The Georgia Premier Academy is a small private school that educates and trains athletes who want to prepare their baseball game for the next level. Families from around the United States, and around the globe, send their sons to this three-year-old school. Some of these boys are relatively new to the game, others bring more experience. However they arrive, Georgia Premier Academy is committed to making its student-athletes better. But the school’s commitment to these boys goes beyond baseball. When students arrive on campus, which is located in Statesboro, Georgia, they are trained in the game of life. They receive Bibles—most in English, and some in Spanish. And, in addition to Bible studies, the school’s programs include worship services on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Tuesday evening.
Faith, Education, Baseball
The school’s mantra is “Faith, Education, Baseball,” and owner Tony Ross emphasizes, “In that order.” Ross explains, “When they come to school here, parents know we’re a Christian school. In addition to teaching them to play baseball, we teach them to be successful young men, good husbands, and good fathers. We teach them to be productive in society beyond baseball.”
So what does FCA have to do with the Georgia Premier Academy?
Ross, a board member of FCA’s Coastal Plains region, offers, “FCA is interwoven in everything we do.” FCA is part of what happens at Georgia Premier Academy in many ways. Athletes in the program get the opportunity to hear from mature Christian athletes including local coaches, college ball players, and others. It also means that those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ have the opportunity to meet Him.
Receiving Christ
Recently, the student-athletes got to hear from Ross during a Tuesday night service. Because of Ross’ vision, Georgia Premier Academy exists today. That evening, Ross shared Christ with the group using FCA’s The Four model, which involved distributing wristbands and cards. With excitement, Ross shares, “During our invitation time, three of our young men raised their hands to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.” He adds, “God is good! Now we pray and help disciple these young men.”
As the school has continued to implement FCA’s methods and strategies, 15 students have accepted Christ. After making a decision for Christ, the athletes meet with a campus pastor who encourages them to read the Bible, participate in small group Bible studies, and engage with a local church. As an FCA board member, Ross was already committed to the organization’s mission of leading every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. But as he sees it in action, and as the boys come to know Christ, Ross exclaims, “The FCA model works!”
Read more stories about how God is using FCA to reach athletes and learn about becoming a board member in your local area.
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