Region Roundup | August (UPDATED NUMBERS)

Hey teammates!

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42

The SEC Regional Board and SEC Lead team came together over a few days to fellowship, study, retreat, plan, learn, worship, and pray over the ministry of FCA to nearly 250,000 athletes and coaches across the region.

Board members took on their advancement lane assignments and committed to offer their time, talent, and treasures to our regional and state director’s. Our ERVP, Jason Bernick leaned in with the scriptures and gave us a stirring message from the book of Revelations.

We brought in Leader Labs CEO, Fred Garmon, to teach us how to help young leaders take on a vision for long term growth; how to help midlife leaders get a renewed focus and a plan for intentional development; and how to help senior leaders re-engage their ministry vision with a goal of legacy contribution.

Oh, and we also played some pickleball, golfed, swam, and grilled some amazing steaks. We watched Brian Runyan laugh hysterically playing games and just talked and dreamed about the possibilities of future ministry with FCA around the golden lit fires. We came out having a plan that we believe is inspired by our time with the Lord and each other.

The Power of Us,

Robert

SEC Regional VP

SEC SUMMER MINISTRY

It's been an incredible summer of ministry across the Southeast Central Region, to GOD be the glory! We've had a variety of camps, internships, tournaments and more. As you check out the info, testimonies, and photos below, praise GOD with us for what He has done and pray that these campers, athletes, and student leaders will boldly live out a fire for Christ that is evident this school year in their locker rooms, on their campuses, and in their communities!

INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHT

NORTHEAST AL FCA | Ken Burnett

The Northeast Alabama FCA internship process begins with an interest meeting in February, followed by an extensive interview process. Interns kick off the summer with a week-and-a-half long Spiritual Bootcamp consisting of a Bible Class, Dynamic Communication Workshop, and learning how to share their faith.

Throughout the summer, interns help lead four Sports Camps across Northeast Alabama for children ages 7–13. This summer, we saw more than 200 campers make professions of faith in Christ. Midway through the internship, the team travels to St. Simons Island for Student Leadership Advance; a time to rest, refocus, and grow deeper in their faith together. The summer concludes with Middle School and High School Power Leadership Conferences, where students from surrounding schools are engaged, equipped, and empowered to take the Gospel back to their schools and communities.

INTERN TESTIMONY:

“I grew up knowing and being around FCA, but I finally decided to go through the internship process after my sophomore year of college. From volunteering the previous year, I was able to see the friendships and family that was formed between all the interns and staff. I knew I wanted to be a part of that, and joining that family has been a huge blessing in my life. Being surrounded by fellow believers daily that will hold me accountable and push me to grow in my walk with the Lord has been truly life changing for me. I have been challenged in ways that I have never been challenged before in my faith, but the growth I have seen from it is unbelievable. If I could go back to my high school self, I would have started interning with FCA a long time ago! The best way I know how to describe this internship is a place you will leave feeling more challenged than ever, but never dread going back to the next day. It’s an environment that fills your cup till it’s overflowing, and then some more! I have learned so many lessons and skills that will help me be better there, because I was here!”

Hallie Wheeler | UNA Sophomore, Accounting

ALL DIRECTORS WORK BLOCK

OCTOBER 8TH | 9:00AM - 11:00AM CST

All directors, join us on Teams through the link below for a work block

Teams Link

SEC BOARD MEMBER

HIGHLIGHT

Praise the Lord with us!

STEVEN K. THOMPSON

Small Business Owner | Cleveland TN

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside so many great men and women at FCA! I have approximately 20 years’ experience in banking and finance, with a specialized focus on commercial real estate lending. In addition to that, I am a part-owner in several small businesses in Cleveland, TN, and have been active in real estate investment and development. My faith and my family

are the most important parts of my life. I’m married to Arhmin Thompson, and together we are raising four wonderful children, Emory, Truett, Willa, and Elan. I very much enjoy watching my kids do the things they love and are passionate about. I am a native of Florida and a competitor at heart. I grew up playing multiple sports and have always had fun competing and trying to get better. The great thing about competition and sports is there are many life lessons learned along the way. My family and I attend First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN. We are active and serve in various ministries. I enjoy serving as a camp counselor at Camp Cherokee every summer. I’ve had the opportunity to go on a couple life changing mission trips to Egypt. I look forward to forging new relationships and the journey ahead!

WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR

2026 CALEB PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

ALABAMA:

Dennis Hayford | Southern AL, MAD

Scott Tarver | North, NW AL, MAD

MISSISSIPPI:

John Engstrom | NW MS, MAD

TENNESSEE:

Jay Fowler, Chattanooga TN, MAD

Steve Llewellyn | Maryville College, Collegiate Director

Marty Blakely | Lakeway, TN Metro Director

KENTUCKY:

Eric Grogran | West KY, MAD

ADVANCEMENT

EVENTS, UPDATES, & MINISTRY WINS

BOARD & DONOR ADVANCEMENT

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: JOHN HEATER

LANE FOCUS: To support staff in identifying, engaging, and stewarding donors and board members through coaching, resources, and aligned advancement strategy that strengthens and sustains ministry.

MEET YOUR DONORS WHERE THEY ARE:

So what does it mean to “Meet your donors where they are? 93% of US residents use social media daily. So if you are not using social media to engage your donors simply put you are not meeting them where they are.

Donor Resource:

INTERNATIONAL ADVANCEMENT

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: SWAYZE WATERS

LANE FOCUS: To support staff in living out FCA’s Pray, Give, Go strategy by providing training, clarity, and alignment with our global ministry partners and international mission priorities.

