A group of athletes gathers to focus on a single specific purpose. Normally, these young men and women are intensely focused on their sport. However, despite the fact that they are all athletes, they are not gathered specifically for sports.
FCA, or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a national organization that organizes small groups, or huddles, of athletes that meet as a school club to come together in community and discuss their faith.
“The purpose of FCA is to use athletics as both a platform and a forum to discuss and grow in our faith in Jesus Christ,” said Chris Pederson, faculty advisor for Westminster’s FCA.
Westminster’s FCA meets at the home of Shelby Kehr, senior, who is the student leader of FCA. About 20 to 30 students attend each meeting to enjoy fellowship with one another.
“We begin each meeting with a game like World Cup or Kickball. Then we sit down, eat, and have a discussion. Discussions are just our student leaders talking about topics that relate athletics to Christianity,” said Kehr.
While leadership is a challenge, Kehr enjoys her role as a student leader.
“I love being able to get to know so many people through FCA. I love people coming to my house, and, even if it’s their first time, getting to know something personal about them in discussions,” said Kehr.
Westminster’s FCA has grown since last year. While there were normally only ten to 15 people in attendance a year ago, the first meeting of the new school year drew about 30 people. This increase of attendance is due in part to exciting events planned by FCA leadership such as the dodgeball tournament that kicked off the school year for FCA.
More events are planned, such as a night called “Fields of Faith” that takes place at Brentwood High School on Wednesday, October 10. Students from both WCA and Brentwood will give testimonies and a special speaker will give a sermon during this event. Events like these have helped increase FCA’s attendance in the past and probably continue to increase the attendance in the future.
