Impact and Legacy of Minnesota FCA

In the late 1940s, Don McClanen, a basketball coach from Oklahoma, noticed that professional athletes were endorsing products like cigarettes and shaving cream. Companies had recognized that these athletes had a platform, and the world paid attention to what they said, did, and apparently, bought. Coach McClanen wondered if professional athletes could share the hope of Jesus from that platform. 

In 1954, after years of prayer and planning, McClanen and others launched The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. And they were right. Athletes, from the highest-paid professional players to youth club players, have a tremendous influence on those around them and the culture. 

We’ve seen professional athletes give glory to God for wins. They are intentional about speaking His Name when they do television interviews, and that makes an impact. But what makes a bigger impact is when we meet together, growing in discipleship, over a period of months or years. It is when we do life together that God moves mightily.

Becker, Minnesota

Dwight Lundeen is the only football coach to ever serve at Becker High School. He has also been the FCA huddle coach since his early years of coaching. The legacy from Becker is immense: 

• The 2021 Becker girls basketball team made it to State. Four of the five starters were FCA huddle leaders who have learned that their identity is not in who they are as players but in who they are in Christ. They were able to share that message broadly before and after the state tournament. >> Read the Story 
• Three of those starters went on to play college basketball and have taken that heart with them so that others might know Christ.
• Dwight’s son, Matt, who grew up as part of the FCA huddle in Becker, has served as the FCA huddle coach in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, for 20 years.  >> Read the Story 
• Nick Koubsky was also active in the huddle throughout high school and now serves as a key huddle coach in Sartell.  >> Read the Story
• Countless others have moved through the huddle at Becker and shine Christ’s love wherever God has called them.

Minnesota’s Urban Ministry

Minnesota FCA’s urban ministry team serves athletes at four high schools in Minneapolis. Many of these athletes haven’t had the same opportunities as other students in the state, but they are daily experiencing Christ’s love as they do daily life with football players from the University of Northwestern and Bethel University. The impact has been great on both the high school and college athletes. 

>> Life on Life Story

>> Urban Retreat Story

>> Minneapolis Ministry Story

College Ministry

At Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, huddles have formed on every sports team. Athletes are taking the Gospel back to their teams and meeting in discipleship groups on the way to away games or in dorm rooms late at night. College athletes are being raised up to be disciples who make disciples. Consider the reach as they graduate and go into the world. >> Read the Story 

In the metro, Athletes in Action and FCA leaders join together for a monthly event called the Training Table. Twice a year, they invite college students from all over the metro area and beyond to an evening of food, fellowship, and an inspiring message at Hope Community Church in Minneapolis. 

Coaches Legacy

Two fathers, Neil Fletcher and Dave Dewitt, have been part of FCA for decades. The coaches training they have received through FCA has transformed the way they coach – and live. In fact, their sons Matt and Dan watched their dads coach and have now followed in their footsteps, serving as head coaches with their dads now serving their sons as assistant coaches.  >> Read the Story

Small Acts

There is another legacy at Anoka High School. FCA student leader, Maddie, tapped Mallory on the shoulder and asked her to consider becoming a student leader, which she did. One day, Mallory seemingly randomly texted Malu, a girl in her neighborhood, to see if she wanted to go for a walk. Mallory had no idea how God would work through that simple text, but it changed Malu, and now Malu is moving toward leadership herself.  >> Read the Story

International Impact

Minnesota FCA even has the privilege to impact the world. We partner with Simon who serves FCA in Zambia, Africa. He is working with 3,000 coaches to transform the way they coach and bring Christ’s love to their athletes, and we are able to support that work through prayer and giving.

We do not have enough time or space to share all the stories of what God has done and continues to do through Minnesota FCA since its inception, but know this: these examples are being duplicated all around the state and the world. Coaches and athletes are growing in discipleship, building into new disciples, and multiplying the process over and over.