Minnesota FCA's Global Partnerships
For decades, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes focused its ministry within the United States. In 2013, FCA officially launched FCA International, expanding the mission to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church, worldwide.
To support this growth, FCA adopted an “align and assign” model, pairing each U.S. region with a global region. This strategy builds long-term relationships, strengthens accountability, and ensures that every part of the world receives prayer, support, and partnership.
Currently,
Minnesota FCA partners with sports ministry leaders in the following Southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
These ministries are led by passionate local leaders. Meet Graciano, Toloane, Chris, Roy, and Selina who are reaching coaches and athletes in their countries every day.
Our partnership with these leaders is lived out when coaches, athletes, donors, volunteers and FCA staff come alongside these teammates through FCA’s simple strategy of PRAY, GIVE, GO.
We pray for the Gospel to spread throughout Southern Africa, for God to raise up sports ministry leaders in every community, and for protection and wisdom for the leaders already serving.
Through financial support, fundraising events, MyFCA online giving, and donated sports and ministry gear, we help equip ministries to reach coaches and athletes with the message of Christ.
Teams from FCA's Northland region (Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin) travel to serve alongside our partners through four types of trips:
- Sports Trips – Camps, clinics, and outreach through sport
- Training Trips – Leadership development and ministry training (E3, 360 Coach, etc.)
- Vision Trips – Learning firsthand what ministry looks like on the ground
- Reverse Trips – Hosting international leaders in the U.S. to strengthen relationships and ministry learning
FCA trips invite us to take a step of faith and answer the call to serve so that we can share God’s love in practical ways. These trips are about building relationships, encouraging communities, and being the hands and feet of Christ.
Our FCA team partners with local leaders to serve through outreach and discipleship. We pray that God will use us to bring hope, encouragement, and a clear message of the Gospel to all we meet.
Time and time again we see that these missions transform not only the communities we serve, but also the coaches and athletes who go.
This was true for a team of 14 students and 6 adults from Pine City, Minnesota, along with FCA staff and leaders, who spent months preparing for a mission trip to Botswana in the summer of 2025. They raised over $110,000 and packed 23 bags full of sports camp equipment like basketballs, volleyballs and nets, pickleball gear, wiffleball gear, cones, and much more. The team was excited and ready to be on mission for Jesus in Botswana.
The team spent much of the time on mission building relationships. They learned to listen to God’s leading, discovered that the Gospel itself was more than enough, and learned that God often does His greatest work when we rely on Him the most. Coaches and athletes returned home changed, having seen firsthand that God does not need perfect plans, perfect conditions, or perfect preparation to change lives.
He simply asks us to go.
FCA staff member, Carson Sharp, shared the following about the Botswana mission trip:
"One of the biggest blessings of my time in Botswana was watching the Pine City huddle students step into action and live out the Gospel in real ways. They shared the Gospel with boldness, prayed over kids, and made them feel seen and loved. It reminded me how powerful our presence can be. There were times we didn’t even need words, just passing a soccer ball around together instantly brought joy and connection and subsequently opened doors for ministry."
Carson also said that "being in Botswana made all of us aware of how much we take for granted here at home. The trip continually brought us back to the truth that Jesus is truly all we need."
With Southwest MN FCA praying about a future trip to Southern Africa, we asked Carson for some encouragement as we position our hearts with where God is leading.
"My encouragement for those anticipating a mission trip is to PRAY for the coaches and athletes you will be interacting with. Pray that they would understand the Gospel and continue the Lord’s work of sharing the love of Jesus in their communities long after you leave. I would encourage you to GIVE to our partners overseas so the ministry there is able to thrive; every dollar truly goes a long way. And lastly, GO. I genuinely believe everyone should step into an opportunity to serve overseas. It gives you a fresh perspective and a deeper appreciation for what God is doing around the world."
PRAY. GIVE. GO.
None of this ministry happens without faithful partners. Every prayer lifted, every dollar given, every piece of equipment and minute of time donated helps create opportunities for coaches and athletes to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
In this single mission trip students and volunteers from Pine City, Minnesota were able to travel across the world, stand alongside local leaders, and share the Gospel with hundreds of young athletes in Botswana. The impact goes far beyond this singular trip - it strengthens ministries, encourages leaders, and plants seeds of faith that will continue to grow for years to come.
FCA VISION: To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
FCA MISSION: To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
A special thank you to our FCA International Team for carrying out FCA's Vision and Mission worldwide.
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