June 15, 2026
Chicagoland FCA’s UNITE: Summer Takeover offers students a one-day experience of faith and fun
The July 9 gathering will take over Chapelstreet Church’s Keslinger Campus for 11 hours of worship, games and meaningful connection
CHICAGO, Ill. — More than half a million young people under the age of 18 live across Chicagoland, the sprawling region encompassing the city and its surrounding suburbs. Summer provides a unique opportunity for these students to try new experiences, build meaningful connections and explore questions of faith.
To help meet that opportunity, Chicagoland Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will host UNITE: Summer Takeover on July 9 at Chapelstreet Church’s Keslinger Campus in Geneva, Illinois. Held under the theme “Many Schools. One Mission,” the event will bring together students from schools and communities throughout the region for 11 hours of worship, team games, food, fellowship and opportunities to learn more about Jesus.
“Every day, we meet students who are looking for purpose, belonging and authentic relationships,” said Deneé Barracato, executive director of Chicagoland FCA. “UNITE: Summer Takeover creates an environment where young people can encounter Jesus, build lasting friendships and discover that they are part of something much bigger than themselves.”
Chicagoland FCA’s UNITE initiative creates immersive events designed to bring young people from across Chicagoland together around a shared faith in Jesus Christ. Summer Takeover builds on the momentum of January’s UNITE event, bringing back the same high-energy atmosphere while expanding the experience into a full day of student-led worship, games and spiritual growth. The event’s message, “United in Christ — growing, changing, leading,” challenges students to deepen their faith and influence their teams, schools and communities for Christ.
One student who attended last year’s UNITE event described its impact this way: “UNITE is a great opportunity. I see so many people whose lives are being changed. Our goal is to make sure everyone leaves here with the love of God in a way they’ve never experienced before.”
Another student reflected, “I think it’s so important to see people from different backgrounds and recognize that what unites them is their love for God.”
Barracato says that a sense of belonging is exactly what UNITE is intended to foster.
“In a region as large as Chicagoland, it can be easy for young people to feel disconnected from one another,” said Barracato. “UNITE reminds them that they are part of something much larger than themselves — a generation of believers united in Christ. Our hope is that every participant leaves encouraged in their faith, connected to others and inspired to live out what they’ve experienced long after the event ends.”
To learn more about UNITE: Summer Takeover or register a student, visit fcanwchicago.org/unite-summer-takeover.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA’s guiding values are integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.
Since 1954, FCA has used the powerful medium of sports and building relationships to reach the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same so that lives are changed for current and future generations.
Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chicagoland at chicagolandfca.org.
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To interview a Chicagoland FCA representative, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
