Flagler College Women’s Basketball Team Retreat

On December 27th & 28th NE Florida FCA hosted Flagler College Women’s Basketball for team camp. The retreat was intended to be a team building experience and proved to be just that as the team worked on team building activities that challenged the student-athletes to see that each was a valuable asset and has a key role to play in the team. FCA staff Justin Black serves as the Chaplain for Flagler basketball and continues to sow into the spiritual development on the Flagler College coaches and athletes.  Thank you to Good News Church of the World Golf Village for leading chapel and feeding the team.

One Word

Here I am December 26, 2011 looking back on a year that has experienced much CHANGE. There is not a better word that describes it as I have experienced this change from the very beginning of the year all the way up until now. Just to share some of that change. On January 1^st 2011 our foster daughter was reunited with her family; On August 1^st I resigned from my position at the Boys & Girls Club to join an awesome new team, Team FCA. Perhaps the biggest of all the change is the news that my wife, Shelli, is pregnant again!! (Yes it was planned) Some of the other changes are smaller in nature but have been more impactful; like the change in my priorities, habits, and thinking. As I was thinking about all this change and the theme of this past year, it got me thinking about next year and what I want the theme to be.  The word that came to me was GROW.  I have experienced change and now I want to be able to GROW positively from that change. The word change has been thrown around so often and as I was reading the devotional Coach WOODEN ONE-ON-ONE there was a saying that stuck out to me from Coach and it was this “Although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress.” So how do we make sure that my change produces progress? I believe it starts with a game plan and for me that game plan is first identifying the things that I want to GROW in 2012. I want my relationship with my Savior to GROW, I want my relationship with me family to GROW, I want the ministry of FCA to GROW. These are just a few of the items on my game plan but the question I have for all of you is what’s your game plan for 2012? I know mine do you know yours?

Xavier-Cincinnati Brawl

  For all those that underestimate the value or doubt the extent of a coaches influence and how it translates beyond the field or court of competition, I would like to submit this most recent case study as overwhelming proof. Last weekend the ugly side of competitive sports was on display as benches cleared and a brawl ensued during the last ten seconds of the Xavier vs. Cincinnati basketball game. It would be easy to focus in on the physical actions of the athletes because they are disturbing,graphic and grab our attention. However, what was most revealing to me was the post game comments by some of the players that indicate that the coach had no game plan for his team beyond fundamentals and little commitment to developing them as young men. Several players indicated that they felt “disrespected” by comments made by the other team before and during the game and that quote, “if somebody put their hands in your face or try to do something to you, where we from you gonna do something back”. This is an annual rivalry game! One would assume the coach would prepare his team mentally and emotionally for the obvious circumstances that would accompany such a heated contest. However, these comments reveal that the coaches were a miserable failure in preparing their teams to win or lose with integrity and humility. With the subsequent disciplinary actions (or lack thereof) by the universities failing to send the proper message to their student-athletes about real life decisions and consequences and the DA now considering criminal charges against the players involved, one must admit that the influence of a coach has far reaching implications beyond the game. What if these players behaved the same way off the court? Are we coaching to simply win games or to also help young men and women win in life. Mark 8:36 says, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul”. Sadly, poor coaching and the answer to that question were on display for all to see this past weekend. – Josh Q.

FCA 5k Walk of Faith & Run of Faith

Northeast Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes held our first FCA 5K Race of Faith & Walk of Faith December 11, 2011. Runners from all age groups came out to Mickler’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL to run in the FCA Race of Faith on the beach.  The day provided less-than-favorable weather, but created a race that required an extra push of endurance and strength! FCA would like to thank our Title Sponsor, The Jon Gordon Companies, for seeing a vision of families and friends gathering together for our one true cause – Jesus Christ! Our event would never have been possible without his heart, passion and idea of seeing people being drawn closer to Christ through a time of reflection on the beach. We’d also like to thank our amazing volunteers who helped the event run smoothly! You all are appreciated more than you know.

The first-ever …

The first-ever FCA 5K is less than a week away! I’m so excited to see what God is going to do through this event. At first, I will admit I was a little nervous about getting hands-on into the ministry with our first ever 5K… what a great responsibility that is! However, as we have gotten closer to the event our daily prayer and worship meetings every morning have really helped instill an indesribable peace that I know has only been given by God Himself. Doors have been open for new sponsors, participants and opportunities for the FCA ministry to expand into the lives of more athletes and coaches. If you haven’t already signed up for the Race of Faith or the family Walk of Faith, I encourage you to do so! This event is a great opportunity for your family to come together to enjoy a walk on the beach with eachother and with the God who loves you! You can sign up at www.fca5k.com. Oh and by the way – a big thanks to Jon Gordon and The Jon Gordon Companies for being our Title Sponsor for this event. He has gone ABOVE & BEYOND in supporting FCA and we are so thankful for everything he, and everyone on our board has been doing to make this event a success. To God be ALL the Glory!!!