From Launch to Legacy: The Power of FCA Huddles in Southwest Minnesota

At the MNIAAA Conference FCA Breakfast, two Activities Directors stood side by side, representing very different points in the same story. One came from a school with 40 years of FCA ministry. The other represented a school just four weeks into something brand new. They shared the same mission and the same heartbeat, even as their timelines looked completely different.

Southwest Minnesota FCA Area Director Robin Knudson brought them together intentionally. Matt Konrad, Activities Director at Lakeview Public Schools, has seen FCA faithfully impact students in his community for decades. Beside him stood Zach Stelter, Activities Director at Lac qui Parle Valley High School, where students had just gathered for their fourth FCA Huddle that very morning.

One huddle has been meeting since April 1986. The other is just getting started. Yet as they shared, it became clear that the impact of FCA is not measured in years, but in lives. 

What FCA Looks Like on Campus

At Lakeview, FCA has become part of the rhythm of the school. Every Friday morning at 7:00, students gather for food, fellowship, and time in God’s Word. That consistency is largely due to a devoted Adult Huddle Leader, Missy Loe, who has faithfully poured into students across many seasons.

The group begins each year with intentional events like community scavenger hunts or Olympic-style games. They serve together through fundraising efforts like the Homecoming concessions stand, and they create space for connection through a “Fifth Quarter” event after the game, where students can build Christ-centered friendships.

At Lac qui Parle Valley, the picture is just beginning to take shape. The huddle meets Wednesday mornings at 7:10, with 20 to 25 students already showing up consistently. What stands out most, though, is how it began.

This past fall, a first-year teacher walked into Zach’s office with a simple question: “Can we start an FCA Huddle here?” It was something Zach had been praying for, and he immediately recognized it as an opportunity God was providing. 

What followed was a process of conversations, approvals, and planning. Eventually, the door opened. Now, students are gathering each week to pursue something deeper than what the school day typically offers.

More Than a Meeting

It would be easy to see FCA as just another student group or early morning activity. But that misses what is really happening.

At Lakeview, Matt has consistently seen FCA students step into leadership roles in athletics. The qualities that define Christ-centered leadership, such as humility, integrity, and service, naturally carry over into team leadership.

That influence extends beyond individual students and into the culture of the school. An environment like that does not happen by accident. It is shaped by students who are being formed by the Gospel.

At Lac qui Parle Valley, the impact is showing up through relationships. FCA has created space for Zach and other staff members to connect with students on a deeper level.

“In a public school setting, conversations about faith can be difficult to navigate. FCA provides a place where those conversations can happen naturally. It creates room for trust, for honesty, and for pointing students toward putting Jesus first.”

What Sustains It

A huddle does not last 40 years by accident, and a new one does not grow without intentional support.

Both Activities Directors pointed to a few key commitments. Providing a consistent space to meet communicates that the huddle belongs. Supporting Adult Huddle Leaders like Missy Loe and Timothy White is essential, as their faithfulness drives the ministry forward. Prayer remains central, recognizing that the work is bigger than any one person. Ongoing investment, whether through time, presence, or financial support, helps sustain momentum.

For Zach, sustainability is especially important. With a strong group of seniors leading the way, the focus now is on developing the next generation of student leaders so the huddle continues to grow.

Why It Matters

Robin shared a comment from a local pastor who said, “I’m not sure there’s another ministry who gets in the doors of public schools like FCA does.”

That kind of access is significant. Public schools and sports are some of the largest mission fields in the country, and FCA is uniquely positioned to be present in a meaningful and welcomed way. It is an opportunity that is not taken for granted.

The Heart of It All

When asked how he would describe FCA to another Activities Director, Matt did not begin with structure or programming. He talked about connection.

Students gather, share food, and build relationships that go deeper than performance or popularity. From that foundation, everything else grows, including Christ-centered friendships, student leadership, and a culture that reflects something different.

From a 40-year legacy to a four-week beginning, the story remains the same. When students are given space to gather, to grow, and to encounter Jesus, lives are changed. And whether it is week four or year forty, that impact is just getting started.