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Beth Harrison, Hamilton Strategies, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com or Deborah Hamilton, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, ext. 102
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Congratulates Chicago Cubs on Historic World Series Win!
World Series MVP Ben Zobrist Tells His Faith Story to FCA Magazine
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Ben Zobrist is among a very small group of players who have won back-to-back World Series titles. And this year, he capped off his 2016 season with a double that helped give the Chicago Cubs the lead in an exhilarating Game 7 of the World Series.
Cubs’ fans are still celebrating, after a 108-year wait for the World Series title to return to the Windy City. And along the way, Zobrist had just as much zeal about his faith as bringing the trophy back to Chicago.
Zobrist trusts in the Lord above all else and has told his faith story to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) Magazine, which highlights testimonies from coaches and athletes at every level of sports—Little League right up to the pros.
“Here at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we couldn’t be more excited for the Cubs and the entire city of Chicago, whose fans have waited so long for a World Series win,” said FCA Magazine editor Clay Meyer. “It’s especially thrilling to see MVP Ben Zobrist celebrate with his teammates, family and fans, as he lets his faith play out on the world’s biggest sports stage. We congratulate the Cleveland Indians as well, on an awesome season and a hard-fought and excellent World Series. It’s amazing when the stories that weave throughout sports can also give glory to God through the talented players who praise Him in all things. It happened, Chicago!”
It’s been quite a year for Zobrist, who also won a World Series with the Kansas City Royals last fall. He led the Cubs with 10 hits in this World Series and is the first Cub ever to win the World Series MVP title. Zobrist first told his story to FCA while at Tampa Bay, stating that his last year of high school was a turning point for him, both in baseball and in his faith.
“I did a lot of questioning that year and trying to figure out where I was going in life,” he said. “I had a lot of anxiety that I had to release to the Lord. Finally I just said, ‘You know what? I don’t need any of this. I’d rather have peace. I’d rather trust God and let Him take care of it all.’ And that’s when everything started opening up.”
Read Zobrist’s FCA stories, with videos, here and here.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently announced that FCA President and CEO Les Steckel will retire at year-end, and FCA’s current Executive Director of Field Ministry, Shane Williamson, will take the helm as president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2017. Williamson has been involved with FCA for 24 years, and Steckel will depart FCA after 12 years of outstanding service and whole-hearted dedication to the ministry.
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 Beth Harrison at 610-584-1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton at 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096, ext. 102.
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 guiding values are 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 efforts on its Four Cs of Ministry: Coaches, Campus, Camps and Community.
- FCA Coaches Ministry focuses on ministering to the heart of the coach first, and then supporting coaches as they engage with FCA’s Four Cs through huddles, events, training and resources.
- The school campus is one of the most strategic mission fields with the vast majority of all youth passing through this portal. FCA Campus Ministry focuses on equipping, enabling, empowering and encouraging coaches, student athletes and adult leaders to impact and influence their campus for Christ.
- FCA Camps are a time of “inspiration and perspiration” for coaches and athletes to reach their potential by offering comprehensive athletic, spiritual, and leadership training through seven types of Camps: Sports, Leadership, Coaches, Power, Partnership, Team and International Camps.
- FCA Community Ministry is the off-campus opportunity to reach coaches and athletes for Christ through the club and recreation sport environment.
