Newsletters Blog

It's here! FCA Newsletter May 2019

Thu, 02 May 2019 05:00:00 GMT

So many tremendous things happening in Brevard county because of what God is doing through FCA in the name of Jesus Christ.

Here's a look at what you'll find in this newsletter ...

1
Baseball Prayer Time & Landscaping
Praying on clay & digging in dirt

2
Community FCA Just Launched
These kids are fired up about Jesus

3
Golf Marathon was a Success
And there was a hole-in-one

4
Power Camp 2019 is this Summer
Students & volunteers can sign up

5
Announcing our Coaches Minister
Congratulations to Jason Arnold

6
MVPs are Reasons to Celebrate
Read what happened at the banquet

Click here to read it all!

PRAY | Luke 10:2

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

A few months ago, I was with a friend when an alarm on his phone went off.

I asked him if everything was okay and he said, “Yes. Every day I have an alarm set for 10:02 am. This is to remind me to stop and pray for those on the mission field according to Luke 10:2.”

And so, we stopped what we were doing and prayed.

Now my alarm is set on my phone every day at 10:02 am as my reminder to stop and pray -

And he (Jesus) said to them , “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest…”

Will you join with me daily at 10:02 am or pm as we pray for continued grow of this, His, ministry?

In Him,

Dan Carter

Brevard County Director

WELCOME | Rebecca Shaver

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

We are privileged to announce a new member to the Brevard FCA Missionary team: Rebecca Shaver.

REBECCA is devoted to serving female coaches, athletes and teachers while also promoting FCA in her area.

From an early age, Rebecca followed Christ and loved being involved in ministry any way possible. Whether serving children at Vacation Bible School, teaching peers as a leader in her high school’s FCA program or through the many mission projects she was a part of in the youth ministry at her church, she was always involved and loved every moment.

Yet, even after a summer serving as the youth ministry intern at First Baptist Church of Melbourne, she hadn’t considered working in full-time ministry.

Rebecca went on to finish a B.S. in Business Management at the University of Central Florida. She also traveled to several countries where the Gospel was widely unknown. During these trips, Rebecca gained a deeper awareness of how desperate our world is for a Savior, and she committed to following Jesus wherever he would lead her.

She entered the workforce in hospitality. But she realized that was not her calling. So, she began studying for a Master’s in Business Administration at the Florida Institute of Technology. Rebecca toiled in search of a career she was passionate about.

Then God stepped in ...

Rebecca was unexpectedly provided the opportunity to work as a missionary for FCA! But she didn’t think twice.

She is excited to see God do amazing things, through her, in her community. She prays God would use her and a team of volunteers to form a FCA huddle for each women’s sports team in the Brevard County Public School District, providing the opportunity for these women to hear and respond to the Gospel with their lives.

Please join us in welcoming Rebecca.

Before We Could Even Pick Up a Baseball ...

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Michael “Squints” Palledorous whispered, “The legend of the beast goes back a long time … before any of us could even pick up a baseball.” That movie, The Sandlot , goes on to explain that “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”

Today, through baseball, two men come bearing a message not of heroes or legends ... but of a Savior sent to us before we could even pick up a baseball!

WELCOME, JASON ARNOLD AND GREG PLECKI!

These two men love God and both played professional ball. And they’ve been called to help us launch Club FCA in Brevard County. Before I tell you about that, let me tell you about them ...

COACH JASON ARNOLD was a two-time All-American at UCF, a second-round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 2001, and spent two seasons on the Toronto Blue Jays 40-man roster. He founded and coached the Brevard Aces for five seasons and coached the Evoshield Canes for the past two summers. He’s also the head coach at Satellite High School.

Previously, Coach Arnold was a NCAA Division I college coach for four years, where he cultivated a long list of trusted contacts and friends. College baseball scholarships often grow out of relationships built between an athlete's coach, college coaches and scouts.

More than that, it’s his relationship with Christ that qualifies him to be Head Coach of our FCA Club Baseball Team ...

