If you had one day left on earth, what would you do with it?
"Spend it with my family." - Shane Williamson
Shane Williamson is hitting his stride in his first year as FCA’s eighth President/CEO. While many know the South Carolina native was a coach prior to joining FCA staff in 2002, below are a few additional insights into what drives him to best serve FCA staff, and coaches, athletes, and volunteers to influence God’s Kingdom.
FCA: What does it mean to you to be the first FCA President to come from within the ministry?
Shane Williamson: I often say life is about lenses. Over the course of your life, God, through experiences and relationships, gives you different lenses in which you see Him, yourself and others. This helps us better serve the Lord’s purposes in our lives. I believe the relationships and experiences I have in coaching, and the different FCA roles in which I’ve served, will help me to see more clearly how I am to serve FCA in this season as president. The most humbling part of the role is representing those who serve the coaches and athletes of our world as FCA staff.
FCA: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
SW: I love collards (a green leafy vegetable)—it’s the southern in me!
On a personal level, I coach youth football and baseball teams. What may be most surprising is that I also help coach four FCA volleyball teams—P31 (for Proverbs 31)—made of 42 girls ages 8-13.
FCA: Can you share a moment from your FCA involvement that has left a deep impression on you?
SW: I have shared many times of my coming to Christ and my and Angel’s marriage being impacted through FCA, but another special moment occurred during my second year on staff. We hosted a coaches Valentine’s dinner, with a catered meal, comedian, slow dancing and roses. Coaches have such a challenge on their time at home and their marriage, not to mention male coaches might not be the most romantic bunch. I will never forget watching coaches and their wives look into each other’s eyes as they slow danced for the first time—for many, in decades—weeping and remembering the reasons they fell in love.
FCA: How do you see this ministry being relevant now more than ever?
SW: As a coach, parent, player or fan, there are few in the world who are not directly impacted by sport. The Influence of the coach—other than parents—is the greatest adult figure of inspiration in millions of children’s lives daily. This coach-to-player relationship has become even more critical for young people in single parent homes. Ministry “to and through the coach” is a global opportunity that works in every culture and country.
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