Unexpected times create opportunities for unexpected movements of God to happen.
While our world’s current circumstances may have changed the way we are able to engage coaches and athletes, our vision hasn’t changed. Coaches and athletes still need to be reached, and our staff is committed to making that happen.
As a global ministry affected by a global pandemic, FCA staff from all over the world have had to make adjustments to keep advancing the ministry. With digital platforms and new virtual ministry initiatives, leaders have been able to engage coaches and athletes right where they are—virtually.
Dima and Reily Rachkovskyy, husband and wife and FCA Ukraine Area Representatives in Kiev, are two leaders who have found virtual ministry to be highly impactful. Whether it’s a conference call with a coach, or a virtual Huddle, Dima and Reily are doing what it takes to keep connecting with coaches and athletes.
Huddles are a vital way to engage a new coach or athlete. Reily and Dima understand the value of Huddle ministry and they have personally experienced God at work through virtual Huddles. Since they started hosting virtual Huddles, they’ve watched a coaches’ Huddle double in size and they have connected with four new coaches who had never heard of or been in contact with FCA until now.
“It was a great opportunity to meet [these coaches] and start building relationships with them,” Dima said. “They liked it so much, they asked to join our Huddle and want to be part of regular meetings! Some of them are former professional basketball players that played for the National team and now have a very big influence in the basketball world. How amazing is God by using this Huddle to reach such people!”
Sasha, a basketball coach attending the virtual Huddle shares, “In isolation, Huddles are an amazing time for me to continue to grow as a coach. It’s precious time for exchanging experiences with other coaches, discussing great topics that challenge me, and helping me grow as a 3D Coach.”
Going beyond Ukraine, Reily and Dima have invited U.S. coaches to participate in their virtual Huddles and they have hopes for inviting collegiate and professional athletes in the upcoming weeks.
“We would have never had the opportunity to do that,” Dima said. “But now, every week, it’s possible to invite a guest that can share a devotion, an experience in their sport, and share the Gospel! The number of Huddles, new relationships, and new people to pray for have grown!”
Like most FCA staff, both Dima and Reily have faced many challenges to overcome. “The biggest challenge is probably [staying] present in coaches’ lives,” Dima said.
Rather than going to a practice, game, or inviting a coach to coffee, they’ve had to come up with other ways to stay present and be intentional with coaches.
“The best way to overcome this so far is to just remind them that we pray for them and continue serving them by providing good opportunities to learn online and have interesting guests,” Dima said.
Stories of growth and impact like Dima and Reily’s are happening within FCA all across the world. As a ministry, we are encouraged knowing that God is over all things and is the one holding all things together.
“And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17
God is faithful and He is on the move. Be encouraged!