Since 1954, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has been challenging coaches and athletes to use the dynamic platform of sports to reach their peers with the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Yet while FCA encourages individual excellence both on and off the field, the organization recognizes the 24/7 mindset of competitive athletics can take a toll on all involved. It’s a world where someone is always working harder, training longer, spending more hours watching game film, prepping for the next race, meet, or competition.
FCA CEO and President Shane Williamson shared, “In competitive sports, it can feel as if the demands never stop. The training, practicing, planning and strategizing keep you hustling and operating at a pace in which it’s difficult to thrive. Although these things, in the right measure, are necessary to compete and coach at a high level, the pace is not always sustainable.”
FCA is addressing this tension through their ministry theme for 2024, “24/7,” an initiative that will encourage coaches and athletes to temper the cultural hustle surrounding competitive sports with the continual hope and joy found in their Savior.
Williamson noted, “We’re taking coaches and athletes on a journey from being overwhelmed by the pressures of a 24/7 grind to overflowing in the hope and joy of Jesus Christ 24/7.”
The theme is built on four key holistic pillars: reset, renew, refuel and ready.
Williamson summarized, “Sometimes you need a ‘reset’ to get a fresh start and move in a different direction. Then, as you are ‘renewed’ in Christ, you have a new heart, which creates a new identity and purpose in Him. As a follower of Jesus, you need to spiritually ‘refuel’ with His supernatural joy and hope that will overflow into every aspect of your life. And after walking through the process of spiritual reset, renewal and refueling, you are now ‘ready’ to show boldness and share the gospel with those around you.”
FCA’s annual ministry themes are designed to encourage coaches and athletes with God’s truth, provide opportunities for them to get connected to the ministry of FCA and help them go deeper in their faith. This year’s theme is based on Romans 15:13 (CSB): “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Williamson said, “As a coach or athlete, it can feel like the hustle and grind never stops. But the reality is that your life doesn't have to be overrun by competitive pressures to keep up and prove your worth. How you spend your ‘24/7’ matters. Jesus is ready to give you the rest and rejuvenation that you need, you just have to slow down enough to receive it.”
FCA’s theme for 2024 is “24/7,” based on Romans 15:13 (CSB): “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” FCA reminds coaches and athletes that their identity and value is found in Christ, rather than their sport.
Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam, its Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thefcateam or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.