News from the Director

What a great summer! Some highlights:

-Officially welcoming Tori Atkinson on staff as an Area Rep. She is KILLIN it!

-Going to the beach with my family

-Hosting our first camp as an Area! TEAMWORK

-God bringing new staff and ministry opportunities to the Area

-Attending NE Ohio Staff Retreat

Area Rep Report

God is so good! In May, I officially entered the ministry through God’s provision and the generosity of His people, and I have now completed my first summer on-staff with FCA!

As I “learned the ropes,” I met with as many Huddle leaders as I could to establish relationships and hear about their plans for the upcoming school year. Coaches, teachers, volunteers, students, and I spent hours discussing what opportunities God has given us to most effectively share the Gospel in schools and how to support deeper growth in Christ through ongoing discipleship.

I also had the privilege of discipling some of the student Huddle leaders over the summer. Discipleship is something I’m very passionate about, so I was pleased God chose to use me in that way. I trust that His Spirit was with us to guide our conversations, grant us understanding, and turn our hearts more toward Him.

Oh, and our All-Abilities camp was awesome!! But I’ll let you read its section in the newsletter to learn more. :)

With such a great summer coming to a close, I look forward to what the 2024-2025 school year will bring! God is certainly not done yet!

Blessings,

Tori Atkinson

First Annual All-Abilities Camp

Total Campers: 80

Volunteers: 136

100% Fully Scholarshiped!!

Check out all the Camp Pictures on our Facebook HERE

Like us on Facebook to be the first to see our camp recap video: COMING SOON!

Some Testimonies from Camp:

"FCA All Abilities Camp was one of our favorite events this summer! So many hands on deck thru the amazing amount of volunteers allowed every kiddo to really enjoy the camp at their own pace and accommodate any need that may have arised. It fills your heart to not only have the experience of camp but to share the word of God while doing it, and know he brought us all there, together! Thanks again!!"

"The FCA Camp was an outstanding, and very well organized event! I appreciated the hard work that went into all of the planning. The volunteers were wonderful. Thank you so much for the happiness that you brought to countless people!"

"Each camper was made to feel important and special. The leader was great, giving the focus to the Lord, wonderful spirit, loving and kind. Everyone was loving and kind! So appreciate all the volunteers giving of their time and sharing love to our kids. Thank you all SO much for your hard work, efforts and ministry, it is SO appreciated!"

Coaches

Time Out

2024

Thanks to the generosity of the Paul and Carol David Foundation, coaches and huddle leaders from Massillon were able to attend Coaches Time Out in Columbus this summer. It was a great time of fellowship and encouragement. I think we can tell from the pictures that they had a great time! We are already looking forward to next year!

Preparing for the New Year

Our staff received office space at Malone University. We have been working all summer to make it a place where collaboration and discipleship can happen. We are excited to have more of a presence on campus at Malone this year. Please pray with us. We are praying for new dedicated student leaders and opportunities to pour into the coaches on campus.

NE Ohio FCA hosted a staff retreat at the most beautiful location. Shout out to the hosts for opening up their beautiful home!

We were able to connect with staff from all over NE Ohio, pray over our ministries and hear from some incredible speakers to encourage and equip us as the new year begins.

New Prospective Staff: Torie Shaffer

Area Representative

FCA has been very impactful in my life since I was in college at Mount Union. Throughout my years coaching softball at Norton, I was able to lead a huddle and see Christ work through the lives of these young ladies. After going to Germany and working alongside FCA, I knew God was calling me to serve athletes and coaches in my area as well. I pray that we can increase huddles and make Jesus known to even more coaches and athletes.

Give to Torie

2024 FCA Awards

Congratulations

Don Cockroft Male Athlete of the Year - Andrei Dordea - Wooster High School

Don Cockroft Male Athlete of the Year - Joshua Smith - Dover High School

Renee Powell Female Athlete of the Year - Angelina Yates - Smithville High School

Sue Ramsey Coach of the Year - Greg Howard - Sandy Valley High School

Read more about each award and the winners

HERE

Prayer Requests and Testimonies

+Pray for students leaders to rise up at Malone University and for there to be a desire for discipleship.

+Pray for students, athletes and coaches as they start a new school year and begin Fall Sports! Pray for there to be opportunities for coaches and athletes to be unified in Christ.

+We are so thankful that God is calling more people to the Area to do full time ministry. Please pray for Torie Shaffer, our new Area Representative. Our prayer is that she can raise 100% of her support by November, so she can do ministry full time.

+Pray for opportunities, laborers and resources to start our first Sports Club/League in the Area.

+Pray for our Director Rico and his wife Tori as they are expecting twins in October. Pray for a safe delivery and healthy babies and mom.

+Thank the Lord for a safe and incredible All-Abilities Camp! Thank the Lord for 136 wonderful volunteers. Pray for the 80 campers that heard the gospel, that seeds were planted and that they are watered and grow this year!

GIVE TODAY!