In September and October, over 800 elementary school-aged athletes run through a parent tunnel to the tune of the Monday Night Football theme song, head to their respective fields, and ready themselves to battle on the gridiron. But before all the fanfare, they take a knee for a brief Bible chalk talk and bow for prayer.

This is FCA South Dakota Flag Football, a community ministry that teaches youth the fundamentals of sports and competition while introducing them to a different way to play.

“I think we try to redefine and redeem sports,” ministry director Brian Hansen said. “When you put Christ at the center and you try and get kids and parents exposed to that, there can be a whole set of guidelines and expectations on what you hope to accomplish through competitive sport.”

The idea started in Sioux Falls, with a group of neighborhood kids whose parents wanted an alternative option to contact football for their young children. They started looking into flag football options in the area, and finding none, began meeting at the park. When games began receiving enthusiastic response, the South Dakota FCA staff saw the opportunity for what was a relevant and unique ministry.

An initial league formed, and 70 kids signed up in 1999. Numbers steadily increased over the next few years.

Participation consists of both families who already have a faith base and those who don’t, but want their kids in an alternative to full-contact football. Hansen and the rest of the staff promote the league as having the values of FCA, opening the door to ministry opportunities.

“It’s been a really great opportunity for us to reach moms and dads, grandparents, and siblings who join us in the Huddle and hear the Word shared every week,” he said.

Each week, the game begins with a speaker who goes over the weekly lesson, a devotional dealing with various entities of competition, along with a Bible verse. Families are encouraged to review the material, which is available on the South Dakota FCA website.

“We get parents to buy into it and it really creates an opportunity for them to get involved and talk about spiritual things with their kids,” said Hansen.

Players and family listen to the Bible chalk talk before a game.

Preseason training sessions are held for coaches, where staff ask them to support the purpose of the league. The coaches don’t necessarily have to be believers, but a Huddle leader is provided for every team who, if a coach doesn’t feel equipped to handle the spiritual lessons, will take on that role.

“If a coach wants to participate, we don’t want to disqualify him [if he’s not a believer],” Hansen said. “We want to expose him to the program and hopefully he’ll be ministered to.”

The leagues have extended into the surrounding communities of Brandon and Brookings. Impact crosses communities and draws upon the tight-knit camaraderie of youth sports with both tangible and spiritual lessons.

Hansen said parents have seen the way youth sports operate and what they’re evolving into, which makes the Christ-centered, fun and learning atmosphere of the FCA flag football league intriguing. Ultimately, it brings the Good News to a lot of longing hearts.

“We’ve really been blessed, and obviously there was a need,” he added. “It’s been neat to see how God has provided, how He’s used it and how we’re using it to reach our community for Christ.”

Photos courtesy of Amy Lawrence Photography and South Dakota FCA