December Newsletter

Refocusing

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Fri, 28 May 2021 13:00:02 GMT

After having to take a one month break from meeting in a coach’s Bible study and with middle schoolers at City View due to demanding sports schedules, teachers and coaches worked together to ensure that students were aware that meetings have resumed. This resulted in having the highest number of middle schoolers attended their recent huddle. Archer City schools stay strong with Youth Pastor Brad Johnson of FBC Archer helping lead. Holliday huddles are staying consistent and faithful with students like Morgan Davis stepping up to lead. I’m blessed to be a part of these communities. Pictured: Wesley Rousseaux leading at Iowa Park.

--Ashton Rousseaux, Area Rep

MSU Strengthened with FCA

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:00:02 GMT

As I sit and thank God for this semester, I’m thankful for how he has kept my little brothers and sisters safe through their seasons. They have faced adversity but continued pushing to be great. I’m so proud of them for them growing in Christ but also as young people. I’m very thankful God has allowed me to be a part of that growth. Thank you for supporting and believing in me.

--Solomon Orr, MSU Campus Coordniator

Hirschi Coaches Pursue

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:00:02 GMT

Fellowship of Christian Athletes continues to strive for new ways to reach our audience. The school huddle groups, Bible studies, devotional times, prayer time, etc., with our coaches and athletes is always meant to be flexible for the participants. We want to engage people where they are and help them move toward a growing relationship with the Lord! Recently FCA introduced a new study called Pursue. It is designed to help us pursue our relationship with Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. It’s exciting to see our Hirschi High School Girl’s Coaches sport their Pursue shirts.

--J.C. Eakin, GWF Area Rep

March 2021 MSU Soccer Update

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:00:02 GMT

MSU WOMENS SOCCER

I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the Women's Soccer team at MSU. I’m getting into a good rhythm of schedule with them. I’ve made connections with a couple of the girls. I even drove to Edmond and watched them play in Oklahoma. I also watched a home game with one of the team members while she recorded the game for the coach. Their season will end at the beginning of April. My desire is to continue hanging out with the girls I have already met and do things outside of the practices and games as the school semester and soccer season is ending. Thank you for your prayers and support as I continue.

--Jaycee Bruner, GWF Ambassador

Overcoming Obstacles

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:09:27 GMT

Overcoming Obstacles

I am so thankful to partner with the local church. As a parachurch ministry we must be looking for ways to better equip the local churches. During finals week, we will host the Henrietta High School athletics program and launch them into the summer. Everyone loves American Ninja Warrior, so we have decided to bring them into the school for students to hear about Jesus. I am so thankful for those who donate to make this happen! Please consider donating at my.fca.org/sampowers to make this event and others happen.

--Sam Powers, Area Rep

March 2021 Newsletter Archer County Update

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 14:59:41 GMT

Taking Time for Family

This month, my family and I took a much-needed vacation to Maryland where we previously lived. Upon returning home I realized how grateful I was to be able to serve God and people in the Holliday, Iowa Park, City View, and Archer City communities. Students such as Olivia Marks and Jackson Brotherwood at City View, Austin Lynn at Holliday, and Archer City youth pastor Brad Johnson stepped up to disciple their FCA groups in godly stewardship. The hands and feet of Jesus are moving-- holding the door open for a place for His Spirit to move and we see that he is ever supreme to a lifetime of worldly blessings.

--Ashton Rousseaux, GWF Area Rep

March 2021 Newsletter MSU Highlight

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:00:02 GMT

‘ ST ANG COUNTRY

It’s been another blessed and great month at MSU. I want to highlight a young lady who has truly stepped up to be a leader with her faith and in helping others. Ms. Avery Lewis is special because she is a big part of why FCA grew with her team last year. She led a Bible study for Rider High School this month as a representative for FCA. I’m proud of her growth and very thankful for her help. Stay being great! The best is on its way!

--Solomon E. Orr, Midwestern State FCA Campus Coordinator

March 2021 Newsletter Clay County Update

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 01:24:28 GMT

Snapshot of One Busy Day in FCA:

5 towns, 4 churches, 2 baseball games, 1 softball game ,

72 Gatorades, 45 waters, 40 trail mix packs, 20 packs of gum,

6 Bibles, 5 Shirts.

Why do I do it? Well this quote is the reason,

“What if we had 1 player accept Jesus this baseball season.”

Isn’t it wonderful that there are coaches that care about the eternal lives of the kids they coach. A snack is just a way to meet a player and open up a conversation about who Jesus is.

--Sam Powers, GWF Area Rep

March 2021 Newsletter WF Update

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 01:21:28 GMT

Wichita Falls Highlights

FCA in Wichita Falls is alive and well, growing as we speak, and COVID 19 has not stopped us from spreading the WORD! Huddle groups are growing in number and in student participation. Plans are in place for recognizing the work of our coaches, and activities for All Star Games will take place this summer! This picture shows sporting events are now outdoors where less restrictions are in place for the participants!! Soccer, baseball, softball, and track are in full swing with playoffs already starting. It's so wonderful to be able to be with the coaches and athletes with less restrictions. God is good!!

