The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is looking back on 2014 as a year when it was able to reach more coaches and athletes across the globe, as well as mark six decades of touching hearts.
“2014 was certainly an awesome year for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” said Les Steckel, President and CEO of FCA. “With our dedicated partners around the world, and with God’s guidance, FCA is working hard to reach more and more coaches and young athletes and help them make a real impact in their world—both on and off the playing field.”
In 2014, FCA updated its flagship logo, the cornerstone of the ministry’s identity, to give it a modern and contemporary look.
FCA highlights in 2014 included:
- FCA celebrated its 60th anniversary on Nov. 10. For six decades, FCA has impacted the world for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. (Read more: 60 Years and Counting)
- FCA Camps saw record-setting numbers in the 2014 season. Total attendance reached 86,557 at 516 FCA Camps in 40 states and 33 countries. Nearly 20,000 attendees chose to commit or recommit their lives to God. (Read more:2014 FCA Camp Report)
- FCA Campus Ministry reached more than 450,000 students in 10,568 Campus Huddles worldwide—the most in FCA history.
- FCA Coaches Ministry expanded to a record 700 certified Coaches Huddles and trained 54 selected national and international staff at the third annual Coaches Ministry Academy. The 3Dimensional Coaching method has exploded to become one of the most widely sought after training curriculums. (Read more: 3D Coaching)
- FCA Community Ministry reached over 16,000 coaches and athletes through 644 community sport Huddles around the globe.
- More than 185,000 students participated in the 10th annual Fields of Faith event on 505 athletic fields, as nearly 15,000 committed or recommitted to Christ. Another 13,711 committed to read the Bible. (Read more: 2014 Fields of Faith Report)
- FCA distributed 177,850 Bibles worldwide in 13 different versions and also recently released a sport-specific Bible, “The Softball New Testament.”
- FCA updated its flagship logo, the cornerstone of the ministry’s identity, to give it a modern and contemporary look.
- FCA continued to build relationships with donors, and earlier this month, FCA earned its eighth consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest organization rating the fiscal management of charities, which places FCA in the top 1 percent of all charities rated.
- FCA released two new resources in addition to “The Softball New Testament”: “3D Coach,” a popular book explaining the 3Dimensional Coaching strategy, and “FCA Virtuous Woman: Integrity,” a Bible study geared toward the female competitor. (Learn more: www.FCAGear.com)
- FCA’s Hall of Champions honored 2014 inductees Don Chalmers, former FCA National Board President; Paul Dietzel, former football coach; Sylvia Hatchel, women’s basketball head coach; and Clendon Thomas, former All-American football player. (Read more: FCA Adds Four To Its Hall of Champions)
- FCA teamed up with YouVersion, the most popular Bible app, to offer nine devotional reading plans including one in Chinese. More than 19,000 FCA reading plans have been completed.
Throughout 2014, FCA Magazine (www.fca.org/mag) also introduced readers to big names in the world of sports—coaches and athletes who rely on their faith on and off the field. For the January/February issue, FCA Magazine profiled University of Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze as he builds a foundation with faith and family. In March/April, FCA Magazine told the story of FCA's impact at the University of Louisville. St. Louis Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheny and his mission to serve, teach and lead were highlighted in the May/June issue.
In the July/August issue, FCA Magazine sat down with United States Men’s National Soccer Team goalkeeper Tim Howard to talk about his faith journey. As the NFL season kicked off in September, FCA Magazine profiled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin, as he brings faith and hope back to his hometown. To close out the year, FCA Magazine featured Baylor University’s Bryce Petty and other Christ-following college football players.
FCA looks forward to continuing to fulfill its vision to see the world impact for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes in the year ahead.