Jason grew up in a Christian home but was unsure about his walk with Christ during his college and professional playing years. His relationship with many close friends, especially Jason Schack, helped him reopen the door to Christ. Since that time 10 years ago, Jason’s faithfulness to the Lord has grown exponentially. He is a member of Georgianna United Methodist Church in Merritt Island, serves on the Brevard FCA board and is the FCA Huddle Leader at Satellite High School.

Jason is married to Jennifer Arnold and they have three children: Sydney, Grant and Rhett.

COACH GREG PLECKI ran the Cape Coast Canes travel ball organization here in Brevard County for three years. He also coached with the Brevard Aces for three years and the Evoshield Canes the past two years.

Coach Plecki has helped countless players earn opportunities to play at the college level. He is head coach at Merritt Island High School. A former Division I and professional player, Coach Plecki's network of contacts is deep.

Greg is married to Keegan Plecki and they have three sons: Jaxon, Griffin and Kanon.

ON MISSION TO BRING CHRIST TO THE BALLFIELD

FCA is integral in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to students, athletes and teams on campus . But it shouldn’t stop there –

There needs to be an impact off campus as well .

Of more than 36 million students ages 5-18 who participated in organized sports in 2016, a whopping 60% were involved with teams outside of school.

According to research provided to TIME Magazine, America’s youth-sports industry has grown by 55% since 2010. It’s now a $15 billion market!

Parents, coaches and start-ups are investing unprecedented amounts of time and money into developing student athletes’ skills. With an end-game in mind, families are increasingly turning to travel ball and tournament teams rather than traditional rec leagues or school teams.

However, being on the road every weekend leaves little time for church.

The TIME article says, “Only 2% of high school athletes go on to play at the top level of college sports.”

No doubt – sports promote discipline, health, comradery and work ethic. But even if 50% of high school athletes went on to play at a professional level, would it be a worthwhile investment if souls are being neglected?

Our answer: FCA Club Baseball.

Our Christ-centered, travel baseball team headed up by Coach Arnold and Coach Plecki provides a way for players to showcase their skills in hopes of playing at the next level while being encouraged to do their best on and off the field.

Outside the foul lines, players will: 1) be poured into by different Christian ministries, 2) give back through local mission work, 3) have a team chaplain and 4) work to sharpen each other as teammates at FCA youth camp.

Our goals are to help provide these competitive young ballplayers with a growing athletic and spiritual foundation built upon Christ.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for this endeavor – for the busy, distracted and lost souls of young ballplayers who might be brought closer to Jesus Christ for the Glory of God.

Please join us in welcoming our new coaches!

HUDDLE SPOTLIGHT | Heritage High School

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Travel west on Malabar Road to where it seems as if you are going to drive right off into the marsh. You’ll pass a about 100 head of cattle. Just after you pass the cow pen, turn right and you will see the newest high school in all of Brevard County, Heritage High School.

Heritage High School FCA first began in 2014 with a handful of students meeting in the “Popcorn Room.” Over the last few years, the huddle has grown to nearly 100 students meeting in the auditorium!

Awesome! But don’t be surprised ...

The huddle has grown because of faithful and dedicated student leaders teaming up with strong Huddle Coaches, Robert “Blue” Querry, Denise Peters and Tim Baker.

Heritage High School FCA has been blessed to have a faithful partnership with Pastor Dave Fitzgerald of Tomoka Christian Church as well as the support of other pastors over the years.

This huddle is such a wonderful testament to the Holy Spirit at work in Brevard County schools.

Next Spotlight – our Intern, Dario Suri!

Bringing On Jason Schack

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

We are thrilled to announce a new addition to the Brevard FCA Missionary Team: Jason Schack.

JASON SCHACK has been called and qualified by God.

He is a close friend, a passionate Christ-follower and we are extremely excited to have him join us. We love that he has a heart for God, family, student ministry and sports.

Did we mention he’s qualified for this ministry!?

Check it out ...

God’s mercy shined on Jason in 2013. That year, he was recognized as Melbourne High School’s Teacher of the Year , Brevard County’s Teacher of the Year and FCA Central Florida’s Huddle Coach of the Year .

