***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release January 3, 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
Shane Williamson Takes the Helm as President and CEO of Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Williamson Has Served the International Sports Ministry for 24 Years
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is starting off the new year with a new leader, after announcing earlier this fall that Shane Williamson will take the helm as the eighth president and CEO of the international sports ministry.
Previously, Williamson had served as FCA’s Executive Director of Field Ministry and has been involved with FCA for 24 years. FCA’s seventh President and CEO, Les Steckel, retired at the close of 2016 after 12 years of outstanding service and whole-hearted dedication to the ministry.
“I am honored and excited to serve alongside such wonderfully committed teammates, coaches, athletes, supporters and volunteers in leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as president,” Williamson said. “FCA is a ministry uniquely positioned, through the influence of coaches and athletes, to impact our world by promoting in sport the life-changing message of Christ. As a husband, father, coach and athlete, God has used FCA to grow and change my life, marriage and family in so many positive ways. I can only hope to lead in such a way that continues to give all who serve and support this ministry greater opportunities to invest in coaches, athletes and all whom they influence in the same way. To God be the glory.”
Before being named the President and CEO of the largest sports ministry in the world, Williamson also served as FCA’s Vice President of Field Ministry for the Carolinas from 2011-2014, Multi-Area Director for Metro Atlanta from 2005-2011 and the Area Director for Upstate South Carolina from 2002-2005. Prior to his employment with the ministry, Williamson was involved with FCA as a sponsor while working as a teacher and coach from 1992-2002 in four South Carolina high schools. That decade of hands-on experience allows him to personally understand and relate to coaches and athletes on a unique level.
A native of Loris, S.C., Williamson attended Wofford College, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology while playing football for current coach Mike Ayers and serving as an officer in the FCA Huddle there. He then attended Converse College, earning a master’s degree in secondary education.
Williamson and his wife, Angel, have four children: three daughters and one son. He enjoys coaching his daughter in soccer as well as both his daughter and son in basketball and flag football.
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 Four Core 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.