--J.C. Eakin, GWF Area Rep

February Newsletter

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:34:26 GMT

Director' s Note

January has been a busy month for our team as we are planning events for the 2021 year. I want to share a couple of the events with you and ask that you pray with us they go as planned. The first event is our Coaches Appreciation Dinner. Similar to last year, we are hosting this event at the Wellington Banquet & Conference Center. It’s exciting as our Reps have had a year to build their relationships with the coaches. Our hope is to safely fill the Wellington up with Coaches and their spouses. The second event is The All-Star game. Last year we had to cancel this event due to Covid, but this year looks like it will be a go. This will be the first Texas versus Oklahoma All-Star Game in Baseball, Softball, and Soccer. We will have more information as these events draw closer. If you have not had the opportunity please like us on Facebook and check out our website. Thank You for all your support. Mike

MSU & FCA SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

It’s been one of the best months on the MSU Campus!! We did something special this month, a great thank you to the Alpha Kappa Alpha’s and GWF FCA as well. Both our Basketball teams and Leadership from our football team stepped up and came to Washington Jackson to serve the students. So proud of these young people. We’re making great strides to be better servants. Thank you for the love and we’re going to keep making great impact.

--Solomon E. Orr, MSU FCA Campus Coordinator

BOWIE NEWS

This past month has been extremely heartbreaking for the Bowie community as we unexpectedly lost one of our beloved coaches, Rhonda Parr. Through this tragedy, Bowie ISD allowed FCA and churches in the community to be the hands and feet of Jesus with opportunities to serve, pray, and council students and faculty. The morning after the news of Coach Parr’s passing FCA hosted a worship and a prayer meeting in the Junior High Gym. Thank you for your prayers and support of Bowie FCA.

--Shawn Kirkland, Bowie Ambassador

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

This month I included a picture taken after a football game. I was able to capture several things such as the stadium light shining like the North Star, the players exhibiting good sportsmanship by kneeling beside each other, everyone’s attention to the coach speaking, and you may notice other things. What you don’t get to see is the prayer that followed this picture. This is so neat for me to be able to witness and be a part of so many scenes like this across Greater WF FCA. FCA allows a platform for prayer with our athletes that is so valuable to their lives!

--J.C. Eakin, WF Area Rep

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

--J.C. Eakin, WF Area Rep

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

--J.C. Eakin, WF Area Rep

CREATING COMMUNITY IN HUDDLES

Thank you all! Because of your faithful support, we were able to have Chick-fil-A provided at 2 new huddles along with donuts continuously provided for another 3 huddles. You are all in my prayers and I ask for your continued support in prayer. I encourage you all to keep meeting together and to show one another the love of Jesus by serving each other in love! I thank God for you all and may His grace and peace through Jesus Christ be with you all!

--Ashton Rousseaux, GWF Area Rep

January Newsletter

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 18:02:46 GMT

KICKING OFF 2021

As we celebrate the end of 2020, we are excited to kickoff 2021. The Greater Wichita Falls FCA is going into 2021 thinking about how we can move to the next level of ensuring every coach and athlete hear the gospel on a regular basis. To begin, we are changing the standard for our local board. The FCA board members have guided this team for 3 years but, as we look to 2021, we understand we can be better, so we are setting higher standards and inviting more members for the future. The second change this year is growing the team. We are blessed with a large team, but we do not have many females. A goal this year is to grow that side of the ministry. The long-term goal is for every male area rep to have a female counterpart, with that in mind we will need four more reps. We believe God has his hand on 2021 and we will pray that we kick 2021 and run each day at his pace.

Mike

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Hello! Several months ago, a newsletter was sent out announcing I was volunteering with FCA for the semester. I'm excited to share with you that I am now a part-time Ambassador for Wichita Falls. I'm excited to participate in ministry with you.

Matthew 9:35-38

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38, therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Faithful laborer for God's Kingdom, pray for me, and pray for more laborers. I'm excited to update you on more specifics of where I'm working and what I'm doing as we are figuring everything out. I appreciate your prayers.

--Jaycee Bruner, Ambassador

MSU MUSTANGS

It’s another great month on the MSU Campus. The kids are back and ready to get their seasons going. They are also ready to challenge themselves in getting better and in growing a greater relationship with Jesus. Stay tuned because we’re going to have a great semester at MSU!

--Solomon Orr, MSU Campus Rep.New Paragraph

HUDDLES EXPLODING

From the very first Archer City ISD Huddle in over 2 years with Coach Shad Hanna to the first scheduled Lady Eagles Athletics Huddle with Coach Cornsilk in Holliday and even new Coach Huddle leaders like Coach Cooper and Coach Brown at City View, the LORD has allowed wonderful new beginnings as well as faithful continuations of discipleship like our Hawks Basketball Guys Huddle in Iowa Park with Coach Lanham across our area, praise Him! To the left is Ms. Welch at WFGMS with our Friday morning middle school crew! Check out Lamentations 3:22-23.

--Ashton Roussesaux, Area RepNew Paragraph

SOFTBALL KICKOFF!

