This story appears in FCA Magazine’s May/June 2016 issue. Subscribe today!
What if you knew your life was about to change?
That by filling out a few forms, placing your name on a registration list, and showing up on a strange campus with mostly unfamiliar faces, you would be catapulting your heart into an incredible adventure with the risen and living Christ?
FCA Camp is a week packed with sweat, fun and faith. Friendships are forged in the grind of practice and “go-deep-quickly” Huddle discussions. Evenings challenge and transform as the program floor opens for God to speak His truth into listening ears, opening to what they’ve always sought but never found.
Camp is right around the corner, but staff and volunteers around the world have been gearing up for this season all year. There are continuing prayers for volunteers and coaches to give their time and energy to pour into athletes from all walks of life, prayers for scholarships to help athletes attend who wouldn’t be able to otherwise, and prayers for hearts prepared to meet Jesus for the first time or re-engage in a relationship with Him.
FCA offers six different types of camps: Sports, Coaches, Power, Leadership, Team and Partnership. In its own unique way, each type of camp serves as a time of “inspiration and perspiration” for athletes and coaches who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training. Campers improve at their sport by receiving strong training from passionate coaches, while also developing lasting relationships. Everyone will hear the words, “God loves you,” from speakers, staff and Huddle leaders, who are pouring themselves into their campers and extending His love extravagantly.
Many campers arrive with walls erected high, wary of the exuberant welcome by Huddle leaders and staff. But by the last day, if not before, faces shine with the glow of acceptance and love, laughter flows easily, and those once-erected walls come crumbling down at the foot of the cross.
“RISE,” this year’s FCA Camp theme, encourages competitors and coaches to rise up and take their place on the field, and to keep rising even when they’re knocked down or defeated. It takes strength, courage and commitment to rise up, give your all, and make a moment count. Joshua 1:9 (NLT) serves as the solid foundation of this year’s theme: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Across the globe, campers will learn how Jesus has paved the way to reinvigorate their faith and live audaciously above the noise clamoring around them. They’ll be challenged to dig in and rise above tough situations, climbing to the top, victorious in Jesus Christ.
“We are so excited about the upcoming FCA Camp season,” said Jeff Martin, Executive Vice President of Ministry Programs and Resources. “We will be exploring what it really means to rise for Jesus Christ at our camps across the world and we are praying for God to move in the lives of coaches and athletes as they experience FCA Camps this summer.”
If you’re mere weeks away from a life-altering moment, what will you do to prepare? Take a step of faith, and listen to the words of Joshua. Be strong enough to be transparent about whatever walls you might have built up. And then be courageous enough to be willing to see those walls come tumbling down at an FCA Camp, where God wants to speak to you this summer.
The challenge to RISE involves risk, strength, and a bold “yes” to a life-changing week. Will you RISE this summer?
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Don’t Take Our Word For It
FCA Camp has impacted people of all ages around the world. Read below for a sampling of the different experiences and lives changed for Christ.
Miriam
Camper
“The coaches are great—they’re pouring into us and our workouts. But my favorite part of camp is probably the program because you have hundreds of kids around you worshipping at the same time.”
Jenn
Coach
“The underlying theme at camp is feeling secure in the Lord. It manifests itself in many different ways, addressing athletes aching to know how loved they are. God shows up, and it’s cool to see their excitement to be poured into and invested in.”
Tori
Camper
“God has surprised me with the people I’m meeting. When I came in, I worried they’d all be cocky and confident, but from day one it was different. They are the most down-to-earth people I’ve met.”
Ben
Coach
“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.’”
Elyssa
Huddle Leader
“I’ve been caught up in doing, and being overconfident. I’m learning the importance of Christian community and a closeness to God, to be praying continually.”
Johnny and Oscar
Coaches
“I love coaching and teaching the lessons. Every kid has a background, and we see how they’ve changed. It’s very special. The love we receive from them is different. Their love is so sincere and pure.” -Johnny
“We have received a lot, so we have a lot to give. One kid said, ‘I don’t want to stop coming here because this is the only place I feel safe.’ I want them to experience the true love I found.” -Oscar
| Ready to RISE? With more than 500 FCA Camps to choose from throughout the world, there's sure to be one in your area. For more information and to register, visit www.fcacamps.org or call (866) ANY-CAMP. |
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