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North Metro FCA
To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
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What are you up to this summer? Whatever you're doing, it should include FCA Camp!!
You should come to Leadership Camp if you:
>> Are a Christian Athlete who loves Jesus & Sport
>> Want to grow as a Christ-centered leader
>> Lead or want to lead an FCA huddle on your campus
You should come to Sports Camp if you:
>> Desire outstanding instructional skill development and intense competition in your sport - Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Softball, or Volleyball
>> Want to grow as an athlete in all three dimensions: Physical (Skills), Emotional (Motivation), Spiritual (Why We Play)
Learn all about the camps we have to offer at https://www.minnesotafca.org/camp
#FCA247
It’s time for North Metro FCA’s “Huddle Highlight.” Check out what’s happening at Anoka High School’s FCA.
📅 When and where does your huddle meet?
The Anoka High School FCA huddle meets once a month on a Sunday (usually) to ensure that all our student leaders can attend. As many of our student leaders are in PSEO, meeting in the morning on a weekly basis at Anoka High School was not something we could do as a full group. However, in addition to those monthly meetings, I often have bi-weekly check-ins with student leaders who can make it to my classroom in the morning to see how they are doing and catch up together.
✅ What do you typically do at your huddle meetings?
At a typical huddle check-in, I will bring in donuts or something fun for students to munch in while we chat about how their small groups have been going. We also sometimes brainstorm next month's large group event and do some planning! Some days, it's a place for students to ask hard questions that they need help processing with their fellow leaders and I regarding small groups, faith, school, friendship, etc. It is a place where we can pray and support one another in whatever ways they may present themselves and look to God's word for His truth.
Our weekend huddles usually include dinner, a sharing of our highs and lows, a message or encouragement by myself or Zach Hansen, and then some time for us to dig into the word together.
💙 In what ways has FCA served your school/community at large?
One way that I have seen FCA serve our school or community is simply by allowing spaces for students to engage with their peers about their faith in a safe space. This organization is so cool because it not only equips students to be leaders, but supports the creation of communities within a school or community for peers, by their peers, to lift one another up.
💭 If someone wanted to join your huddle, what should they do?
Contact me, Ms. Benson! Or their small group leader if they have one! We would love to have anyone join who feels called to be a leader in this way! #fca247
A few days ago, coach and pastor, Ray Fritz, along with student leader, Maria Harry, shared at the 2nd Annual East Metro Compass Educator Breakfast.
Ray shared about a student who came to relationship with Jesus at Anoka High School's Bibles and Breakfast club while reading an FCA Bible. 3 months later, the student was baptized. She invited her family who didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. During her baptism, her mom gave her life to Christ!
Student leader, Maria Harry, shared how she accepted Jesus while reading Isaiah 53. Maria has gone on to lead at Anoka High School FCA and attend Northland FCA's Leadership Camp.
Coach Fritz and Maria were an encouragement to the teachers and school staff who attended this breakfast. We are thankful for coaches and students like these two!
#fca247
Osseo Senior High FCA met last Sunday to hear from @bethelumn's cross country and track runner, Lydia Gessner. Our Area Director, Dave Frasier, and Area Rep, Dwight Nelson, stopped in to meet the students and huddle leaders who run Osseo Senior High School's FCA. They were super welcoming and we had a great time. What a cool group of people!
#fca #fca247
11th grader, Andover High School student-athlete, Cameron Begalle, was selected as this month's featured Student Spotlight. Check out what he has to say about
1️⃣ What hobbies/interests do you have?
🏈 Football, 🏀 Basketball, 🏆 Track, and hanging out with family and friends.
2️⃣ Why did you decide to be involved with FCA?
I thought it was a great way to express my faith with people with the same mindset.
3️⃣ What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
It’s helped me grow closer to God, making stressful moments in my sports less stressful and more enjoyable.
Why celebrate just 1️⃣ Huddle Coach, when you can celebrate 2️⃣ ?!? Hear from Spring Lake Park FCA's Huddle Coaches, Ben and Aminta Geisler. 📚
🏈 What do you love about your sport?
