MADISON- Dylan Kridner, senior baseball player at James Clemens, knows his strong faith values can always be boosted going through his teenage years. He achieves much of that extra boost through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). “Yes, FCA helps point you in the right direction and it’s really a good thing for us,” added Kridner.

The FCA has a huge presence in the local high schools and throughout the world touches millions of lives. The organization is in 62 countries across the planet with over 18,000 certified huddles of local chapters. The FCA vision is to “see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.”

The local schools each have their own school chapter and is part of the Northeast Alabama Chapter of FCA. The student-athletes have a bevy of gatherings, many of which include many schools from across North Alabama, where athletics and faith bond in many ways. One such recent event was the annual Spring Sports Community Media Day where athletes and their coaches meet for an afternoon of fellowship, teachings and meeting with members of the local news media.

“FCA means the whole world to me as it’s been a huge impact on me helping me with my faith and understanding that God gave me the ability to play softball,” said Erin Chambliss of the Bob Jones softball team.

Carson Hirschler, a catcher/pitcher for the Madison Academy baseball team looks to FCA as a way to have a family away from a family. He said, “It’s something that’s been with me since middle school as it’s just like a family aspect. It’s really cool to be around people from different schools and be the part of the same FCA family.”

The FCA is initiated and led by student-athletes, sponsored by coaches, supported by school staff and meet on a regular basis. The basis of the entire scope of the organization is what the FCA terms “The Four C’s of Ministry.” Those include Coaches Ministry, which focuses on ministering to the heart of the coach first. When coaches follow their faith, the faith seems to transfer to the student-athletes. Campus Ministry, utilizing numerous “huddles” of the athletes and coaches. Camp Ministry is a term used where togetherness means time of inspiration and perspiration. Community Ministry is the off-campus opportunities to reach coaches and athletes through the club and recreation sport environment.

“I think it is a great organization to have these athletes get involved and FCA is something I need to get more involved in,” admitted Garrett Bodine, senior centerfielder for the Sparkman Senators baseball team and recent UAH signee.

Sparkman senior All-State softball player Taylor Davis, who plays athletics with a disability, knows her faith has carried her through the years on a softball field. Davis suffers from Erb’s palsy, a condition where she has nerve damage restricting the use and strength of her right arm. The severity of her condition causes her to catch and throw the softball with her left hand. She looks to FCA as a way to keep her faith through each adversity she has experienced and will go through in life.

“Most importantly to me, FCA brings out the faith in me and I’ve learned how to share my testimony,” said Davis. “FCA has helped and encouraged me to share my story and not be ashamed of it. I’ve accepted my disability more through the assistance of FCA.”

FCA began in Norman, Oklahoma in 1954. The newly formed organization received its first national exposure in Sports Illustrated in 1956. The workings of the FCA staff through the schools have become as prevalent as any organization available in schools. Forming friendships with student-athletes from other schools has become a huge part of the endeavors of what student-athletes go through at today’s schools and athletics. Relationships made through FCA demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and all that surrounds a person’s faith through integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.

“FCA is cool because it puts sports together and brings those to God and makes it personal,” added Kridner. “Being able to give God the glory is what it’s all about.”

“Being a part of FCA means a lot to me as my mother is on the FCA staff and is a big part of my life and has really changed me for the better,” said Chambliss.

Bob Jones senior softball infielder Chloe Johnson attended her first FCA meeting in seventh grade and she immediately knew FCA was something she wanted to be a part of. “Not only are you surrounded by people who have an interest in God and their faith, but the people involved all have the same bond with you in sports. That’s what I love about it.”