Two Super Bowl-Bound Players Helped Spread the Gospel Through Fellowship of Christian Athletes
San Francisco’s Jordan Matthews and Kansas City’s Stefen Wisniewski Were on Board with FCA to Reach Coaches and Athletes Through Bible Distribution and FCA Huddles
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Even though the ministry is based in Kansas City, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) has ties to both sides of the field for this Sunday’s Super Bowl LIV.
Two Super Bowl-bound players—Jordan Matthews, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, and Stefen Wisniewski, guard for the Kansas City Chiefs—have ties to FCA and were involved with the ministry during their days as teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles squad.
Matthews has often discussed his faith as it relates to professional sports.
“In a performance-based culture like the NFL, there’s nothing more powerful than knowing you’re already approved in Jesus Christ,” Matthews told FCA in the days leading up to the matchup in Miami. “The Super Bowl is the biggest game in the country and yet God is so much bigger. No matter what happens on that field we already have the victory.”
And back in 2017, Wisniewski told FCA Magazine that he intentionally brings Jesus into his sport by praying before every game.
“I really feel that gives me a great sense of peace,” he said. “During competition, just saying a short prayer to reset my mind on God. Always making sure to thank Him after the game for watching over me and for all that He did for me during that game.”
Matthews was part of an impactful group that was active for FCA. He and teammates Nick Foles, Carson Wentz and others co-led eight-week FCA Huddles for students and athletes in inner-city Philadelphia. At the gatherings, they shared how the Eagles’ weekly Bible study during the season strengthened their bond on the field and in their relationships with Christ. The players also wanted to make sure each athlete who attended the Huddle went home with a Bible.
Matthews has continued his faith walk in a big way in San Francisco. According to Baptist Press, he is already widely regarded as one of the team’s spiritual pillars, leads the team Bible study and is one of the “go-to guys” for spiritual counsel.
“We’ve got to realize as Christians that we’re going to be the Bible that people read,” Matthews said during Super Bowl Opening Night Jan. 27 at Marlins Park. “We’ve got to be able to share our faith with people whenever the opportunity comes.”
Learn more about FCA here. For more information about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fcafans or its Twitter feed @fcanews.
