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Last night as I was working through lesson four of the FCA’s “The Starting Line,” the ministry’s resource for new Christians, I was given an analogy that really brought into focus what it means to be properly equipped in both life and sports. For me, that involves hockey.
When Tamika Catchings was in the third grade, she played on her first basketball team alongside sister Tauja. Her father, Harvey Catchings—an 11-year NBA player—was the coach of the squad that, other than his daughters, consisted of boys. The fact that Catchings and her sister were the only girls on the team is an interesting fact, but it’s not nearly as telling as the principles they learned from their dad’s coaching style. “We had to learn how to play as a group,” Catchings recalls. “My dad always preached about how it was a team effort. We got that drilled in our head.”
The magalog is a promotional piece that contains information FCA's summer camps. Read stories and find out more about this years camp theme.
Every year, a new magalog will be made available. Previous year's magalogs will be discarded.
Feel free to download the PDF below.
Give each person a copy of the following on a piece of paper and a pen. Give them a certain amount of time (three minutes or so) to find a different person for each of the “animal trivialities” listed. When they find a person, have them place their initials in the blank. If possible, try not to use an individual more than once.
Animal Trivialities:
Kati Poppert-Nebraska Cheerleader/Athlete
Pay It Forward-Give Back What God Gave You
Key Verse: "Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have." - 2 Corinthians 8:12
Kati is a great example of perseverance, and she has decided to give back what she has learned to others. Why is it so easy to just focus on our own problems rather than help others with their struggles?
Kati has displayed all the core values of integrity, teamwork, excellence, and serving. How has she shown excellence in her athletic career? What were the things holding her back?
Daniel chapter eight is not discussed as a lesson, but is referred to in Chapter nine. Chapter eight deals mainly with prophecies fulfilled in the Greek and Roman empires that are more fully explained in Chapters 9-11. So for the sake of not dealing with the same information twice we will move to Chapter 9.
Secure coaches are honest. They are honest about themselves and the team. Without being negative for negativity’s sake, honest assessment is critical. Total honesty about your past and current situation is the starting block for knowing how to proceed in the future. Sometimes assessment is humbling, but to glaze over reality will only hurt your effectiveness in the future.
Jesus stands in one corridor or side of the room and says, “Run toward me with preserving.” In very slow motion, the 3 runners begin running toward Jesus. At first, all three runners are focusing on Jesus, but only the person in the middle is running with a Bible. Satan sends an enticer of the opposite sex to pull one of the runners off course with the temptation of premarital sex. The enticer does this provocatively and leads the runner off course. At that time Satan comes and raps that runner’s ankles with the tape or rope and says, “Now I’ve got you!”
The reality that I’m a senior in college is finally starting to hit me. It’s a clear reminder that, in life, God takes us through times of transition. We all go through seasons that are no different than those we see in nature.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us that there is a time for everything. This includes transitions. And, while it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and fearful about an unknown future, we can have peace in knowing that God is in control. Thank God! I know I wouldn’t be able to handle this all on my own.
Often, before those transitions take place, God prepares us through times when we think we’re just “sitting the bench” or not “doing anything for God.” In those still times, He is changing and molding our hearts for what is to come.
One of my favorite Bible stories is David versus Goliath. David was smaller than the others, weaker than most his age, and by the world’s standards, not prepared to play in the “big game” against the Philistines. If we were to read the pregame report for this battle, he would not have been on the roster. David surprised everyone, though. He was empowered by his belief in a God who could overcome any obstacle or challenge . . . even a Philistine giant!
When I was hired as the new offensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans in 1997, I knew that we had big challenges ahead. The Oilers had never made that exciting trip to the Super Bowl, so when the owners moved the team to Tennessee, it signaled a serious intention to reach new heights. Pursuing a road to the Super Bowl was only possible through the grace of God, which motivated a group of players and coaches to work unselfishly together as a team. While at training camp that season, we discovered several effective principles for building a championship team, and these same principles may be applied to our spiritual lives as well, if we’re willing to think beyond ourselves and dedicate our lives to the bigger purposes of God.
The 2012 Ministry Report digital version features ministry impact, financial information and highlights, as well as allowing readers to take a deeper look inside the Fellowship of Christian Athletes through links to stories and videos that share testimonies of how God is using FCA to grow His Kingdom through FCA’s Four Cs of ministry – coaches, campus, camps and community – as well as its international ministry.
The digital version features links to videos highlighting the year in ministry, plus videos about FCA President/CEO Les Steckel and prominent professional and college athletes sharing their faith. It also delivers spotlight stories about:
Jake was at a crossroads in his sport. He didn’t know what to do. Should he continue to strive every day and work hard only to sit the bench? Was it worth it? He was at a point in his career in which he needed to make a decision.
Does this sound familiar? Many athletes face similar situations in their careers, and they wrestle with what to do.
Like most of you, I grew up playing sandlot football on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. In my neighborhood games, we would regularly change the quarterback. This made for some interesting play calling, but very little success. Quite often the quarterback would say, “everyone go deep,” or “let’s just throw short passes and get first downs.” As we matured and began playing organized football, we understood the importance of a playbook.
The Monday after our Saturday game was not easy. We had lost again. We eventually lost all nine games that season—a tough year. If you had asked our players how the year went, they would have said they were disappointed that we didn’t win a game. But the Lord put something on my heart.
I used to love going to airports when I was in college. My teammates, coaches and I would proudly sport our team sweats as we went through security, grabbed coffee and waited for the plane. As a bunch of women all dressed the same we were definitely noticed and we were never alone; we experienced the trip together. I just loved being a part of a team.
On almost all athletic fields, there is a player or coach who stands out and is considered a star. We give out Star of the Game awards for exceptional play. A player’s outstanding performance brings attention just as shining stars are recognized. In Daniel 12:2 it says that people who lead others to Christ is the equivalent of an exceptional performance in God’s kingdom.
Playing softball was like breathing.
Effortless, natural, a piece of me woven so tightly inside it sunk into my soul and became a source of life. It was born in my veins and tethered in my family’s history, a part of my destiny.
What is left to write about Tim Tebow?
We all know his resume: a Heisman Trophy. Two Maxwell Awards. As a freshman backup quarterback, Tebow used his fullback-style runs and old school-style jump passes to be a complimentary part of Florida’s 2006 national championship team.
Two years later, Tebow was a “part” of Florida’s 2008 national champions the same way Michael Jordan was a “part” of the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA titles.
Tebow led the entire nation in passing efficiency during his senior year. He graduates with over 9,200 passing yards, almost 3,000 rushing yards and 145 touchdowns via his arm or his feet.
What is left to write about Tim Tebow?
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