NO. 999 - THE MISSION OF F.C.A.!
No. 999
Jim Davidson -- NEWSPAPER COLUMN
THE MISSION OF F.C.A.!
There is a wonderful organization based in Kansas City, Mo., by the name of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This is an organization made up of Christian coaches, teachers and students from all across the nation. The mission statement of FCA is “to present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence with the challenge and adventure of following the Lord Jesus Christ through the fellowship of the church.” A coach or teacher sponsors a school “Huddle” and they are all led by students.
Six times each year, the parent organization publishes the FCA Magazine under the direction of FCA President/CEO Les Steckel and Editor Clay Meyer. This magazine contains some terrific stories about well-known athletes whose lives have been impacted through the ministry of FCA. One of these stories features San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is helping to establish a new reality of hope and faith in his hometown of Pahokee, Fla. As it relates to each of us, as Christians, he asks two important questions, “How many lives did we change? How many people did we influence?”
Our Central Arkansas FCA director, Chuck Beale, sent me some information about our local level programs that will give you a good feel for what this organization is all about. There are a total of 100 high schools, middle schools and eight colleges in our area. They have 55 certified huddles that meet on a regular basis. They provide student study Bibles to all the huddles to be used for the meetings. Bibles are donated by patrons all over the area.
It was my good fortune to become familiar with this great organization because of an annual event called the “Bob Courtway FCA Memorial Breakfast.” This event, held at Hendrix College, is attended by 300 to 400 people and is sponsored by the FCA Adult Board. They sell tables of tickets to provide scholarships and a donation to the Central Arkansas FCA. The local FCA students assist in setting up and taking down the tables and make up a sizable portion of the audience. What a great time of food and fellowship as you greet people from all across the community who support this ministry!
I have been able to attend for the past several years, but the breakfast goes back almost 20 years. I was privileged to know the late Bob Courtway. The highlight of the breakfast is the featured speaker, always a well-known Christian athlete or someone with a direct tie to sports in our state. The list of previous speakers is really a Who’s Who of former athletes in our state. Should you read my column in some other state of part of the country, you may recognize at least some of the names: Keith Jackson, Don Kessinger, Paul Eels, Marvin Delph, Lawson Pilgrim, Coach Ken Hatfield and Frank Broyles, plus many others.
This past year, Bobby Tiner, former outstanding quarterback for Arkansas State Teachers College, (now the University of Central Arkansas) was our speaker. He closed his remarks with the following poem that touched all of us: It’s titled simply “Example.”
“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me, than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil, and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear. And best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds. For to see good put in action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it, if you’ll let me see it done. I can see your hands in action, but your tongue too swift may run. The lectures you deliver may be very good and true, but I had rather get my lessons by observing what you do. For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give, but there is no misunderstanding, how you act and how you live.”
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(Editor’s Note: THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY – Begin your day on a positive note – 365 days for $12. This will benefit the Bookcase for Every Child project. Go to www.apositivemomentwithjim.com to subscribe.)
