Leadership is influence.

We may never know exactly who we will influence, when that influence will happen, or how deeply it will shape someone’s life. For huddle coaches and athletes across Southwest Minnesota, that influence becomes intentional through The Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Southwest MN FCA recently held its annual Leadership Summit where we engage, equip, and empower coaches and athletes to lead their huddles well and, more importantly, to become disciples who make disciples.

The training begins with the framework of FCA: our vision, mission, core values, and ministry strategy, E3: Engage, Equip, Empower. Leaders learn that FCA is about much more than organizing a weekly gathering or planning a fun activity. It is about building authentic relationships that create opportunities to point others toward Jesus.

As Romans 12:6-10 reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” 

FCA challenges leaders to embrace that responsibility wherever God has placed them in their huddles, on their teams, in their classrooms, and throughout their communities.

Through a variety of FCA tools coaches and athletes learn how to engage others, equip them to grow in their faith, and empower them to lead. A major focus is Discovery Bible Study (DBS), where leaders practice slowing down, listening to Scripture, asking questions, and discussing what they hear and what God is saying.

Leaders also spend significant time learning how to share the Gospel. One simple tool FCA uses is The FOUR, a visual reminder that makes the Gospel easy to understand, remember, and share:

God Loves You.

Sin Separates You.

Jesus Rescues You.

Will You Trust Jesus?

These truths become more than training material. They become tools leaders can carry into everyday conversations with teammates, classmates, friends, and family.

At the heart of leadership training is a simple question: What does a disciple look like?

FCA teaches that discipleship is personal transformation and public multiplication. As coaches and athletes grow closer to Christ, they are challenged to help others do the same. Their leadership becomes an avenue for multiplication.

That is the heart of E3: Engage. Equip. Empower.

Healthy huddles thrive on relationships. Across Southwest Minnesota, FCA huddles are finding creative ways to build those relationships through activities, fundraising, prayer, Bible study, and shared experiences. Whether it’s coordinating a bus to travel to Fields of Faith, participating in the Southwest MN FCA volleyball tournament, hosting an annual event for their huddle, or simply gathering together to open God's Word, every activity affords an opportunity to connect people and create space for faith to grow.

And this year's leaders are ready.

For Micah T., a 7th grader at Marshall Middle School, huddle leadership offers him a chance to grow in his own faith while encouraging others to grow in theirs.

“I want to deepen my relationship with Christ and encourage the people around me to grow in their faith too.”

What excites him most is getting to know the other leaders, building new relationships, and growing together in faith. The Leadership Summit was full of tools that will help Micah lead his huddle well and build lasting relationships.

Photo of: Marshall Middle School Huddle Leaders

Cassondra B., a sophomore at Wabasso High School, wants her leadership to point people toward Jesus.

“I want people to see a little bit of Jesus through me. If I’m the only ‘Bible’ someone ever reads, I want my life to reflect Him.”

Cassondra would like to make prayer and Scripture a bigger part of her huddle while building genuine relationships and encouraging her peers to grow together in their faith. What excites her most is having a group of people she can lean on, study with, and grow alongside while sharing her faith with others.

Photo of: Lakeview Huddle Leaders

Annika K., a junior at Westbrook Walnut Grove, knows why she wants to lead.

“I want to spread the word of God to people that don’t have a relationship with Him, and I feel that FCA is a great way to do that.”

Annika is eager to bring energy and fun to her huddle through activities like an annual Nerf battle, volleyball tournaments, and their huddle’s annual kickball tournament. But behind the activities is a deeper desire: to help others lean into their faith and to create opportunities for people to encounter God's love.

Photo of: Worthington Middle/High School Leaders

Kael F., a senior at Marshall High School, sees his senior year as an opportunity to invest in others.

“I want to bring other people closer to God while also growing my own faith.”

Kael plans to use what he learned at the Leadership Summit to bring the MHS huddle closer together and encourage new leaders to step forward. As a senior, he recognizes that his influence carries a unique opportunity for exactly what he learned at training, discipleship.

Photo of: Marshall High School Huddle Leaders

Kaci T., a senior at Lac qui Parle Valley, sees FCA leadership as an opportunity to strengthen her own faith while embracing the responsibility of being a role model for others.

“FCA Leadership is a great way to bolden and grow your faith and hold yourself accountable to being a role model that people can find Jesus in.”

Kaci is excited about using her leadership role to help others engage with Scripture and better understand the Gospel. She believes FCA can create a space where students can explore and dissect the Gospel in a fun, meaningful way while growing in their faith together. Through leadership, Kaci hopes to live out her faith in a way that points others toward Jesus and encourages them to grow in their own relationship with Him.

These students demonstrate what Southwest MN FCA hopes to cultivate: leaders who understand that leadership is not about a title. It is about influence, responsibility, relationships, and a willingness to point others toward Christ.

They are learning how to lead a huddle while also learning how to lead a life that reflects Jesus.

And that is where the real impact begins.

Across Southwest Minnesota, FCA is equipping coaches and athletes to engage others, equip them in their faith, and empower them to become leaders themselves.

One huddle can influence an athlete.

One athlete can influence a team.

One team can influence a school.

One school can influence a community.

Disciples making disciples.

The new school year is here, and these leaders are ready to serve, encourage, and share the hope of Jesus.

Get connected with your local FCA huddle today. The next impact story could begin with you!

Upcoming Events:

• 9/13: Taste of Gratitude
• 9/16: Monthly Prayer Zoom Call @6:30am
• 10/7: Fields of Faith
• 10/21: Monthly Prayer Zoom Call @ 6:30am
• 11/18: Monthly Prayer Zoom Call @ 6:30am
• 11/20: SWMN FCA Volleyball Tournament (tentative)
• 12/16: Monthly Prayer Zoom Call @ 6:30am

"My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples." John 15:8

If you're not currently giving to Southwest MN FCA and would like

to be added to our team, please click the QR code above to donate!

Your support is greatly appreciated.

 ROBIN KNUDSON rknudson@fca.org

SW MN Area Director

WENDY GRAVEN  wgraven@fca.org

SW MN Administrative Assistant