This story appears in FCA Magazine’s January/February 2016 issue. Subscribe today!
As I’ve said many times before, FCA has been around for more than 60 years because of God’s grace and provision over the ministry. But it’s also because of the many faithful folks committed to reaching coaches and athletes for Christ through athletics.
When it comes to the impact this ministry has made, famous names like Branch Rickey, Tom Landry and Kay Yow are the headline-grabbers. There is no doubt they were each very important pieces of our history. But, as anyone involved with FCA could tell you, the ministry wouldn’t be what it is today without its volunteers—the parents, teachers, coaches, businessmen, businesswomen and countless others who have sacrificed their time and resources through the years to help FCA make a difference in the lives of millions of people.
As I travel around the country from airports to rental car shuttles to hotels, I often wear shirts with the FCA logo emblazoned upon them. In striking up conversations with those nearby, I make it a point to mention the ministry. Sometimes people say they’ve never heard of it (I then explain more about it), but other times they recall fond memories of being involved years ago in middle school, high school and college. I truly get a picture of how God has always provided the workers (our amazing staff and a wealth of volunteers) for the harvest of believers, just as Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 9:37-38: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
It was through a volunteer—Dan Stavely, the freshman football coach at the University of Colorado during the 1960s and 1970s—that I, along with hundreds of students and coaches, was influenced deeply for the Lord. Coach Stavely, who is honored in our Hall of Champions, volunteered his time for FCA at Colorado, leading a weekly Bible study on campus and meeting one-on-one with athletes. His story could be told many times over about someone giving of himself or herself through this ministry to bring others closer to Jesus.
Still, that example is somewhat rare in our world and culture today. I’m convinced that serving others is quite possibly one of the most counterintuitive actions out there. But, as followers of Christ, it’s what we’re called to do. While the world tells us to be served, God calls us to serve others. He wants us to lay down our earthly lives for the blessing that awaits us in eternity.
Serving brings such a rush of positive power. When we’re serving, we experience the fullness of the love of our Savior, who commanded us to care for the poor and serve those in need.
So it is with a truly gracious heart that I say thank you to the many volunteers who help our staff make this ministry go. As this New Year begins, let’s make it one of opportunity and growth in the Lord. The time is now, and the need is great. We need men and women willing to make a difference and allow God to use them to express what it means to be truly selfless followers of the Most High.
The irony of serving is that when we do it, we hope to bless others, but most often the reverse happens and we are truly blessed.
Trust me, Jesus’ words still ring true: "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few." So, get involved, volunteer and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the ministry of FCA. Join us in His harvest fields!
Model the Master,
Les Steckel
FCA President/CEO
-FCA-
–This article appears in the January/February 2016 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue digitally, click here: January/February 2016 FCA Mag Digital
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