This is for the ones who needed to come.

For the boys from San Diego who arrived at FCA’s Total Athlete Camp in Los Angeles wanting to wrestle and left with a new spark in their eyes, uncovering Jesus.

For the girl from Compton who almost didn’t make it to Camp because she couldn’t afford it, and in a last minute miracle, received a scholarship.

For the coach who understood the merits of bringing his team to develop physically, never realizing how much his heart wanted a workout as well.

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Take a closer look at the hesitation of young athletes who arrive on the first day to a sea of Huddle Leaders welcoming them.

At the first practice, where coaches and players from high-caliber schools blend encouragement into teaching while filling fields with laughter, hard work, sweat and teamwork.

 




See the kids who shyly come out of their shells and into themselves through the warmth and openness over lunch. Feel the touch, welcomed hugs given to some who go weeks without an affirming arm around their shoulder.

 


 















If campers heard nothing else that week, staff made sure it was one simple truth: God loves them. Not because of what their stat sheet says, or anything they can do, or how they live through difficult circumstances. He simply loves them right where they are, in the midst of the mess.

Evidence of this spread throughout the week, as campers were asked how they were doing and were really listened to for the first time in their lives. And on night three, when L.A.’s Director of Ministry Kevin Nickerson gave life to the story of the prodigal son and the arms of God spread wide in welcome, hundreds of kids rose from their seats and ascended up the steps to make their way into the prayer room. Lined on either side of the procession, coaches, staff and volunteers clapped, hollered, high-fived and whispered words of affirmation into the ears of weary souls, laying down their lives and taking up the Lord’s.

Each face shone different—wide smiles, eyes somber and sparkling, tear-streaked cheeks. They clung to friends and buried themselves in the hearty hug of a staff member. The celebration of new life bounced off the walls of the pavilion in awe and praise. And when they returned to their seats in the auditorium, the choir of worship grew to heavenly proportions, voices lifting in shouts of how He loves us, oh, how He loves us.

 
























Walls crumbled throughout the week, as campers found their comfort zone in Huddles with their leaders and peers. As girls realized their identity comes from Christ, not what the world so harshly screams at them, and guys found pressure released when they saw older male figures showering them with emotion and love, planting the truth that it’s okay to be held in a caring embrace.

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Lives changed, hearts reignited, and the body of Christ moved in waves to glorify God with reckless abandon. 

 





















Thank you for coming, you hearts that heeded His call.

Thanks to all who selflessly gave of themselves to strangers for the sake of love.

And thanks to God, who showed up in big, uncontainable ways to pour out His affection on parched souls weary from the world and desperate for His company.