FGGAM MEDIA CENTER RECEIVED THIS WONDERFUL REPORT FROM FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES!
Athletes the world over, professional and amateur, faced identity questions once seasons were abruptly canceled.
The question “Who am I without my sport?” has persisted in athletes minds throughout the world.
However, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is offering athletes and teams the important answer to that question.
FCA remembers that God gave 100% in sending His Son to die for our sins, and that we can give 100% in sacrifice to Him.
But what does giving 100% to God look like, especially in the realm of sports?
What do we really mean when we say we give our all?
- FCA is offering virtual (FCA Virtual) and in-person bible studies and prayer meetings for athletes and coaches throughout the world to recognize their true identity in Christ first.
- In addition, FCA is sharing with all athletes and coaches the Competitor’s Creed, a heartfelt declaration of true competition around FCA’s core values of integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.
The opening words of the Competitor’s Creed cry out a steadfast promise of commitment to performing for God first and foremost before the they perform on the playing field:
I am a Christian first and last.
I am created in the likeness of
God Almighty to bring Him glory.
I am a member of Team Jesus.
FCA then offers six characteristics of an athlete who gives 100%, both to sport and to God, as the rest of the stanzas of the Creed continue.
1. Priority
Above all, our priority is our faith. We represent the living God, and we give 100% for His glory. Our first team will always be Team Jesus, and we focus on how we can speak, act and think like Jesus that will best love our teammates, coaches, and the competition.
I am a Competitor now and forever.
I am made to strive, to strain,
to stretch and to succeed
in the arena of competition.
I am a Christian Competitor
and as such, I face my challenger
with the face of Christ.
2. Be Dedicated
We are passionate in our performance, giving our all, all the time. All our dedication to our sport stems from a desire to use what God has given us and excel in competition. Christ was set on His mission, and we can do the same as we set our eyes on Him.
I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities
or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of
my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ
and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.
3. We Represent
It isn’t our ability that gives us confidence; it’s the strength of God who has gifted us with the talents we have. God loves to watch us use our gifts and finds delight when we find joy in what we do. Not only do we represent our team, school and city, but we represent the Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit.
My attitude on and off
the field is above reproach—
my conduct beyond criticism.
Whether I am preparing,
practicing or playing,
I submit to God’s authority
and those He has put over me.
I respect my coaches, officials,
teammates and competitors
out of respect for the Lord.
4. Be Consistent
Sometimes we think we can get away with being one persona on the field while living by a different set of standards off of it. But our attitudes in all situations still reflect the countenance of Christ. Respect is for God, and for those He has placed in charge: coaches, referees, teammates.
My body is the temple of Jesus Christ.
I protect it from within and without.
Nothing enters my body that
does not honor the Living God.
My sweat is an offering to my Master.
My soreness is a sacrifice to my Savior.
5. Care For Our Bodies
We take care of our body in every way: getting enough sleep, drinking water, eating healthy and exercising. All the hard work and hours of sweat, training in season and in the off season and the limits we push ourselves in the weight room is an offering to the One who has given us our bodies.
I give my all—all of the time.
I do not give up. I do not give in.
I do not give out. I am the Lord’s warrior—
a competitor by conviction
and a disciple of determination.
I am confident beyond reason
because my confidence lies in Christ.
The results of my efforts
must result in His glory.
6. Compete with Confidence
Carried by conviction, we forge ahead and fight the good fight of faith through competition. We can compete in confidence because we are confident in Christ who goes with us. Everything we do builds to the end goal: to bring glory to God.
“Competition is thrilling, but it is more exhilarating knowing we’ve given our all for the One who gave His all for us,” said Williamson. “It’s a complete mind shift and determination to do everything seeking after Christ. It’s a daily choice, a daily invitation to bring Him into the athletic arena with us. We pray that every coach and athlete FCA touches will fully embrace these principles of complete surrender to Christ in their sport, as they compete with freedom and joy as competitors for Christ.”
FCA Sent to Equip Latino Coaches Returns Blessed, Inspired by Chapter’s Sports Evangelism
Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Latin America North Region Sets High Bar, Engaging Local Sports Partners to Spread Gospel
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—A trio of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, fca.org) staffers who traveled to Latin America to equip fellow workers were surprised to find themselves on the receiving end of the blessings.
FCA Multi-Area Director Wade Hopkins and two other staff from the Texas Gold Coast region conducted two coaches’ conferences in the Latin America North International region and helped train 85 coaches and pastors to make disciples using the platform of athletics.
The trip’s purpose was “to catch a vision of what God is doing in Latin America North and to see how we could serve and support that work,” Hopkins said. “Ultimately, the goal was all about making disciples. We wanted to empower others to reach others.”
Hopkins and team found FCA Latin America North already in full swing, giving the Texans opportunities not only to serve and support but also to listen and learn. They witnessed Latino believers with FCA engaging local sports partners to utilize volleyball, baseball and soccer to create windows for sharing the Gospel. The Texans also facilitated coaches’ clinics, where they gave a Bible to each participant.
But if it is better to give than to receive, the Texas FCA representatives found themselves outflanked by the Latino FCA team, who were determined to bless their guests. One example of a servant-leader sowing seeds of the Gospel in the Latino community was Vladimir, who served as translator for the Texans.
“I was so amazed at Vladimir’s quiet, confident demeanor,” Hopkins said. “He knew he was fulfilling God’s call in his life as he developed his church to reach his local community. God used Vladimir to help me realize the opportunities all around me to engage with my community. I was blessed by our time together.”
Another standout Latino FCA teammate was Lazario, who shared from his experiences evangelizing athletes over the years, including a current Major League Baseball player who now hosts an annual Faith and Family Fun Night.
“That’s the power of sports evangelism,” Hopkins said.
Earlier this spring, FCA introduced FCA Virtual, an online and social media initiative to rally coaches, athletes and staff around the incredible stories of what God is doing through virtual FCA ministry. FCA Virtual is a space to gather ideas about how to engage teams and Huddles in online spiritual growth and to look for ways to serve and connect in this time of limited social interaction. FCA hopes coaches and athletes will be encouraged by what God is doing around the world through the virtual avenue. FCA Virtual will also help coaches, athletes and teams to keep up with evolving ministry and training events in the field, as they unify leaders around a common rallying cry during a time of increased isolation. Learn more at FCA.org/Virtual.
Read more about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website www.fca.org, or connect on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