EAST AFRICA MINISTRY STORY:

One Brick at a Time: Building Christ's Church among the Pygmies in the Sanza Pygmy Refugee Camp, where openly following Christ can bring severe persecution, a new church is beginning one brick at a time. After sharing his vision for a permanent place of worship, Coach Ebengo and members of the community produced nearly 2,500 bricks in a single weekend, taking the first step toward building a church for future generations. Following the loss of one leader and the forced escape of another because of their faith, Coach Ebengo has courageously stepped into leadership, continuing to share the Gospel despite significant risks. Every brick being made is more than a building material—it is a testimony to God's faithfulness and the growing hope of Christ among an unreached people. Please pray for Coach Ebengo and his ministry among the Pygmies!

PLAYBOOK UPDATE:

Playbooks are finished and shipped and will be distributed by state! We are so excited for you to get your hands on this resource and pray it will be a practical help to you in engaging your local area.

MINISTRY ADVANCEMENT

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: JAMI SIKES

LANE FOCUS: To support staff by providing tools, systems, and clarity to strengthen “To and Through the Coach” ministry and multiply effective E3 environments for coaches and athletes.

E3 CHECK-INS

We are almost to the finish line, and it has been an exciting year! As we wrap up this ministry year, please use the final Q4 E3 Map to be completed by all field staff. (August 1-14th)

Please take time to complete your Q4 E3 Map and reflect on the entire year as you answer the questions. All templates for each quarter are on the staff website. If you are missing any map, complete and send the map with your Q4 map to Minda Seagraves who has worked to upload each map into the respective state folder. All information is available on the website (password: fcasec) It is important that we have all these maps to accurately assess the data we would like to obtain from collecting maps as a region for this year.

*Please use the Discipleship Filter as you reflect on the E3 journey. This tool will become more frequent in the coming months.

Q4 - E3 Map

Check In Questions + Discipleship Filter

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VIP UPDATE

TeamNet Overview of VIP Reports

As these new tools are released, it is crucial that every staff member takes full advantage of the training resources and support materials that have been provided. The Volunteer Impact Portal updates are an important part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening data quality, improving visibility into ministry impact and equipping staff with meaningful insights. Like any new process or system, success comes through consistent learning, engagement and application. As always, we invite you to visit the VIP Hub on TeamNet for links to all of the Knowledge Articles and Training assets.

Jeff Miller, Executive Vice President of Talent Advancement

VIP 2.0 Links

VIP Report Overview

VIP Hub

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[THE] Huddle for Women

Live registration is now open!!!

ESTES PARK, COLORADO // October 18-21

[THE] Huddle: for women is designed to engage, equip, and empower women in faith and sports. This experience at Estes Park Center (YMCA of the Rockies) will give FCA female staff, and women called to lead, space to sharpen ministry skills, fellowship, worship, rest, encounter God, and understand how to utilize [THE] Huddle: for women resources.

Space is limited, so grab your spot. Please reach out to Jami Sikes if you have any questions.

Promo Video

SPORT ADVANCEMENT

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: KIEL HIGGINBOTHAM

LANE FOCUS: To support staff by casting vision, providing training, and ensuring clarity around processes and resources that help launch and strengthen ministry across all sport environments.

FCA LACROSSE SOUTH | FCA CLUB:

“What an incredible summer God gave us through FCA Lacrosse Alabama and FCA Southeast! We fielded five boys teams, two girls teams, and one FCA Southeast National Team, competing against programs from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Florida, Tennessee, and Maryland. Throughout the summer, we held nine team huddles, celebrated tournament championships, prayed with many of the teams we competed against, and watched players continue their recruiting journeys. Our FCA Camp in Pennsylvania welcomed 194 athletes and was truly a highlight of the summer.

Club sports have become an incredible ministry opportunity, and I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand God do what only He can do. The greatest victories this summer weren't the championships—they were watching God move in the lives of players and families. Many made decisions to follow Christ, and countless others took meaningful steps forward in their faith. We are grateful for all He has done and give Him all the glory!“

Todd Polhemus | FCA Lacrosse South | Alabama

TALENT ADVANCEMENT

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: MINDA SEAGRAVES

LANE FOCUS: To support staff by providing guidance and tools for recruiting, hiring, training, and developing healthy, effective staff and volunteer teams.

KEY REMINDERS

Please complete your MMGP if you haven't already. All MMGP must be approved and submitted by August 31st!

MMGP Timeline:

· May 25 – 29 Gather materials and click on the My Ministry Game Plan / Start Now!

· June 01 – 05 Complete Session #1 Lead Self

· June 08 – 12 Complete Session #2 Ministry Advancement and #3 Talent Advancement

· June 15 – 19 Complete Session #4 Board Advancement and #5 Donor Advancement

(Area Rep’s don’t do ministry planning for #4)

· June 22 – 26 Complete #6 International Advancement EVERYONE Review and Submit.

· Jn 29 – Jy 10 Meet with supervisor to review & refine ministry planning together.

· July 13 – 17 Submit MMGP for approval

· July 27 - 31 Complete and submit online Performance Evaluations.

· Aug 3 - 7 Complete and submit all budgets

· Aug 10 – 14 Q4 Coach Up Evals and approve MMGP & Budgets

· August 31 EVERYTHING must be approved & submitted (No Exceptions)

Reminder that merit increase for the start of the new ministry year must be initiated in the annual review. Increases over and beyond that will not be implemented until the following month so that finance has time to complete the annual merit increases.

SPORT & CULTURE REMINDER

The in-person version of Sport & Culture training will begin Wednesday, September 7th and meet weekly on Wednesdays from 9:00am-10:00am EST ending on October 7th.

Anyone that needs to complete this should email Minda Seagraves (mseagraves@fca.org) to be added to the course