FCA saw a record-breaking year for its popular and life-changing camps program, with 94,505 coaches and athletes attending 619 FCA Camps across America and the world.
The 2015 FCA Camps season focused on finding true victory by teaming up with an undefeated God. Many lives were impacted and transformed by outstanding competition and spiritual growth during FCA’s 59th camp season. This year’s theme, “Undefeated,” was based on 1 Corinthians 15:57 and challenged campers to experience an undefeated God with a record that is unmatched. This summer, 9,978 coaches and athletes made first-time commitments to Christ.
“What an awesome testament to God and His power to transform lives,” said FCA President and CEO Les Steckel. “Fellowship of Christian Athletes is humbled and blessed to be a part of His plan, to reach coaches and athletes through a love of sports. We see headline after headline about the effort to separate faith and sports, but it has been our mission for 60 years to encourage the collision of faith and sports as well as the life change that can happen on the playing field through Jesus Christ.”
The life-changing impact on coaches and athletes has been the main focus of FCA Camps since the first camp in 1956. FCA Camps are a time of “inspiration and perspiration” for coaches and athletes. Competitors who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training attend a variety of camps, which include Sports Camps, Leadership Camps, Coaches Camps, Power Camps, Team Camps, Partnership Camps and International Camps.
More than 12,000 also recommitted their lives to Christ, in camps in 41 states and 36 countries. The 2015 attendance of more than 94,000 was an increase of nearly 8,000 over 2014.
“FCA Camp was the best experience of my life,” said one FCA camper. “I gave my life to Christ this weekend, and I’ve been saved. I poured my heart into Him, and He poured His love into me. I can’t wait to get back to campus and share this with other people.”
Added another camper, “FCA Camp was the best week of my life. Not only did I get better at sports, more importantly, I recommitted my life to the Lord. The coaches and the huddle leaders were inspiring people, and I can honestly say I saw the Lord’s spirit at work full force the whole week."
To download the camp report in its entirety, click here.
FCA In My Voice:
Name: Elyssa
School: Cedarville University
Sport: Softball
Position: Huddle Leader/San Diego FCA Intern
Year: Sophomore
FCA: What are you hoping God shows you this week?
Elyssa: This week I want to see God’s love in my life and the lives of my girls. I want them to be overwhelmed by it and understand it. And for myself, I want my identity to be stable in that He loves me, and there’s nothing I can do to earn that love; it’s simply given.
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Name: Ben Mulder
Position: Staff (Inland Region Area Director)
Camp Experience: 12 years
FCA: What’s been a highlight for you?
Ben: Reuniting with staff. We only see each other twice a year at retreats and meetings. And I’ve been at this long enough where I see little kids come through as campers and become Huddle leaders, then become grown-ups. It’s always good to see their evolution.
FCA: How has God shown up this week?
Ben: Last night in the line where we greeted the kids who accepted Christ, a girl came up and grabbed me. She looked me in the eyes and said, “Thank you. I’m here because of you.”