Wow!

Amidst the excitement of his “best year ever,” Jason felt God leading him out of the school and calling him into the church. He became the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of Melbourne where he’s served for nearly five years. During these five years, Jason learned the importance of having a church home for continued growth in Christ and discipleship.

BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTH BREVARD, Jason played baseball at Melbourne High. His father Charlie served as Athletic Director for 35 years at Palm Bay High School.

Jason became a Physical Education teacher as well as a football and baseball coach at Melbourne High in 2004. This is where he first began working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes – as a Huddle Coach in 2008.

He also has witnessed the fruit of his own students who serve and lead their peers at school through the vehicle of FCA.

Jason is currently mapping out his transition with FBCM leadership and preparing to come on board with FCA as a full-time missionary. Thus, his official start date with FCA is still to be determined.

He and I would like to thank YOU for supporting FCA and praying for God to grow this ministry according to His will. Keep the prayers and support coming!

Please join us in welcoming Jason to our mission of bringing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to athletes, students and campuses across Brevard County.

Rooting this Ministry in Christ: Years in Review

Sun, 06 Aug 2017 05:00:00 GMT

In the 3 years since FCA was relaunched in Brevard County, we’re excited to have seen FCA’s presence in schools grow substantially.

From 4 campuses to 29 campuses. And on those campuses, from 4 huddles to 51 huddles.

God has blessed this ministry.

Sure, there is still some room for growth in this area. We intend to keep our eyes fixed on getting FCA into more schools and getting more huddles established for His great name!

But scripture charges us to be diligent as we go.

Just as Paul wrote to the Colossians, we must not let the work God has done fall victim to things of this world.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Paul encouraged the Colossians to stay rooted in Christ. In much the same way, our students and leaders must remain rooted so that they are not taken captive by false teaching.

That’s why we’ve given added attention to cultivating certified campus huddles and certified specific huddles last year.

The saturation rate of our certified campus huddles has reached a whopping 81% of the campuses where FCA has been introduced. That’s up from 14% when this all started.

We’re very encouraged by the growth in specific sports huddles as well, having jumped from 4 to 17 in just the last two years.

Wow to all of the above – praise the Lord!

As we ask you to pray for the growth of this ministry - including new staff and generous gifts - we hope to go even deeper in developing the leadership in and among these huddles. As God permits, we want to develop a discipleship culture that fosters spiritual growth in teachers and huddle leaders. The objective is simple: to help the Gospel message reach more and more students while fostering a culture where students can live their lives in Christ.

The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing through Brevard County. And we are encouraged to share with you all that God has done. It is truly an honor and a blessing to see God raising up leaders on campuses all across our county.

We cannot thank you enough for your support of FCA in Brevard County. It is with the donations of time, talents and resources – that which God has given to us – that helps FCA reach our youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

- Dan

Power Camp was Awesome!

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Remember that number: 15!

Because, by God’s grace, we’re pleased to tell you that FCA PowerCamp 2017 was a great success.

From June 26 thru 30, 42 leaders and volunteers collided with 56 students to enjoy five days of gospel-centered worship and fellowship. And sports!

Our FCA summer intern , Kyle Carr, who played professional soccer, and former Major League Baseball player, Jason Arnold, joined a great group of high school and collegiate athletes to help teach students the fundamentals of five sports: baseball, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball.

Dario Suri got our students fired up by leading the FCA worship band.

Students were fortunate to have camp Pastor Jason Schack share the Gospel message each morning. Passion, Pain and Purpose – all God-given – were the core concepts our students were led to reflect on.

Back to the number 15 ...

Jason unpacked Ephesians 1:19-20 on Thursday morning and 14 students responded to that message of turning to God for strength, proclaiming their intention to live in relationship with Jesus.

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:19-20

And the next morning, another student would proclaim that same intention!

In total, 15 students responded to the Gospel during Power Camp this year. Awesome!

What is humbling is that God is using FCA to stir the hearts of children in Brevard County. We are so grateful for the chance to be used by Him.

Click here to check out photos and videos of Power Camp 2017.