It is such a joy to be invited out to the first practice of a team and asked to pray for the season. I had the opportunity to challenge students to step up and lead a team devotion and form spiritual habits. I know that the small seeds that are planted today will reap a harvest bigger than anyone can imagine. So regardless if its praying or listening to a student who has had a horrible day, being there to share Jesus at all times is what truly counts!

–Sam Powers, Henrietta Area Rep

VERNON UPDATE

FCA ministry is a team effort. I’m seeking in the months ahead to raise up a group of student leaders who will take ownership of the huddles at their various campuses while I focus more on investing in the coaching staff.

I am also seeking to build new partnerships with churches other than the one I serve on staff at. With these church partnerships, the vision of FCA will spread to more men and women in our communities.

On a personal note, by the time you read this, I will have a newborn daughter! Please be in prayer for my family!

--Nathan Roach, Ambassador

December Newsletter

dmotley@fca.org (Doyla Motley) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 20:37:24 GMT

Director's Note

As 2020 comes to a close we look forward to the hope that 2021 holds. In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, we have much to be thankful for. This year has allowed us to fine tune our focus. We have focused on building our team so we can reach more schools in our area, including MSU. God continues to put people with a heart to serve Him in our path and that is very exciting. We look forward to adding a female rep to our area in 2021!

Reaching outside our comfort zone and doing ministry in more creative ways was a must. In the spring and summer, we focused on the coaches and getting to know them better through interviews. We had opportunities for one-on-one conversations to hear what was going on in their lives and praying with and for them and their families.

It was exciting as schools opened to see the school doors open to FCA and our area reps. That was one of the big highlights of the year!

2020 was an okay year. But, we expect God to do some great things in 2021!

Here’s wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! MIKE

BOWIE FCA MULTIPLIED!

As the fall semester comes to an end, FCA continues to expand in Bowie ISD! Recently I connected with First Baptist Youth Pastor, Dustin Reeves, to bring along Gatorade for drops at the high school boys basketball practice. With his partnership we have now started to serve the High school girls, Junior high girls and junior high boys basketball teams weekly.

Starting on January 11th we will be hosting weekly a bible study with the high school boys basketball team post practice on Mondays with a bible study for the girls pending upon approval. We have also been in contact with Coach Jaimie Hickey from the junior high on starting a FCA bible study this next semester.

Thank you for all your prayers, Bowie FCA is just getting started!

--Shawn Kirkland, Bowie Ambassador

Merry Christmas! 2020 has truly been a crazy year, but our family has been overwhelmed with your love, support, prayers and encouragement. As a minister, Satan attacks us in so many ways. The transition from student pastor to FCA missionary was tough at times. Regardless of the lies Satan tells, Jesus speaks truth! We have had the opportunity to meet so many unchurched students and coaches. This opportunity has opened the door for the Gospel to be shared with the lost. Thank you for being a huge part of this ministry! Together we will continue to reach the next generation with the Good News of Jesus and prepare them to do the same!

Love, Sam, Jessica, & Cohlson Powers

Looking back at the year 2020 there are so many things we can all agree on that were not really what we wanted!

In spite of the difficulties we faced during this time, we have been able to adapt, change, reschedule, modify, and whatever else was needed to be done to complete FCA's Mission. I believe Ephesians 6 clearly states that we are fighting against unseen forces. I am so proud of all these people for persevering during this time! I hope you can see from the pictures this month that the coaches, huddle leaders, character coaches, and volunteer speakers have been able to touch the area athletes' lives. Our staff has also done a great job of reaching out to our coaches to help them through this difficult time. Thank all of you for your prayers and support during 2020!

Merry Christmas, JC Eakin, WF Area Rep

VERNON LIONS

FCA in Vernon is not something I can accomplish alone. I’ve been blessed to have many young men and women partnering with me to bring snacks, minister to students, host huddles, and pray for our coaches and athletes.

Although I’m not sure what FCA ministry will look like exactly heading into 2021, I’m excited to see what the Lord is able to do through these willing volunteers. My prayer is that I can gather a group of students who want to lead out in their schools, and simply equip them to do the work!

--Nathan Roach, Vernon Ambassador

MSU MUSTANGS

Family I never knew how good God truly was until I learned to say yes more and just trust him. It’s an honor to be on the campus every day serving our coaches and athletes. I’m so humbled by the growth of our young people and young Christians. I thank God that he saw something special enough in me to be on this Campus at this time. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and the wonderful coaches and athletes at MSU. The year 2021 is going to be AMAZING, with God of course. Love you! And I mean that.

Solomon E. Orr

Midwestern State FCA Campus Coordinator

Persevering on through the end of December are the Iowa Park, Holliday, City View and Archer City communities! Athletes and coaches are ready for a much needed break but have continued to serve their schools by continuing FCA huddles and bible studies. I’ve had the honor of beginning Bible Studies with IP Coach Brittany Cray and CV Coach Matthew Cooper this month as we become more Gospel equipped to do school ministry! As we look forward to Christmas rest, we also all look forward to the coming of our Savior—Immanuel, God with us—during this time!

--Ashton Rousseaux, Area Rep