It’s often said students should get involved with their school, doing so can provide support and create community, but finding a real connection on campus is rare. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) combines two interests: athletics and Christianity, presenting opportunities to share faith and make friends.
The Bible encourages Christians to share their beliefs and be open about their faith. Athletes interested in getting involved can visit FCA to find a place to surround themselves with other Christians. FCA meets at lunch on Thursdays in the MPR and provides snacks and a message by a guest speaker from a local church.
“It’s important for [students] to be leaders on campus, and be seen, and to not hide their faith,” FCA advisor Josie Long said. “My dad was [the] director [of FCA] and when I found out we had [FCA] here I wanted to be involved.”
Similarly, FCA leader Jack Folkrod (‘25) felt a calling to lead on campus and believes that a strong religious base is beneficial for everyone, athlete or not.
“We are here to spread the light of Jesus on campus,” Folkrod said.
Public schools in the United States avoid religion in education and often distance themselves from the gospel to avoid sharing ideas that aren’t unanimously shared. However, FCA believes that through sharing their beliefs many people can be educated and benefit from the message if they have an open mind.
“A lot of people on campus know that I’m a Christian and I don’t hide that,” FCA President Lauren Eckert (‘25) said.
Eckert believes FCA is meeting that goal as attendance has dramatically increased since she was a freshman. Before, 20-30 attendees could fit in a classroom whereas now over 100 attendees squeezed into the MPR for the first meeting of this year.
“We meet people who are unreached by the message of God,” Long said. “You don’t have to be Christian, and you don’t have to be an athlete [to join FCA or attend a meeting],” furthering the message of unity the leaders share.
Involvement in FCA can create lasting memories beyond just eating pizza during lunch on Thursdays. Long recalls memories of competing in FCA activities as a student and credits those experiences with inspiring her to get involved with the fellowship as an adult.
“When I was in high school we won what’s called the Dogpatch Olympics, like a decathlon,” Long said.
Ultimately, FCA is a club that welcomes new people to learn about Christianity with their peers and can lead to lasting memories.