(Aminta) "I love getting to talk with the students about how they can shine a light on and off the field, as well as what they can do to build strong faith muscles. Sports can be such an amazing training ground for what lies ahead in the real world: challenge, adversity and lots of determination needed. "
✝ How does your relationship with Christ affect your ability to coach?
(Ben) "I’ve been fired twice. (Technically I was asked to resign…) That was really hard both times. You put so much time and effort into your craft. You pour your heart into those kids. Often we find our identity from that title “coach”. In hindsight I can see God’s hand in it all. I can see how he used it to soften me and align my priorities. I can see how it allowed me to be home with my family where I may have missed that otherwise. It was a gift, but not one that I was hoping to receive."
📖 What verse or Bible story helps you keep your eyes on God as you coach?
(Aminta) "The book of Ruth is one of my all time favorites. She found herself in an impossible situation, but she trusted God and He did the redemptive work in her life. Ruth was loyal, humble and courageous... and because of it, God could do the impossible. Therefore, that is the posture I try to take before the Lord. Open hands, on my knees, and ready to say "yes" to whatever he asks me to do. It keeps me focused on the main thing: doing the good work he has planned for me to do."
❤️ What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
(Ben) "The biggest impact FCA has had on me is that it really gave me permission to coach with Christ as the center. I have simple goals like winning games/championships, but FCA has helped me to fashion my purpose. It has allowed me to narrow my focus to not only impact kids, but also to invite them to know Jesus. THAT is where hope exists."
#FCA #fca247
Since we have lots of new followers, we figured we were due for some introductions! 👋
📢 Hear from our North Metro staff, Dave, Dwight, and Zach in this week's "Monday Memo."
We are thrilled that you are part of our community and look forward to sharing more with you these upcoming months. 🗓 Stay tuned for more. 🎥
It’s time for North Metro FCA’s “Huddle Highlight.” Check out what’s happening at St. Francis high school’s FCA.
📅 When and where does your huddle meet?
We meet every other Wednesday morning before school in Mr. Loukinen's room.
✅ What do you typically do at your huddle meetings?
We start off every meeting with some small group time, and then either a student or a teacher gives a devo. Then we end with some time to talk in small groups.
💙 In what ways has FCA served your school/community at large?
Our goal is to make a positive impact on campus and in the community. We want to display God's love with anyone we come in contact with.
💭 If someone wanted to join your huddle, what should they do?
They can either talk to a student who is already involved or talk with Mr. Loukinen. We would love to have new students!
This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to Saint Francis High School's senior softball player, @sena.ruid! Check out what Sena has to say about her hobbies, faith, and involvement with FCA.
🏐 What hobbies/interests do you have?
When I’m not working out or going on walks with my dog 🐶, I’m getting coffee ☕ with my friends or spending way too much money 💸 shopping 😁
✝️ Why did you decide to be involved with FCA?
My dad used to work at a school 📚 with a pretty strong FCA. I actually went and spoke one time and it inspired me to start something similar at my school. Ultimately, I felt both my school and myself were lacking the presence of Jesus. God put it on my heart to shine ✨ some light on my school! I thought no better way than to involve God, sports, and school! 🙌
💭 What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
Connecting faith and sport has always been super big for me. Starting an FCA huddle at my school only made it more important. I play with an AO1 (Audience of One) mindset!☝ This has helped me become more thankful plus just play knowing no matter what happens I will always be a child of God! ✝️ YHWH!
It’s giving Tuesday! Please consider giving to the North Metro to support all these awesome students and coaches, who are on the front lines of the battlefield for Jesus Christ and his mission! Click here to donate!! https://my.fca.org/?form=mnnorthmetrofca&keyword=North%20metro #fca #fcagreater #givingtuesday
We are only 2 days away from closing our Give to Max Campaign, which has matching funds available for new donors! Every donation counts, with an unlocking of $500 for every 10 new donors.
If you think about it, you and your friends could each give enough to cover what you pay for lunch. When you do, another $500 gets added to it. That’s the kind of math we like!!
Share this reel on your stories and reach out to your friends and family to help us unlock these matching funds by Wednesday, November 23rd.
