What is FCA?

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives … one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest interdenominational, school-based, Christian sports ministry in America. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.

What can you tell me about the impact of FCA?

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is on the front lines doing battle for the lives of young people in our community. For the past 57 years, FCA has focused on instilling character and values in the lives of students across America. In 2011, records were set in almost every ministry area---with close to two million people reached through the FCA ministry. We saw more than 300,000 students involved in FCA on a record 7,916 campuses. FCA distributed an annual record of 131,400 bibles worldwide (since 2003, FCA has distributed 1,516,400 bibles—including eight different kinds). FCA conducted a record 351 camps in 39 states and 24 countries last summer with 52,275 in attendance—countless lives were transformed by outstanding competition and spiritual growth (since 2000, over 300,000 kids have attended an FCA Camp with over 75,000 commitments for Christ). In 2011, Fields of Faith had more than 160,000 students attend a record 475 fields across the nation---where the students shared testimonies, encouraged each other to read the Bible daily and come to faith in Jesus Christ. A record 7,034 coaches attended FCA Bible studies throughout the country and records were also set for many FCA on-line resources. FCA Online Ministry reached large audiences through WebFCA with 100,000 visiting an FCA-related website each month. FCA’s Facebook page drew 70,000 people and the Daily Impact Play sports e-devotional reached 50,000 subscribers. FCAResources.com provided over 3,000 free ministry tools, and FCA’s on-line proficiency has allowed FCA to partner with and equip sports ministry leaders in 80 countries. Here in Eastern Iowa, we also are setting records for growth in many areas, but the need is great to reach more young people and coaches for Christ!

Has FCA been recognized nationally?

Yes. FCA has been honored by two highly prestigious organizations: Charity Navigator has given FCA its top Four Star rating to FCA’s development efforts (for a fourth consecutive year) and Chronicle of Philanthropy has named FCA in its top 400 non-profits in the United States.

What is the vision and mission for FCA?

To see Eastern Iowa impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. Our goal is to present to athletes and coaches 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. The FCA Ministries encourage, equip and empower coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of sports to impact their world for Jesus Christ. The FCA Ministries are: Coaches Ministry, Campus Ministry, Camp Ministry & Community Ministry.

Why does FCA hold a banquet?

Banquets are a great way to cast the local vision of FCA, share the story, celebrate the work of FCA and encourage people to join the support team. The goal of the banquet is to emphasize the fact that everyone who cares about athletes and coaches can help through his or her involvement and investment. Our goal at each banquet is to continue to grow our “Home Team” (investors who give a minimum of $300/per year or $25/per month).

Why is your support now so important?

The Eastern Iowa FCA ministry was launched in June of 2004. Your support now is vital in establishing the ministry in this part of the state. For this year’s event, we also have a $30,000 Matching Gift Program (see brochure) and a theme “In The Zone” (Ephesians 3:20). Our Matching Gift Program will be used to plant new staff in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area in the next 12 months. Your support this year will help us hire new staff to expand the work of the ministry. We also have a great interest in FCA in our area, so the time is right to expand the impact!

How will my support directly impact FCA?

All funds raised go in support of the work of the local ministry including camp scholarships, free camps for younger kids, the development of school huddles throughout Eastern Iowa, coach’s ministry events, and for the hiring of new staff members.

Can you tell me some of the highlights that have happened recently?:

• Over $8,000 was dedicated last summer to impact the lives of young people at an FCA Sports Camp or Leadership Camp through our annual Camp Scholarship Fund. Over the past three years alone, we have allocated over $25,000 for camp scholarships to bless and encourage young people from our area to attend an FCA Sports Camp.
• Last year over 800 campers, coaches and volunteers took part in our community outreach event Power Camp with 11 different sports offered, directly impacting 550 kids from 20-plus communities (grades 3-8). Many partnerships have been forged with local churches, The ARC of East Central Iowa, Jane Boyd Community House & others.
• Over 300 kids (another “full house”) attended the FCA Sports Camp in Pella, Iowa with over eight different sports offered.
• Dan Dickel, a former University of Iowa and NFL football player and longtime high school coach, is our Coaches Ministry Coordinator and he continues to touch more lives each year through prayer support, bible studies, mentoring, staff visits and discipleship.
• This year’s FCA Golf Day at Elmcrest Country Club was our largest event in eight years with 20 foursomes and over $30,000 raised.
• We held a local Spouses & Coaches Appreciation Event in February 2011 with approximately 50 couples attending.
• A growing number of FCA Huddles are starting in schools throughout our area including new chapters at Iowa City West, Jefferson HS, Center Point-Urbana, Solon, Pekin, Iowa City High and others.
• Our 2011 Home Team Drive & Banquet (with special guest speaker Tom Osborne) was a great success with over 600 people in attendance.
• Our outstanding Leadership Board of Directors (now 13 members) have established some exciting new ministry goals for 2012-2013 and a list of 12 “Critical Objectives.”
• We are excited about our many local events including: See You At The Pole, Fields of Faith, training events, events for coaches, and much more!
• We continue to build bridges with local churches, schools, parents, community leaders and others interested in programs that positively impact the lives of young people....and we are experiencing rapid growth in every ministry area!
• Our goal in the coming years is to impact more coaches and athletes through the vehicle of FCA!

What schools have an FCA presence in Eastern Iowa?

We have a growing number of schools with an FCA Huddle including: Cedar Valley Christian; Center Point-Urbana; Coe College; Cornell College; Dike-New Hartford; Holmes Junior High School; Iowa City West High School; Iowa City High; Jefferson High School; Kennedy High School; Kirkwood Community College; Linn-Mar High School; Luther College; Marion High School; Mount Vernon/Lisbon High School; Mount Vernon Middle School; University of Northern Iowa; North Linn High School; Oelwein High School; Prairie Senior High School; Pekin High School; Solon High School; Union High School; Upper Iowa University; Washington Senior High School; Wartburg College; Waverly Shell-Rock High School.

We also have numerous expressions of interest from schools such as: Alburnett High School; Benton Community High School; Cedar Falls High School; Charles City High School; Cresco High School; Harding Middle School; Highland-Riverside High School; Independence High School; Iowa Wesleyan College; Isaac Newton School; McKinley Middle School; Nashua/Plainfield High School; New London High School; NU High School; Osage High School; Ottumwa High School; Postville High School; Prairie Middle School; Roosevelt Middle School; South Tama High School; Twin Cedars High School; Waterloo East; Waterloo West; West Delaware High School; West Liberty High School; Xavier High School; among several others.

Who oversees FCA in Eastern Iowa?

There is an established Board of Directors who oversees all aspects of the ministry. Carl Gonder is the Area Director and Randy McCright is the Chairman of the local Leadership Board. Dave Turnball is the Iowa FCA State Director and Tim Johnson is the FCA Midwest Regional Director.

Why should I support the work of FCA?

God uses your prayers and financial support to make this ministry happen. Our practice has been to avoid sending out numerous mailings to persons in the community requesting contributions. This is the major fundraiser for the year for Eastern Iowa FCA. If God lays it on your heart to be part of something significant that impacts the lives of many throughout Eastern Iowa, then we would be very thankful.

What is the next step?

Call the Eastern Iowa FCA office on (319) 365-1338 or consider being a Banquet Sponsor, Home Team member or a Table Host at the 2012 FCA Home Team Drive & Banquet.