The SWMN FCA Board started back in 2011 with just 8 board members. Based in the hometown of FCA's Area Rep, Robin Knudson, the board worked together to host potlucks, coaches banquets, and to organize concert fundraisers. As FCA's reach in Southwest MN extended, more board members were added to work on the ministry.

In 2023, Robin took on the role of Southwest MN FCA Area Director. With the addition of teammate and Administrative Assistant, Wendy Graven, and the continued growth of Southwest MN FCA, the board has changed in both structure and leadership style to accomodate a further reach of the Gospel.

In 2024, the Board split into several teams:

Finance Team:

We help vision-based ministry meet a budget-based goal that is conducive to Southwest MN FCA’s ministry vision.

We help refer new donors and businesses and cultivate donor relationships that serve the ministry of FCA in Southwest MN.

Event Team:

We help organize event planning and preparation including set-up, servicing of events, and clean-up for Southwest MN FCA.

We arrange decor and plan for food and drink as appropriate for each event.

Camp Team:

We help recruit and train volunteers to assist with Southwest MN FCA’s Jr. Sports Camp set-up, camper check-in or registration, and clean-up.

We plan, prepare, and recruit and train volunteers to assist with Dog Patch Olympic Games.

Prayer Team:

We pray for the ministry of Southwest MN FCA throughout the year.

We pray for each volunteer as they use their gifts and talents to serve within the ministry, for the campers and huddle participants, and for the FCA staff.

Each team is responsible for upholding and supporting FCA's mission and vision alongside Southwest MN FCA Staff.

Mission:

To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.

Vision:

To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

Every board member is responsible for guarding and guiding the ministry here in Southwest MN as they work to ensure the values of FCA (Integrity, Serving, Teamwork, and Excellence) are well represented at every ministry event.

The Southwest MN FCA Board also works to be excellent doers of the PRAY - SERVE - GIVE model outlined by FCA.

Bottom Row (pictured from left to right): Jill Schwarz, Mindi Schnaser, Robin Knudson, and Nancy Blanchard

Top Row (pictured from left to right): Julie Christensen, Kim Deines, Corey Prins, Wendy Graven, and Tristen Groff

Not Pictured: Jennifer Graven, Kristi Matzner, Roger Schroeder, Peter Thor, and Nadine Weedman

Members of the Southwest MN FCA Board attended the

Minnesota FCA Board Retreat in April 2025 where a

great deal was learned about board leadership and service.

Southwest MN FCA Board Member, Kim Deines, discusses her thoughts leading up to the Board Retreat and shares the insights she walked away with.

"I began serving on the Southwest MN FCA Board about 13 years ago when my oldest son served as a huddle leader at Marshall Middle School. We’ve seen the impact FCA has had on our now adult sons, our entire family, and numerous other families in this area. This past April, I had the opportunity to attend the Minnesota FCA Board Retreat. The Retreat was very timely as I was considering my own board resignation. I'm at the season of life where our three sons have gone through the Marshall FCA huddles, have graduated and left home, and are now married and starting to have children of their own. After 13 years of board service I was questioning if my time on the Southwest MN FCA Board should come to an end. What I found, and was so encouraged and re-invigorated by at the Retreat, is that there are so many volunteers throughout the state in my same season of life or later continuing to positively impact the ministry of FCA. As long as a passion “to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes” exists, my time and investment is still valuable. It’s such a blessing to gather with, plan, and pray for the ministry of FCA with the other faithful board members who share a common goal of helping student-athletes, coaches, and families foster a growing, lasting relationship with Jesus Christ."

We asked several of our board members to share why they

volunteer their time on the Southwest MN FCA Board...

"I choose to serve on the Southwest MN FCA board because I see the fruit that is produced in and through these athletes, coaches, huddle leaders, and board members. I love being involved in a ministry that I had the privilege of witnessing transform my own children’s faith lives. I love seeing the young campers at sports camp and it’s so encouraging to see the huddle leaders pour into these younger kids. I continue to serve because I continue to see the fruit produced!"

Kristi Matzner

"The ministry of FCA continues to make an impression on me. From the young student-athlete community coming together for Fields of Faith to athletes and coaches gathering at a funeral in support of a teammate who lost a family member, these athletes and coaches are not just celebrating sport milestones, they walking through life with their teammates. It's also great to see the groups of youth (now adults) that were faith-filled friends in high school now gathering for celebrations of marriage and family."

Roger Schroeder

"I serve on the Southwest MN FCA board because of the impact it has made not just on my own family, but on many other athletes, coaches, and families. To lead athletes, coaches, and their families into a relationship with Jesus is eternal work! As followers of Jesus we are called to go and make disciples in Jesus' name. I will keep serving the ministry of FCA so many others can have the hope of heaven and eternal life with Jesus."

Mindi Schnaser

"I choose to serve on the Southwest MN FCA board because I feel so passionate about FCA's mission! The Lord used FCA to impact and change my whole family. 

What a gift it is to share the love of Jesus with others! As a board member I get to work on this ministry, serve in this ministry, and hear and see the impact this ministry is having in our communities."

Jill Schwarz

"I've seen the power of God through FCA in my own children and their fellowship with others. I'm amazed by how this community of believers comes together to engage athletes and coaches in a realtionship with Jesus, all through the common ground of sport. God does so much work when we let Him lead us."

Peter Thor

"It truly amazes me to see the respect athletes involved in FCA have amongst their peers. It appears, from an outside perspective, that student huddle leaders show much kindness to fellow students and teammates. I love seeing athletes so enthusiastic about Jesus and the passion the Southwest MN FCA Board has to see it continue."

Nancy Blanchard

"It is a blessing to serve on the Southwest MN FCA Board. Together, and under Robin's leadership, we can work to bring the Gospel outside the church walls and into schools and gyms all over Southwest MN."

Jullie Christensen

"I think the main impact each board member has is that we identify as

disciples of Jesus. When student-athletes, coaches, and parents see us in this role, I hope it stirs within themselves a question of how they too can use

their gift of discipleship to make Jesus known."

Roger Schroeder

Thank you to each of Southwest MN FCA's board members, current and past. You impact the growth of this ministry and, more importantly,

the reach of the Gospel!

"We all, with unveiled faces, are looking

as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory;

this is from the Lord who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:18

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