What better way to celebrate the upcoming basketball season than learning about one of FCA's Huddle Coaches, Aaron Youngberg, from Coon Rapids High School. 📚
🏀 What do you love about your sport?
I love the versatility of basketball and what it requires of the athlete. It requires explosiveness, quickness, gracefulness, power, mental fortitude, and a variety of skills from dribbling to shooting to defending and footwork. The amount of time and intentionality that it takes to hone each of these skills in order to do them effortlessly and without thinking really is fun to help develop in my athletes. The other part of the versatility of the game is the different styles any game can take. There can be the bruising and physical game, the run and gun, full court presses, the defensive battle, half court offensive efficiency, the rebounding battle, and the transition game coming off of defensive prowess. The basketball player has to be able to play each of these styles effectively, often within the same game, and that is what makes basketball so fun.
✝ How does your relationship with Christ affect your ability to coach?
My relationship with Christ provides the foundation of my coaching. I look at every athlete as a son of God, just like I am. At the same time, in the role of coach, you are entrusted with a discipling role. This is something I take very seriously and as intentionally as I can. FCA is a huge help in the preparation of coaches to effectively serve this role for our Athletes.
📖 What verse or Bible story helps you keep your eyes on God as you coach?
My hope for all my athletes and in my sport is to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. It doesn't take a whole lot to stand out in the world of sports, which can be crass, prideful, cutthroat, and self serving. By bringing the demeanor, standards, and teachings of Christ to my work, I can serve a small role in being salt in light in a challenging environment.
It’s time for North Metro FCA’s “Huddle Highlight.” Check out what’s happening at Andover high school’s FCA.
📅 When and where does your huddle meet?
We meet at Andover high school at 7am on Friday mornings.
✅ What do you typically do at your huddle meetings?
First we always have donuts every time we meet. Next, we share how we have felt God touch and guide us since the last huddle. We then read a specific passage from the Bible, break it down, and reflect on what it is trying to say and how we can listen and use Gods word in our day to day life. Finally we end in prayer.
💙 In what ways has FCA served your school/community at large?
The biggest way is that it has brought all of us together and helped us walk with Christ. In public school it can be really hard to find community and fellowship with other Christians and FCA has brought and continues to bring so many people together to study the word of God. We also have some service projects in the works to help out our community.
💭 If someone wanted to join your huddle, what should they do?
You can just show up to any huddle and join us anytime and everyone is welcome. We recommend that you follow us on instagram (@andoverfca_ ) and join the group me through the link in our instagram bio. These two ways are how we communicate for any updates, huddles, and parties.
This month we have the privilege of introducing Andover High School's junior volleyball player, Lila Epp! Take a look at what Lila has to say about her life and involvement with FCA.
🏐 What hobbies/interests do you have?
I play volleyball (school and club), and I'm in choir at school. I also take piano lessons, and I love all things music. 🎼 I really like hiking, camping ⛺️, watching sunsets, and getting coffee ☕ with friends!
✝️ Why did you decide to be involved with FCA?�
I got involved with FCA freshman year, when my friend and I decided to start going to meetings. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone, and I I liked knowing there were people at my school who shared my faith, so that's really what made me want to get more involved!
💭 What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
I think FCA has helped me become a better teammate on the court because it's helping me take the focus off of myself and my performance, and instead shift it to encouraging my teammates and building them up. ⬆️ Off the court, it's helped me connect with people on a deeper level and make my relationships stronger, as well as helped me get more comfortable sharing my faith with those around me. 🙏
#fca #fcagreater @andoverfca_
This month, we have the privilege of introducing Anoka High School's Huddle Coach, Greta Benson. Greta is an English Teacher at Anoka High School and was involved with swimming growing up. This is her first year supporting Anoka's FCA Huddle and we are incredibly grateful that she is part of our team!
1. How does your relationship with Christ affect your ability to coach?
My hope is to always portray my relationship with Christ through my actions and deeds. We are called to be different (Romans 12:2) as we are guided by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. So, even when I am not directly speaking the name of Christ to my students, I always want my actions to reflect His word and desire for us. My relationship with Christ is what guides how I advise and support my students.
