Region Roundup | October

Hey teammates!

The leaves are turning colors finally and beginning to canvas the ground. The temperature is dropping and you can feel the crispness in the air. This means fall is arriving and apple orchards are filling up, pumpkins are adorning doorsteps, and the local coffee shops are brewing their seasonal pumpkin spice lattes. With every new season comes new opportunities, new mercies, and new challenges.

This new fiscal year of ministry I would like to invite you into a journey of studying and practicing the spiritual disciplines. I will be reading again through Richard Foster’s classic book, “Celebration of Discipline” and Donald Whitney’s work on the cultivation of the spiritual disciplines, “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.” It all hinges on this one verse in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7, NASB)

The first challenge I want to offer all of those serving in the SEC is to “apply your heart to discipline” (Proverbs 23:12) through Bible intake. More specifically to listen, read, memorize, meditate, and study the Word. Look at the graphic below by Lifeway research on how often church goers read the Bible. We wouldn’t go several days every week without eating and feeding the body. Why would we be willing to go several days without feeding the soul?

In the month of October commit to reading through a plan and journaling through the Scriptures. I have used the S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) model for meditating and study the Scripture. I pick a reading plan and each day I prayerfully discern what phrase or scripture stood out to me that I want to learn more and journal through the passage using the S.O.A.P. acronym. Essentially bathing myself in God’s Word and cleaning up my life and heart.

So, what is your next step? Choose a reading plan or stay on the one you’re doing right now and begin soap journaling. Get in God’s gym and “train yourself for Godliness.” Share your insights with an accountability partner. Teach an athlete or coach your discipling to use the method for growing in their knowledge of the Word. Make this a regular practice and a spiritual discipline, so that your life will bear much fruit!

The Power of Us,

Robert

SEC Regional VP

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

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

SEC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The SEC Leadership Summit took place in the great state of Alabama, hosted by the Metropolitan Church in Birmingham and Pastor’s Jason & Jennifer Browning, who serve on the Regional Board.

The Leadership Summit began with a gathering of our Caleb Project cohort and some top golf. This historic moment witnessed the commissioning of each member and the launching of something special.

Thirty-five of the top leaders within the SEC dove into the scriptures with our EVRP, Jason Bernick and were challenged to be intentional in both loving and discipling staff. Strategies for donor engagement were offered (A3 Affinity, Access, Ability) and clear instructions on how to grow the heart and the volunteer engagement. We received National Championship challenge rings to encourage our pray, give, and go efforts in East Africa.

SEC BOARD MEMBER

HIGHLIGHT

Praise the Lord with us!

DR. CHAD ESLINGER

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga

Chad is a pediatric dentist with Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga. Growing up in Cleveland, Chad attended Bradley Central High School where he wrestled for the Bears. He then attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and completed a 2 year residency at UT in pediatric

dentistry. He has served as the president of both the Tennessee Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Chattanooga Area Dental Society. He also serves on several committees for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Tennessee Dental Association. He also serves on several other local boards including the Cleveland Community Foundation. Along with his wife Joy, they have been long time supporters of FCA in both the Ocoee and Chattanooga region. They have four children: Maggie and Reed who attend the University of Tennessee and Seth and Eli who attend the McCallie School. They currently attend First Baptist Church Cleveland. Chad enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, skiing and Vols athletics.

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.

Check out the Regional Monthly Support Call options with John Heater below to help you and your team grow in board and donor advancement.

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.

INTERNATIONAL ADVANCEMENT TEAM RETREAT:

"We spent the last 3 days gathered as a team to fellowship, pray, and brainstorm how we can better serve our region and engage our local areas in International Advancement. Robert joined for part of it to pour into us and encourage us. Our time together was fruitful and fun, and we know God will use it to make us better and mobilize more workers to make disciples of all nations!"

EAST AFRICA FCA PLAYBOOK

As we are in the beginning of the ministry and fiscal year, don't forget about the Playbook! Here is the digital link. Please let us know how we can serve you in mobilizing your area to look to the nations!

Download Playbook

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.

VIP FOLLOW UP:

Everything you need is in the Southeast Central Region Teams Channel → SEC VIP Channel, including:

Step-by-step resources
Graphics
Recorded trainings
Support Center videos and knowledge articles
VIP updates and announcements under the Posts tab

Please check the SEC VIP resources before submitting a Support Center ticket

SEC VIP Channel

Join weekly to ask Jami any questions, troubleshoot, and learn from others across the SEC.

VIP Help Sessions

Check out the links below to view the E3 Landing Page and the SEC E3 Teams page with all training materials including: slide deck, leader guides, and other helpful tools!

E3 Landing Page

SEC E3

[THE] Huddle for Women

ESTES PARK, COLORADO // October 18-21

[THE] Huddle for Women: Live Experience response from the SEC has been incredible. My prayer was for God to double last year's number (5), but He exceeded those expectations. Currently, 22 people from the SEC are registered. I can't wait to see so many SEC ladies in Estes Park in October!

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.

CLUB SCHOOL

November 10 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm CST

Register for these trainings on FCA University. These are mandatory before any league or club can begin. Registration must be completed before attending.

TALENT ADVANCEMENT

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

Participants are wanted for the Playmakers Academy. If you're interested, contact your direct supervisor. Each year, two to three participants will be selected from each state. Begins in January. Building the bench and developing future leaders for FCA.

SPORT & CULTURE TRAINING COMING SOON

All staff must complete training within the first year of hire. Contact your state directors for upcoming training dates.

We are looking for a high impact leader who is called to SEIZE a life of significance, SHARE the love of Christ and SERVE through the lens of sports.

The Regional Director of Talent Advancement plays a vital role in fulfilling FCA’s vision by providing direction in recruiting, hiring, training and development. This position is responsible for equipping regional staff with the competency to build strong staff and volunteer teams, ensuring alignment with FCA’s ministry strategy and driving the advancement of its mission. The Regional Director exemplifies FCA’s core values—Integrity, Serving, Teamwork, and Excellence—while fostering unity and organizational alignment across the region.

Contact Robert Green with questions