Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was incorporated in 1954, after founder Don McClanen took his idea to Branch Rickey, baseball hall of famer who signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. McClanen's idea gained much popularity. The first FCA National Camp was hosted in 1956.
According to FCA's website, the vision of the organization is "to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes." Their mission statement is "to present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church."
2016 marks the 62nd year of this organization. Today, the ministry has four different focuses: coaches, campuses, camps, and community. FCA works through coaches, on campuses, in camps, and throughout communities. In the last 62 years, FCA has grown remarkably. The number of campuses that FCA is on, the number of members involved, the number of summer camps, and the number of summer camp attendees are all at an all-time high.
From the growth of the organization, imagine the impact that it is having on the athletes and coaches involved. Virginia Tech's chapter of FCA has grown substantially in the past few years. The athletes that choose to take part in the program have nothing but positive things to say about their experience in FCA.
"FCA has been awesome because it's given me other players on the team that follow Jesus and have a heart to serve other people. It can be tough if you think you're the only Christian on the team or the only one that love God," said Sam Rogers, a leader in Virginia Tech's FCA and a full back on the school's football team. "It's nice to just be around a community like that."
"We've had several of our athletes that we know FCA has made a huge difference, by transforming their lives completely," said Dave Gittings, campus ministry director and football chaplain at Virginia Tech. "We've had many of our athletes that have come through where they were going down a dark road and because of our ministry of serving them and helping them to understand what God created them to be, they've been able to divert that path."
"God is moving in some special ways in the lives of our coaches and athletes," said Gittings, who has been at Virginia Tech since 2013 and has helped transform the chapter into the resource that it is today. Athletes and coaches can turn to him or any of the FCA staff for advice or encouragement anytime they need it.
"Dave is a great mentor," said Travon McMillian, FCA member and running back for the Virginia Tech football team. "He teaches us a lot about the bible and scripture, so it's definitely impacted my life in a positive way."
FCA at Virginia Tech is a great example of what the ministry does all over the country and the world. Looking deeper into one campus can show how the other 14,000+ campuses may operate their FCA chapter.
Founder Don McClanen, who passed away earlier this year, can rest easy knowing what he started 62 years ago is still growing and impacting the lives of thousands.
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