Fellowship of Christian Athletes: more than meets the eye

Not sure what FCA actually is?

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: more than meets the eye

Sophia Barr, Reporter

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a club that is helping set the basic fundamentals of Mead High, but unless you yourself are in the club then this is probably the first time you’ve heard of them.

First, what is FCA? It was first founded by Don McClanen in 1954, he “wondered why professional athletes endorsed products like shaving cream and cigarettes, but not a Christian lifestyle.” this thought would help shape the FCA into what it is today. Mr. Parsons, one of the supervisors of FCA, describes it as “…a nationwide organization focused on primarily high school and college coaches and athletes and giving them a place to socialize, learn about Jesus Christ, and deepen their faith.”

“There are a couple different ‘typical’ meeting formats” explains Mr. Parsons. “First, there’s free pizza provided by different parents every week so students get their pizza and eat and socialize.  Often this is followed by some sort of icebreaker/mixer activity.  After that there’s usually a short Bible lesson given by a speaker.  That speaker is either one of the student leaders, a guest student speaker, or a guest speaker from outside the school.  There’s usually a focus on having the lesson be pretty interactive so people that come aren’t just getting talked at for 20 minutes.”

Another activity provided by FCA is “there are other [activities] outside of school social events (they recently played ultimate frisbee with a cow tongue) and they have periodic weekend getaway camps and summer camps.”

Although they call themselves Christian Athletes, you don’t have to be either to be able to participate in the activities and meetings they provide, you can always just go in a have a good time.

FCA meets every Wednesday in E130 room.