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Hey teammates!
Cultivating a heart of prayer.
Prayer is essential in the process of spiritual formation. Prayer will be the most difficult habit to form for the ministry leader. Why? Because the enemy would rather have you busy doing things for God rather than spending time with God.
Prayer is the tip of the spear that thrusts through the enemies defenses.
Prayer breaks down barricades of pride and self sufficiency.
Through prayer, we express our dependence on God and seek His guidance and strength. Prayer aligns the minister’s heart with God's purposes and invites His transformative work.
So be diligent in cultivating a heart for prayer through worship. Cultivate a prayerful heart by finding a purpose, a place, a passion, and an unwavering persistence.
Pray, pray, and pray again!
Your Teammate in Christ,
Robert Green
SEC Regional VP
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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
GREATER LOUISVILLE FCA
"A few months ago, I met Alyssa, a college soccer player living with constant pain after a serious arm injury. Surgery left her with a long scar, plates, and screws, and she still couldn’t use her arm without pain. As she shared her story, I felt prompted to pray for her arm. Something well outside my comfort zone, especially in a busy coffee shop. She agreed. I prayed once, but nothing changed. Remembering Mark 8, where Jesus prays twice, I asked if I could pray again. After the second prayer, she began to cry. For the first time since her injury, the pain was completely gone. Since then, she’s shared her story with others, and it’s filled people with wonder and amazement. For me, it’s been a reminder to trust God and step out in obedience, even when it feels uncomfortable. Alyssa and I meet weekly for Bible study, and recently she shared her testimony at a local Elementary FCA huddle. It’s been incredible to watch her grow and share the love of Jesus with those around her. God is the same yesterday today and forever!"
Beth Massey | Greater Louisville FCA Area Rep
Alyssa is back left of the huddle below:
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SEC BOARD MEMBER
HIGHLIGHT
Praise the Lord with us!
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MICHAEL & SARAH VENABLE
State Farm Insurance
Michael and Sarah live on a small farm in Kentucky with their five children, ranging from ages 14 to 25. Michael is a State Farm insurance agent & financial advisor. He has been serving clients for over 26 years - helping individuals, families, and business owners with a range of insurance and financial needs.
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Michael has also served as an Elder at New Work Fellowship Church in Hopkinsville, KY for several years. Michael spends his free time reading, racing Porsches, playing on the farm, traveling, & perfecting his grilling techniques. He has traveled to over 20 countries, including mission trips to Ethiopia, where he adopted 2 of his sons. Sarah is a former high school athlete in basketball, soccer, track & field, tennis & cross country and a former “FCA Athlete of the Year” from her high school in Cleveland, TN. She played one year of soccer at the collegiate level & then transferred to the University of Tennessee where she was part of the Women’s Rowing Team. Sarah received a Bachelor’s Degree in History at the University of Tennessee & then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in School Counseling at Lee University. Sarah enjoys good food, running, traveling, leading bible studies at her church & has recently taken on the job of coaching middle school girls basketball.
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ADVANCEMENT
EVENTS, UPDATES, & MINISTRY WINS
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SEC VIRTUAL DIRECTOR'S SUMMIT
Teams | May 5 - 6 | 10:00am - 3:00pm EST.
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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.
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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 UPDATE:
“We are currently meeting with our African partners and working on a resource that we will share with the region at the Director’s Summit. This clear, compelling, comprehensive resource will cover God’s heart for the nations, FCA International, East Africa, and information about our partners and how we can best serve them in 2026/27. Pray for us as we finalize this and get ready to share!”
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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.
KEY UPDATES WITH VIP
Two weeks ago, you received an email from Jeff Miller outlining VIP improvements launching May 11. These are quick wins designed to help volunteers move through VIP ahead of camp season.
What are we doing in the meantime? ----> Locking arms to help CAMP STAFF.
SEC TEAM GOAL: Move all volunteers currently at First Staff Review into Background Check status.
Once approved, Camp Staff can then confirm them into roles.
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VIP STATUS BY STATE
Click your state below to view the current VIP status
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SAVE THE DATE: TH4W Live Experience, Oct 19-21 in Estes Park, Colorado.
The Living Room is May 14th | Female FCA Staff | Zoom
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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 SPORT UPCOMING CALLS:
REGIONAL FCA SPORTS CALL
Monday, May 4th | 1:00-2:00pm EST
Email Bailey Jones (baileyjones@fca.org) for the calendar invite
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CLUB DIRECTORS GATHERING CALL
Friday, May 8th | 1:00 PM EST
All Club Directors and Coaches are welcome!
FOCUS: Communicating the Vision for FCA Clubs
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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 UPDATES
Sport & Culture Staff Training Reminders:
Full-Time Staff:
Complete online course & participate in huddle within their first year on staff, or before the end of this fiscal year (current staff).
Part-Time Staff:
Complete the online course. Optional: participate in a huddle within their first year on staff, or before the end of this fiscal year (current staff).
Associates:
Complete the online course at minimum by accessing the course on FCAU.
W2 Coaches:
Not currently required. They will be required to complete the online course starting September 1, 2026.
Any staff who is full-time and still has not completed Sport and Culture huddle training online in a group needs to contact Minda directly so you can be put on the list for the fall training session.
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NEW ADMIN TRAINING WORKSHOP DATE ADDED:
Join us for a virtual half-day workshop on May 14th to complete your Admin Training journey! Click the button below to learn more and get registered.
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SEC RESOURCES
Head to the website below to check out the resources available!
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