Northeast FCA

360 Total Athlete Experience 2024

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:01:15 GMT

The 360 Total Athlete - Heart-Mind-Body

In August we hosted 163 High School and College athletes from the Northeast Region at the 3rd Annual 360 Total Athlete Experience in Massachusetts. It was a powerful weekend where God transformed hearts - 96 athletes made either a first-time profession of faith or a re-commitment to walk with Jesus.

Over the weekend the athletes were trained by a Special Operations Strength and Conditioning Coach, each evening they heard powerful chapel messages from a former pro football player and throughout the weekend they were challenged to improve in their mental performance through workshops. The focus of developing Body, Mind, and Heart was reinforced with competitions to test their skill and small group bible studies digging deep into purpose, identity and learning about who God has created them to be.

Volunteer Spotlight, Coach Melissa Letendre

jcavallaro@fca.org (Jeannine Cavallaro) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:30:01 GMT

Volunteer Spotlight, Coach Melissa Letendre

How have you been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes?

I began getting involved in FCA by using the FCA Daily Impact Play devotionals, I share those with my Cardio Sport class that I lead twice a week, I also share them with my crew and other people in my circle of life throughout the week - FCA has really amazing resources. Find Daily Impact Play

I’ve used FCA’s Character Coaching curriculum with my local high school’s varsity field hockey team in a Cardio Sport training – I was able to coach them in Cardio Sport and in a character lesson through FCA.

I officially started volunteering in March of last year – I attended the FCA Game Day event for high school athletes, and I volunteered at the 360 Total Athlete Camp in August – both were amazing. And recently I’ve become a Huddle Leader Mentor, where I encourage, pray with and mentor a high school huddle leader.

Why would you encourage someone to get involved in FCA?

I would encourage anyone and everyone who is a current or past athlete or coach and who loves the Lord to join FCA. Basically, anyone who loves serving, sports and loves the Lord. I would encourage them to start by looking into FCA…. use the resources available and see where the Lord leads. There are so many different ways to be involved with FCA -it’s a family of men, women, boys, girls who are fellow believers and share a love of sports and love of Christ. When you join FCA you gain brothers and sisters you never had before. Your faith will grow, and your life will be blessed. You will also discover new and more ways to bless others. It’s just amazing, inspiring, encouraging, and POWERFUL! FCA is the real deal and it’s such an honor to be a part of the FCA Team! I’m grateful to God for leading me to FCA and I’m excited and looking forward to what lies ahead for me with FCA. God is so good, and we are so blessed.

What is your favorite thing about FCA?

My favorite thing about FCA is the FCA vision, mission & values - Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Serving - these are all consistently demonstrated in all things FCA - The commitment to serving Christ and mission to make disciples who make disciples.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

So many I love, I would have to say that my go to is Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Coaches Highlight, Dominique Williams Sr.

jcavallaro@fca.org (Jeannine Cavallaro) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 21:26:32 GMT

FCA's Impact on this former BC Player turned coach

How has being involved in FCA impacted you as a coach and/or athlete?

The FCA Coaches Huddle has impacted me tremendously. As a coach, being able to build a network of Christian coaches, has allowed me to grow as a coach, educator, and mentor. FCA allows me to talk about my faith, gain perspective from others, and learn how to use my platform as God's vessel. I wish that I was involved in FCA when I was in high school and college.

How do you see God using you through FCA?

I can see God using me through FCA, not only to influence athletes but coaches too. This is what I love about FCA because it isn't only directed towards the younger generation of athletes, but it allows coaches and adults to share testimonies and learn from each other. FCA allows me to build a network of fellow believers who can lead me and help me lead others to a life with Christ.

Why would you encourage others to get involved in FCA?

I would encourage others to get involved in FCA because it’s very rewarding. Iron sharpens Iron, and every huddle that I leave, I never leave the same. It’s important for Christian brothers and sisters to be surrounded by solid fellowship, and FCA provides that.

What else would you like to share about your experience with FCA?

I’ve only been involved with FCA for a few months, and I am blessed to be a part of such a strong foundation. I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and it’s allowed me to grow in my faith and develop a deeper, intimate relationship with Christ. As a man, it can be challenging to allow yourself to be vulnerable and share your testimony with others, but Coach Jeannine has allowed each of us to get comfortable with each other while sharing God's word over our lives.

