Christ and His work on the cross are the central focus of FCA's mission. Anything that detours us from this course reduces our effectiveness. No issue is worthy of replacing our main focus: Christ and the salvation He offers through faith.
The Bible contains life's game plan. From this trustworthy document we derive our authority. Since it is God's Word, it is true in every area to which it speaks. The focus of FCA is not what men say, but rather what God says.
The FCA ministry attempts to meet people where they are in their spiritual journey and, through the appropriate message and methods, move them toward commitment to Christ and spiritual growth. Although salvation and growth are our ultimate ends, these ends do not justify violating the process people must go through to understand and commit to the gospel. The violation of that process can produce spiritual still birth rather than spiritual birth.
Since FCA came into existence, the local church has been a vital teammate. FCA is interdenominational. Its focus has always been on the person of Jesus Christ and not on traditions or denominational labels. FCA's concern is to draw athletes and coaches and all whom they influence into vital Christian service within the church. Each FCA Teammate is urged to faithfully attend and serve in the church of his or her choice. Some Huddles occasionally worship at various churches as a group, and FCA events are planned so as not to interfere with Sunday church participation. FCA staff and board members are also active members of a local church, thus, gaining local accountability.
Rev. Carey Casey, former Senior Pastor of Lawndale Community Church in Chicago, says: The young people of America are a mission field and FCA helps the church reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Athletes and coaches, who might not consider the church as an option, do listen to other Christian athletes on the athletic field or court and often come and bring their families into fellowship with the local church.
One unique feature of FCA is its use of the American education system. Our mission statement mentions two segments of society, coaches and athletes, as our target audience. To further focus the ministry, we have determined that the junior and senior high schools and college campuses in the U.S. provide the best arena to reach coaches and athletes. Every sanctioned FCA Huddle will be identified with either a junior or senior high or a college/university.
According to one source, 96% of all Americans participate in or watch an athletic event every week. FCA has chosen the powerful medium of athletics as its avenue to impact the world for Christ. Specifically, FCA has targeted the athlete and coach because of their great influence. The athletic focus is further refined by our school orientation; we are on junior high, high school and college campuses. FCA focuses to draw the athlete, the coach, and all who are influenced. ALL are welcomed to be involved in FCA.
Volunteers were essential in launching FCA and are still a vital link in carrying out the mission. Paid staff have not always been essential to FCA ministry, but volunteers have. As Adult Chapter participants, Huddle coaches, donors or camp participants, volunteers provide the necessary work force to deliver the FCA ministry to coaches and athletes.
"Where do you get your money?" is a question FCA staff are often asked. FCA exists because people, moved by God, give generously. More than 45% of all funds come from individuals. We also receive funds from corporations, foundations, churches and civic clubs.
[Back to Top]For more than 40 years, FCA has been focused on one purpose . . .
To present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.
"to present" - FCA is a presenting ministry, acknowledging that the family and church are the primary institutions for Christian growth and discipleship.
"to athletes and coaches" - FCA is an athletic ministry, its primary constituency being athletes and coaches from the junior high through professional levels.
"and all whom they influence" - FCA is an influencing ministry, using athletics as its platform and athletes and coaches as its role models and spokespersons.
"the challenge of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord" - FCA strives to present the complete Gospel in which athletes and coaches are encouraged to count its cost and make thoughtful decisions for Christ in the fellowship of the Huddle group locally and at Conferences and Camps.
"and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord" - FCA presents the acceptance of Christ as a continuing journey in which athletes and coaches grow in knowledge of and service to Christ.
"serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church" - FCA aids athletes and coaches in maintaining or restoring relationships and directing athletes and coaches toward the family and church.
FCA's goal is to have a presence on every school campus in America. Currently there are over 7,000 Huddles with an estimated 350,000 students involved (about 24% of the schools in America).
[Back to Top]Because of the interest overseas, FCA has chosen to take its ministry outside the United States. We are glad to share the FCA model with anyone who would like to develop it overseas.
[Back to Top]1954 - FCA incorporated by its founder, Don McClanen. Paul Benedum, Branch Rickey and other Pittsburgh businessmen underwrote the first year's budget. Charter members included Otto Graham, Carl Erskine, Donn Moomaw and Rickey.
1956 - First National Camp at Estes Park, Colorado with 256 athletes and coaches attending. FCA moves its national headquarters from Norman, Oklahoma to Kansas City, Missouri.
1959 - The Christian Athlete magazine published.
1960 - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, joins Estes Park as the second FCA Camp site.
1964 - Adult Chapter program begun. First National Camp at Black Mountain, North Carolina.
1966 - Huddle program established.
1967 - FCA holds eight National Camps with 4,700 participants.
1968 - National Coaches Conferences initiated.
1969 - FCA holds a record 16 National Camps with more than 7,000 attendees. FCA huddles exceed 1,000.
1972 - Huddles exceed 1,500. Adult Chapters grow to 200. Full time-staffers increase to 23.
1974 - National Conference Center (NCC) opened near Marshall, Indiana. Women's Ministry established.
1977 - National Golf Ministry launched. Huddles increase to 2,000.
1978 - FCA staff grows to more than 100. FCA holds 32 National Camps.
1979 - National Headquarters Building and Chapel dedicated.
1982 - Sharing the VICTORY magazine published, replacing The Christian Athlete.
1985 - 4,400 official Huddles and 220 FCA employees in 34 states.
1987 - National Summer Camps held at 34 sites; 4,300 coaches and spouses at 17 National Coaches meetings.
1989 - Four-court indoor gym dedicated at NCC. CHAD principle introduced. Some 40,000 athletes/coaches/adults official FCA members; 275 FCA staff in 42 states; 100,000 student athletes meeting in Huddles during school year.
1991 - FCA produces a booklet dealing with drug abuse and introduces the "One Way 2 Play Drug Free" program and charter.
1993 - Camp attendance exceeds 10,000. Huddles top 5,000 for the first time in history.
1994 - 320 staff members, an all time high nationally. FCA's 40th Anniversary.
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