Each week, dozens of students gather for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club meetings on the Dahlonega Campus at the University of North Georgia.
FCA was founded by Don McClanen in 1954. McClanen was a sports coach at the time and started writing articles for his athletes. According to fca.org, McClanen began posting his articles in the locker room and praying before games.
In a video on the website, McClanen said, “If athletes could endorse automobiles or cigarettes, why couldn’t they endorse this thing that was about life?”
Like at many other campus club meetings, FCA included students playing games, talking with their friends and grabbing snacks.
Club leader, Josh Haymore reviewed events that were happening on campus.
Speaker Aaron Mann, FCA metro director of Northeast Georgia, shared his testimony about showing humility in our everyday lives. Mann said, “He (God) offers salvation, forgiveness of sin, a relationship, eternal life. You’ve heard it, but have you come to that place where he says, ‘You know what, God? It’s about you, it’s not about me.’ ” Mann spoke about how humility can change one’s perspective on life by sharing his personal stories to connect with the students.
Once the testimony was over, students broke into small groups and talked through questions the speaker provided them at the beginning of the meeting. One of the questions said, “How could humble leadership make an impact on others on your team?” Students reflected with their group on how humility has impacted their sports lives, and everyday choices.
FCA leadership team member, junior kinesiology major, Max Garnett said, “I think this club brings a big source of community to the school, as well as a lot of spiritual growth through Christian religion.”
Even though Christian is in the name of the club, FCA Junior leadership member, junior business marketing major, Bailey Oetinger says the club is meant for all students.
Oetinger said, “FCA is open to anyone and everyone, we love to have anyone who wants to come, athletes, non-athletes, it’s welcomed to anyone.”
Haymore said, “So we are a student-lead organization, athletes and non-athletes are welcomed, so if you just love sports we would love to have you, and we’re just here to talk about faith and answer hard questions and share the gospel.”
If you would like to attend a FCA meeting, the club meets at 7 p.m. on the Dahlonega Campus in Memorial Hall. Check out this link to the UNG FCA Instagram page for more details University of North GA FCA (@ung_fca) • Instagram photos and videos.
