This summer, hundreds of young athletes from across the state participated in FCA Sports Camps and Clinics. Our theme, IN THE ZONE, encouraged athletes to play - and live - IN THE ZONE (based on Ephesians 3:20).
During breaks, athletes participated in Huddle groups and heard from coaches, camp counselors and special speakers about the key elements of living IN THE ZONE: fellowship with other believers; a growing knowledge and application of the Bible (God's "playbook" for us); a passion for prayer; and an attitude of worship on and off the playing field. Just one of many encouraging comments we received:
"Both of my sons enjoy FCA camp and talk about it often with their friends. This year, they introduced 6 new campers to FCA and are very excited about next year's camp & other FCA opportunities. Thank you!"
- Julie Ann H, Rochester
Pictured are three of many FCA sports camps & clinics held across the state.
Junior Sports Clinics from Waseca (above), Cannon Falls (bottom left) & Rochester (bottom right)
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Expanding FCA's Sphere of Influence with "The Well"
"Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst again...the water I give will be a well of water springing up within..."
John 4:14
Joy Gardner, FCA College & Women's Ministry Rep, draws from John 4:14 when she talks about her vision for FCA's new women's ministry, THE WELL. "For the past two years, I have seen women who are in need of a spiritual, emotional and mental drink of refreshment. The culture we live in provides just the opposite - it drains us of that refreshment. We want to disciple college women and give them an opportunity to invite their friends to join them on their journey." said Gardner. THE WELL targets college women and is not exclusive to athletes. Its aim is to equip women with the truth of the Gospel and minister to the unique needs and concerns of women. FCA's desire is to create an environment of unconditional love & community that will empower women to step out boldy, recognizing that their identity, fulfillment and power are in Christ. THE WELL begins this semester and will follow an 8-week curriculum that tackles subjects such as Our Identity in Christ, Purity, Relationships, Worry, Body Image, and Effectively Sharing Our Faith.
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"I Will Give Them One Heart and one purpose..." Jer. 32:39
When believers unite to accomplish God's purpose, amazing things happen! NW MN & Central Lakes FCA, in partnership with the St. Cloud YMCA Christian Emphasis Committee, developed a summer outreach event that provided coaches and athletes a great vehicle for sharing the Gospel. Augie Rodriguez, Head Baseball Coach of the semi-pro St. Cloud Rox, was eager to join forces.
Their efforts drew more than 70 kids to a free summer baseball clinic where young athletes picked up some great new skills, and most importantly, heard the Good News of Jesus Christ presented in a clear and relevant way. Coach Rodriguez shared how walking with God changed his life and challenged athletes with this thought: "When I meet Jesus for the first time in Heaven, he won't be asking about my winning percentage, but what I did on this earth to glorify Him." The clinic was followed by a St. Cloud Rox game titled "Faith in Action," where Rox player Phil Imholte also shared an inspirational message. Plans are already underway for the 2nd Annual Faith in Action night. When believers work together, God is glorified!
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Passing on Lessons Learned in FCA
 | New FCA Rep Stephanie
Goetz with her husband Joe |
You could say I've grown up in FCA. My parents helped start FCA in Winona, and I participated in Jr. & Sr. High Huddles, and attended FCA sports and leadership camps where I met my husband," said new FCA staff member, Stephanie Goetz.
"FCA taught me so much about God, faith and standing up for what I believe. FCA also helped me to learn the difference between worshipping sports, and worshipping God through sports. FCA has had such an impact on my life, and I am so thankful for the skills I learned through FCA about furthering my relationship with Christ and sharing that relationship with others."
Stephanie is excited to share the lessons she's learned with athletes in the Owatonna area, and to equip them to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those they influence. Please join us in praying that God would use her mightily in advancing His Kingdom!
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"Whatever you have learned...put it into practice"
Philippians 4:9
Amy C. dedicated her life to Christ at FCA Tennis Camp, but it was at FCA Leadership Camp where she heard the call to put her budding leadership skills into practice. Hearing other athletes talk about campus huddles challenged her to bring FCA to her school in Northfield. She spoke to JD Bickle, SE MN FCA Area Director and host of the leadership camp she was attending. He put her in touch with football coach Travis Wiebe, who shared her interest in FCA. Amy was excited to share "after only 2 years, they were drawing more non-churched kids than churched!" Coach Wiebe added, "We also have an active FCA Coaches Ministry with 8 coaches & our athletic director regularly meeting for Bible study. FCA is a wonderful ministry, and I'm grateful to be a part of it!"
More on the impact of FCA Leadership Camp
More than 100 high school and college students gathered at Northwestern College for three days in August
to learn how to lead with a servant's heart and how to apply the strategies Jesus modeled in His ministry. Represented were 39 high schools and 8 colleges - plus an exchange student from Spain!
Here's what some athletes had to say...
"I want to start taking on more responsibility for those God has put in my life... this is my chance to shine for Him and be a loving leader for Christ in my school."
"I researched leadership camps in Minnesota and found that this camp combined Christ, sports and leadership! I actually don't have an FCA chapter at my school -- maybe God is calling me to get one started!"
"... I realized my priorities are all wrong and that I need to reevaluate where God stands in my life."
"... a great place for up-coming leaders to develop skills that they can use in their own FCA groups, as well as developing their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ."
"...the best camp I have ever attended... Coming together with other teens who want to love Jesus more and be leaders is just awesome!"
"It changed my life ... honestly!"
"I had so much fun and I learned so much about the gospel I never knew before... Thank you so much, FCA!"
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"Nothing Is Impossible With God" - Luke 1:37
 | Young leaders with a big vision welcomed
popular Christian singer, Britt Nicole (3rd from left)
to Marshall for a concert on September 23 |
Learning that Britt Nicole would be performing only two hours away from their town of Marshall, young ladies from the local FCA huddle took the initiative to invite her to make a performance stop in their town. Inspired by her positive, upbeat music and message, the girls wanted to share that message with their community.
"Britt is able to accommodate only
5% of the requests she receives to perform," said FCA rep, Robin Knudson. "It's exciting to see how God opened every single door. The girls raised $8000 in 8 days and we just kept taking steps of faith - with the girls leading the way!"
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FCA's Men's Integrity Hockey League
FCA's Integrity Hockey League is getting ready to kick off its second year of play. Last year more than 240 men participated. "It's a competitive level and the play is very clean - even the refs enjoy the atmosphere," says Todd Lohstreter, FCA Hockey Community Ministries. "The league is a great outreach for non-believers as our devotions are aimed at reaching people in different parts of their walk with the Lord - not overbearing or threatening, but encouraging and Biblical."
Men playing in 20+ teams across the metro area, meet for an hour of fellowship and Bible study before hockey each week. There are still a few spots open, as well as opportunities to sub for other players. For more information, visit www.fcaAdultHockey.com and click on the "Leagues" tab at the top or email Todd Lohstreter at tlohstreter@fca.org.
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How To Reach Us
Minnesota FCA Staff
Ron Backes, North Metro rbackes@fca.org
Cal Barr, Northeast MN cbarr@fca.orgJames 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/College Ministry jgardner@fca.org
Stephanie Goetz, Owatonna Area sgoetz@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, NW MN & 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 cwhitney@fca.org |
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