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Greetings!
I'm not trying to butter anyone up, but the individuals who receive these Ministry Updates are pretty remarkable. They are hard working, talented, and successful. The majority are faithfully following Jesus, trying to make disciples, have some background or interest in sports, and appreciate the tremendous opportunity FCA has to see the world impacted by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. In a lot of ways, many reading this would be fantastic FCA staff if the Lord called them into vocational ministry. Having said that, lets pretend for a moment that He did that - the Lord made it clear that you were called into missions. How would you feel about leaving your current career, raising your ministry support from scratch, and entering full-time ministry through FCA?
December 1 will mark my twentieth year on staff and eighteenth year of serving full time with FCA. This is a fun praise to share, and one that I don't feel old enough to celebrate. Even though it was long ago, I can remember how it felt as I wrestled with my calling. I was excited, but I was also afraid. I was on a clear career tract that I had invested in significantly. I was good at my job, was experiencing success, enjoyed what I was doing, and was having a ministry impact as well. And, my path felt secure financially. I had to consider giving all of that up to say yes to full-time missions, including raising the support necessary to meet the financial needs of my family and ministry. Fear is a real thing with the power to derail an enthusiastic yes. Can you relate to that, if you were asked to do the same thing?
There's a much longer story here, which I'm happy to share with anyone who asks. Why do I bring it up here? First, to celebrate God's faithfulness, patience, and goodness (among so many other things) throughout my staff tenure, especially eighteen years ago when I moved to full time - kicking and screaming as I dealt with fear and doubts. Secondly, to celebrate and thank so many friends, family, and complete strangers (at least initially) who have faithfully partnered with the Lord in supporting our ministry. We said yes together, and the Lord has been so good in blessing our work. Lastly, to share about a new FCA staff opportunity I have been recruited for. As the Lord calls additional FCA staff from various career paths around the country, I have been given the privilege of helping remove one of the greatest barriers to people saying yes to full-time missionary work... the fear of support raising. I'll share more on that below.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and the year-end giving season; I once again pass along a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has partnered with us financially - this year and over the past 20 years. Your investment has led to a good return, and I am so grateful for your support. As we look to 2026, I invite you to continue to walk with us, allowing me to continue to say yes. Together, we'll equip and encourage current and future missionaries who will multiply our efforts. And lastly, if you're wrestling with a calling that seems a bit crazy, please reach out. I would love to hear what the Lord is doing in your life and pray for you. For God's Glory!
| | Northland Talent Advancement | |
Northland Staff Update: 112 Current Staff | 15 Prospective
| | Please pray for the staff above, as well as their supervisors. May they feel equipped and confident for their role, and may God provide the resources necessary for them to minister with freedom. May God's favor be upon them as they Engage, Equip, and Empower coaches and athletes to make disciples of Jesus! | | |
Bootcamp: Overcoming Barriers to Missions
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For the past 12-13 years, FCA has partnered with Via Generosity (formerly Support Raising Solutions) to help equip our staff for the support raising part of their role. While this training is open to all staff as needed or desired, it is a required part of our hiring process for field staff who raise their own support. Once applicants have completed a thorough process to determine their calling to FCA, they become "Prospective Staff." At this stage of the hiring process, they are given a Letter of Intent, which basically states our intent to hire them as staff as soon as they raise their ministry support. We then begin training and supporting them until the goal is met, and they enter the field as paid FCA missionaries. Their support raising training includes 40'ish hours of online pre-work before we send them to the FCA Support Center in Kansas City, MO for two packed days of onsite training, "Bootcamp." Within the training, we explore both the Biblical basis for ministry support, as well as strategic and tactical aspects of donor ministry.
As FCA has grown, so has our need for additional Bootcamp trainers. A little over a year ago, I was recruited for this role. I have completed the Via Generosity Facilitator training requirements and began serving as a Facilitator trainee in September, teaching sections of the in-person training in Kansas City. FCA hosts nine trainings per year, and I'll be involved in most of them moving forward. Thus far, I have been blessed to help train 126 future and current staff from around the country, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help remove the support raising barrier that prevents too many from joining or staying on staff.
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The Gathering: Investing in Staff
| | Each fall, our Northland staff come together for a few days of worship, training, fellowship, and fun. Staff are poured into, encouraged, and given development opportunities. This year, Missouri staff member Bryan McKenzie joined us, and we spent a few sessions digging into Romans 8 together. Staff also received valuable training on a few new systems and tools that will help us better protect the ministry and more effectively manage all of the relationships in a staff member's mission field. Plenty of playtime, worship, and fellowship rounded out the experience. It was a fantastic event and blessed investment into the faithful men and women who train up coaches and volunteers as disciples and disciple makers! | |
Canton Coaches Huddle: Friday Morning Blessings
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Each Friday morning during the school year, I'm blessed to join a group of Canton Middle and High School coaches and administrators for a time of fellowship, prayer, Bible study, and conversation. We eat breakfast together and discuss how to live out our faith - in our homes, classrooms, sports environments, and community. It's an encouragement each week, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this local group of leaders and difference makers!
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For the past several months, Suzanne has assisted with preparing and launching the new FCA Resources Web App. Loaded with new video teaching series, topical teaching series, and the beloved Daily Impact Play Devotions; this new platform houses amazing resources that coaches and athletes can access on the go. One of the most exciting features involves building a Huddle and sharing resources to go through together. Visit resources.fca.org to create an account and give it a try.
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We have experienced a blessed fall, packed with activities and opportunities! Elijah started his 2nd year at SDSU. Beyond his accounting studies, he is helping lead a Bible Study through a local church, spending plenty of time in the weight room, and helping plan a wedding. John finished his final year of football. He was selected as a team captain and had an impact on his team through a Bible study, leading prayer, and inviting teammates to church and small group. Daniel gave cross country a try and got faster throughout the season, even making the varsity roster for a race. He was also the Cat in the Hat for the middle school musical, "Seussical," and did an amazing job! Micah completed his first year of tackle football and loved it. John continues to serve as a leader for Z8, a local youth ministry movement, and Daniel and Micah are both part of the FCA student discipleship group Suzanne and I lead. As a part of that, they each have a weekly Bible study with a few of their classmates. Suzanne was busy helping lead the local high school football booster club, and I continued to serve as the varsity football chaplain. To finish off the season, Suzanne spent a little time in GA, being blessed by attending and speaking at FCA's Huddle for Women. We are now enjoying a small lull in the action before winter kicks in. Looking ahead, we are really excited about celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with loved ones.
As always, we give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who partners with our family in ministry through prayer and financial support. FCA is a team ministry, and we are so grateful for your partnership in the Lord's work!
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Would you partner with us in sports discipleship ministry
through a generous year-end gift?
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