Athlete Highlight

jcavallaro@fca.org (Jeannine Cavallaro) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:30:54 GMT

Athlete Highlight - Merrimack volleyball player shares impact of FCA on her life.

How has being involved in FCA impacted you as an athlete and person?

I first became involved with FCA in High School. The idea that my sport could be used as a platform to glorify God was intriguing and I wanted to learn more about sharing my Faith. That curiosity led me to grow more deeply into a relationship with a loving God and learn more about His character. Through FCA, I also learned to not put my identity in my sport, my career, or my hobbies, but instead in Christ who has shown me my true worth through His death on the cross. I have learned that being an athlete gives me a unique spotlight to show Jesus to others through my actions and words because there are always fans watching. FCA is unique in how it builds community through fellowship and bible studies. I have made life-long friends and continue to be inspired by what I have seen God do through FCA.

Tell me about the vision for the FCA Huddle at Merrimack and what is your motivation behind it?

As soon as I found out that I would be transferring to Merrimack College, the first question the girls in my bible study asked was if there was FCA on campus. When I told them no, they all encouraged me to start one. All along, God had been putting it on my heart to start a large group Huddle at Merrimack and after I got here, I met Jeannine and we talked about starting up FCA. From there I was able to find a campus advisor and other students strong in their faith who could potentially lead with me. We launched and used some bible study material from my Huddle at my previous school, North Dakota, to lead Merrimack’s first few Huddles. God kept opening doors at each step of the process, so I knew that this was the right path. My vision for the future of FCA at Merrimack is to equip student leaders to be able to carry on the FCA presence for future years to come. Follow our growth at @FCAMerrimack

Why would you encourage others to get involved in FCA?

FCA helps you grow closer to others and to Christ. Campus Huddles create a sense of community and allow people to bridge a gap across different sports and different backgrounds. FCA encourages the message of Jesus Christ and allows for people to make connections from different denominations. The best reason to be a part of FCA is that you will be pointed towards the best relationship you will ever have: a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Coaches Highlight

jcavallaro@fca.org (Jeannine Cavallaro) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 23:08:20 GMT

Q&A With Coach Mike Montenegro

How has being involved in FCA impacted you as a coach and athlete?

I love the fact that FCA has helped me to merge my faith and love of sports in one place. When I first got involved with FCA lacrosse, as a player during the summer of 2007 (shoutout to my teammates from War at the Shore), I was able to fellowship with so many Christian lacrosse players from across the Northeast. I believe it was a pivotal moment in my faith journey, and really helped affirm my decision that a Christian college was the right choice for me. Now as a High School coach, I constantly find myself sharing the same principles with my athletes that I learned from my FCA coaches back then.

Tell me about your vision for the upcoming FCA Lacrosse clinic and the motivation behind it?

Myself and Coach Lane (Gordon College Men’s Lacrosse Coach) have been talking about this for a while and we have a vision to provide athletes with more than just the X’s and O’s of lacrosse. We believe that character development and the soft skills learned through sports are just as important - so when the idea of running an FCA lacrosse clinic emerged we jumped at it. We are excited to give New England lacrosse players not only high-level lacrosse coaching, but also the ability to explore their faith in a fun setting. (The clinic is being planned for October 2021 on the north Shore - details to follow).

Why would you encourage others to get involved in FCA?

FCA is a great opportunity to fellowship with other athletes and coaches and dive into one's faith. Whether you are a Christian or not, everyone is looking for answers to the big questions of life. FCA does an incredible job of merging these questions into their programs which helps athletes and coaches both on and off the field. I love the emphasis of character development that FCA brings and think these skills are imperative to a happy and successful working career and life. It is also an awesome opportunity to get coached by some of the best high school and college coaches in the area.

What else would you like to share about your experience with FCA?

I highly suggest checking out FCA’s 3D Coaches Academy. It is a great resource that can give you a better idea of how FCA operates in the sphere of coaching. It is very well done, and every coach will find something they can bring to their program. https://www.fcacoachesacademy.com/