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A Purposeful Winter Journey with FCA
As the winter season wraps us in its chilly embrace, it brings with it a time for reflection and renewal. I'd like to share a story that resonates deeply with our mission and purpose at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
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In the Bible, there's a story about a brave young woman named Esther. She was chosen to be the queen of Persia, but she had a big secret—she was Jewish. One day, a bad guy named Haman wanted to hurt all the Jewish people. Esther's cousin, Mordecai, told her she needed to ask the king to stop Haman, but Esther was scared because approaching the king without being invited could get her in trouble or even killed.
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Esther 4:14 is when Mordecai tells Esther something important to encourage her. He says, "Maybe you became queen for just this moment to save your people."
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Basically, he's saying that everything happens for a reason, and maybe Esther was made queen at this specific time so she could help save her people from danger. It’s a message about having courage and using the opportunities we’re given to make a difference.
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This verse also teaches us that God has a purpose for each of us, just like He had a purpose for Esther. We have a choice: we can either remain silent and not act, or we can be brave and be part of God's plan to help others.
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As an area representative for FCA, I see the story of Esther echoed in our own journey. We have the incredible opportunity to work with coaches and students, to inspire and guide them in their faith. Each of us has a unique role to play in God's plan, and it's up to us to embrace it with courage and determination.
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We are incredibly grateful to those who have partnered with us in this ministry. Your support and involvement make a tremendous difference in the lives of these young athletes.
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Student-Athlete Spotlight:
Hannah Nilges
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We're thrilled to introduce you to Hannah, an experienced guard making her mark in her first season with the Pitt State program. Hannah brings a wealth of talent and leadership from her time at Division I Drake University, where she played three seasons (2022-24) and appeared in 44 games for the Bulldogs.
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In high school, Hannah was a standout player, earning recognition as a 2021 McDonald’s All-American Game Nominee and a three-time all-district selection. She scored more than 1,000 career points and played for the Missouri Phenom club, showcasing her dedication and skill on the court.
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Beyond her athletic achievements, Hannah has been an influential leader off the court as well. While at Drake, she was a vital part of the FCA leadership team, and she's continued to significantly share her leadership skills with the Pitt State FCA Huddle.
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Hannah passionately shares, “I have been a part of numerous FCA huddles and have seen the impact it has on college athletes. To have a space where you not only have people your age, but also in your ‘career’ that you can meet and talk about Christ which is so big! It opens up doors for deeper conversations and helps build stronger relationships between Christian athletes on campus! I love FCA!”
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We are excited to see Hannah’s continued growth and leadership both on and off the court. Her dedication and passion for connecting with others through faith and athletics are truly inspiring.
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Photos courtesy of Derek Livingston Media
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The Journey of Fellowship and Faith
This winter it has been my privilege to see huddles in Southeast SEK. There are a lot of great FCA Huddles led by great Huddle Coaches that have passion to see the students they are influencing to have and build a relationship with Jesus.
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I want to spotlight our newest huddle: Pittsburg State University.
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Nancy and I have long dreamed of living in a college town to work with students, just like those who impacted our lives. When we were part of FCA at Pittsburg State, there were over 100 students every Thursday night. Coming on staff six months ago, I was disappointed to find no active huddle.
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While searching for partners in ministry, I got Beau Schultz's number. Beau, an assistant AD at Pitt State, has been invaluable, introducing me to coaches and helping me start a huddle. God's plan is unfolding perfectly through Beau's support, providing venues and connecting us with student-athletes.
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Beau’s story is inspiring. Formerly the baseball coach at Independence Community College, Beau found himself back in the classroom after the team was cut to focus on football. Now at PSU, he sees God’s purpose in his journey. Beau gathered spiritual leaders from various teams, and we met with 16 student-athletes on December 5th.
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After Christmas break, our Monday night leadership meetings flourished. Our leaders preferred Bible studies over speakers, but are willing to be lead where God shows.
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Our first meeting saw 75 attendees having fun, meeting new people, fellowshipping and being challenged by God’s word. Leaders from different teams took on roles: Softball led icebreakers, Track handled prayers, and Football/Baseball led Bible studies. Bibles were given to students who didn’t have one. A highlight was gifting a Bible to a basketball player who later expressed his gratitude. We're building a strong foundation, welcoming all students.
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Southeast SEK FCA Huddle Info and Photos
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Students at Pittsburg High FCA in small group studies.
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Visions for Future Events:
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- Southeast SEK FCA Baseball Camp in June for 8-14 year old's.
- Summer Huddle Coaches Gathering
- 2025 FCA Game Day in the Fall
- Pitt State FCA Fields of Faith
- 2025 Pitt State FCA Alumni and Partners Gathering
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Prayer Requests:
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For our huddle leaders: Pray for strength, wisdom, and encouragement as they lead these student groups and help disciple the next generation.
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For discernment: Please pray for guidance as look at future endeavors in Southeast SEK FCA to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
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For new partners: We’re praying that God will send people who have a heart for the ministry and the vision of FCA to come alongside us and partner in this work.
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We are incredibly grateful for your partnership in the ministry of Southeast SEK FCA. Your support has been instrumental in helping us touch the lives of countless student-athletes and foster a strong community of faith on campus.
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As we look ahead to the coming year, we invite you to continue giving, or to start giving for the first time, to support our mission. Your additional (or first-time!) donations will help cover crucial ministry expenses and ensure that we remain fully-funded and focused on our work with student-athletes.
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To make your donation, simply use the Join my HomeTeam button above, or feel free to contact me directly for assistance. Your generosity makes a significant impact, and we couldn't do it without you.
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Wishing you and your family a blessed 2025.
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(Bourbon, Crawford & Cherokee Counties)
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“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” - Mother Teresa
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