***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
January 30, 2017
CONTACT:
Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, ext. 102, or Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Announces Theme of ‘ONE’ for 2017 Camps Ministry
In 2016, More than 106,000 Coaches and Athletes Participated in 720 Camps in 40 States and 45 Countries Around the World
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—It’s true that one is an important number in sports. Every athlete, coach and team is striving toward that one championship or one perfect season. A team with one goal will show the world their purpose. A team with one heart will show the world Jesus Christ. When a team unites as one, there is great impact.
Today, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is announcing its Camps theme for 2017—“ONE”—based on the Bible verse Philippians 1:27: “… I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News” (NLT).
The “ONE” theme highlights the power and impact that one passion, one purpose and one goal can have on a competitor in sports and in life. Campers will understand how everything comes down to One—One Gospel, One Truth and the power of One Great God who transforms hearts and brings victory.
“God has the power to transform lives through the love of sports and the love of His Son, and for the past 61 summers, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been humbled and blessed to be a part of His plan to impact coaches and athletes for Christ,” said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “From the youngest player just learning the game to professional-caliber athletes, FCA Camps have been bringing life-changing impact to hundreds of thousands of coaches and athletes. This summer, athletes, along with coaches and their teams, will be pushed, stretched and challenged to grow in their sport and in their relationship with Jesus Christ through upwards of 800 Camps nationwide and around the world. With a theme of ‘ONE,’ FCA Camps offer valuable lifelong lessons, both on and off the playing field.”
This summer, more than 100,000 will participate in FCA Camps for a time of inspiration and perspiration. FCA Camps take the best attributes of an athletic-focused camp and a spiritual-focused camp and combines them into an athletic/spiritual experience like none other. FCA Camps remove athletes and coaches from the rut and routine of their sport, friends, co-workers and community and place them into an exciting, healthy, athletic environment that allows them to pursue their passion for sport and clearly see and hear Christ’s passion for them.
“There is great impact when Christian athletes stand together as one,” added Jeff Martin, FCA’s Executive Vice President of Ministry Advancement. “And in sports, there is great passion and power in the idea of one. Everyone wants to be the one at the top. When athletes narrow their focus and teams unite around one common goal, the results are unstoppable. As Christian athletes, we can accomplish so much more together for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ with one mind, one purpose and one goal; we can rally and follow the one true God who brings us all together.”
Last summer, 106,000 were a part of 720 Camps in 40 states and 45 countries, where 8,788 coaches and athletes made first-time commitments to Christ and 11,256 recommitted their lives to Christ. The 2016 attendance was an increase of more than 10,000 over 2015.
The life-changing impact on coaches and athletes has been the main focus of FCA Camps since 1956. Today, competitors who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training attend a variety of Camps:
- Coaches Camps challenge coaches in their faith and family life, and allow coaches to be spiritually, relationally and professionally refreshed. Coaches Camps are for single and married coaches and their families and are designed to minister, to equip and to encourage. FCA Camps minister to coaches through Bible studies, small groups, fellowship, prayer support, discipleship and mentoring.
- Sports Camps focus on “Training the Total Athlete” and develop athletes mentally, physically and spiritually. Sports Camps are for athletes and coaches who want to develop their athletic skills. Outstanding instruction, skill development and intense competition prepare the camper for future athletic competition.
- Leadership Camps train athletes to be spiritual leaders in their personal lives, on their teams and on their campuses. These Camps are geared toward student-athletes, FCA Huddle Coaches and volunteers who serve as leaders. The Camps focus on teaching practical skills for Christian growth, developing as an effective leader and preparing for FCA huddle ministry.
- Power Camps develop young athletes in their faith and their sport. Power Camps are typically for young athletes ages 8 to 12 who want to develop their sports skills. These Camps provide excellent instruction and competition through sports-specific and multi-sport focus. The Camps are normally day camps that involve the local community.
- Partnership Camps work with other ministries and organizations in sports ministry. At Partnership Camps, FCA develops a relationship with an existing camp to provide the spiritual program and/or the athletic aspect. This can include FCA Camp curriculum, FCA resources, speakers, Huddle meetings and staff.
- Team Camps equip teams with spiritual principles through competition and are designed to impact coaches and athletes for Christ through team competition. Coaches enroll their players to attend this Camp as a team. Team Camps are a great outreach opportunity, and coaches benefit greatly by evaluating their team’s talent. Team Camps serve the coaches by providing a wonderful camp experience for their players while building team unity.
- International Camps focus on establishing all of the FCA Camp types for coaches and athletes in countries around the world.
FCA staff lead the Camps, and the 4,000-plus instructors have been carefully selected and consist of FCA staff, current collegiate and high school coaches, professional athletes and current and former college athletes. They bring years of coaching and performance experience to FCA Camps and serve as role models for campers both on and off the field. Every Camp is led by certified FCA staff, and each director has been trained and certified as an FCA Camp leader. These leaders collectively provide years of FCA Camp experience.
Also taking leadership roles at Camps are FCA Huddle Leaders and Counselors—college student-athletes who work directly with small groups of campers. Each Huddle Leader is carefully hand-picked by the Huddle Leader Coordinator, through careful screening, which includes an in-depth application process with references. Every Huddle Leader is trained to become a certified FCA Camp Leader and is dedicated to Christ, not only at Camp, but also in their everyday lives. Once selected, these leaders take part in a two-day, on-site training program in addition to the preparation work they do before arriving at Camp.
To find Camps in specific areas or to inquire about volunteering at an FCA Camp, visit www.fcacamps.org. For more information about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit FCA’s web site at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fcafans or its Twitter feed @fcanews.
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To interview a representative from Fellowship of Christian Athletes, contact Deborah Hamilton at 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096, ext. 102, or Beth Harrison at 610-584-1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) vision is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. FCA’s values include Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.
Since 1954, FCA has challenged coaches and athletes to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles in local communities nationwide by encouraging, equipping and empowering others to serve as examples and to make a difference. Reaching approximately two million people annually on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels, FCA focuses its ministry efforts on building relationships with coaches and athletes in order that they might trust Jesus, honor God in their lives and help others do the same, ultimately becoming a “full-circle follower” of Jesus Christ. FCA reaches coaches and athletes through Huddles, events, training and resources.