2. What verse or Bible story helps you keep your eyes on God as you coach?
As I enter into spaces where I have time with and influence on students, I like to remember the following verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” It is a reminder to me that our bodies are temples that now house the Holy Spirit. Our God, through the grace and blood of Jesus, is now accessible to us at all times. That is astounding! Our bodies (mind, words, & actions) have the ability to portray the work and words of God. I desire for that to be how I am as I work with students.
3. What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
FCA has offered a brand new way for me to minister to students in an accessible way. It has given me new strategies and new language to faith that allow me to better support students in a variety of different phases of their faith journey. In terms of sports and activities, I think that FCA allows both huddle leaders and students to remember that all that we are able to do should be done for the glory of God.
We’ve show cased our “Coach’s Corner” & “Athlete Spotlight”; now it’s time for North Metro FCA’s “Huddle Highlight.” Check out what’s happening at Zimmerman high school’s FCA.
📅 When and where does your huddle meet?
We meet every other Friday morning (opposite of Breakfast Club), in Mr. Bartlett’s classroom from 6:30 AM to 7AM.
✅ What do you typically do at your huddle meetings?
We usually start off with our greeting and recap of the previous lesson, give a brief summary of the Breakfast Club message, and then open with prayer, have our lesson, and then close with prayer.
💙 In what ways has FCA served your school/community at large?
It gives a connection for students to know that their faith is awesome and can be the light for others as well as the connection to community as we strive to serve others and grow as a student organization.
💭 If someone wanted to join your huddle, what should they do?
All students are welcome to join our huddles. There are informative signs posted around school, as well as using Team App (communication tool) that our students securely sign up for so that we can always be connected as a group that supports one another.
↪ We are currently doing a youth study on the power of influence, who are our most influential people and how we can influence others.
The North Metro Board met this weekend at @capstonehomesmn for our Annual Retreat. We spent the day praying for our schools, celebrating the work God is doing, and planning for the year to come.
We are immensely grateful for the members of our board who have invested in the ministry of FCA in the North Metro. If you or anyone you know are interested in learning more about our board reach out.
Nick Shade is a Huddle Leader at Elk River high school’s FCA. This month, we’ll share how this senior football captain’s involvement with FCA makes an impact.
1️⃣ What’s your position and stats so far this season?
Starting safety and backup QB.
20 tackles [10 solo tackles/10 assists] and 2 pass break ups.
2️⃣ What hobbies/interests do you have?
I really love to play football and hangout with my friends and just have fun in life.
3️⃣ Why did you decide to be involved with FCA?
The reason I decided to join FCA is because as I was growing my faith in God, I saw this opportunity to grow it as a group with my team and other teams.
4️⃣ What difference does FCA make in connecting your faith and sport?
I would say FCA has made a big impact with how I approach each game and practice. It’s like a gift that I get every day to play, and it has made me more grateful every day.
#fca #fcagreater
Tim Nelson is a teacher and coach at Rogers High School. He also leads the FCA huddle. He has been a teacher for 34 years. He taught his first 5 years of his career in CA before moving to Minnesota in 1995. He has taught and coached at RHS for the last 21 years.
He has been married to his wife, Susan, for 33 years. They have a son, Tate, and a daughter, Taylor, who both live in Minneapolis.
When he is not teaching or coaching, he enjoys golfing with his wife Susan.
Grab your friends and join us as Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action present, “Real Faith with College Athletes”
Come hear personal testimonies, ask questions, and spend time with your favorite college athletes from seven Twin Cities schools, including the University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas!
No registration required and it’s FREE! (Want more info? Check the link in our bio.)
North Metro FCA's Goals for Giving Tuesday are:
$48: Purchases a set of Bibles for a North Metro campus huddle
$70: Hosts a dinner for a discipleship group
$100 - $250: Provides camp scholarships, so more student-athletes are able to attend one of our life impacting camps.
Donate at https://my.fca.org/mnnorthmetrofca
#givingtuesday2022 #FCA #FCAEvery
Are you a current supporter of FCA MN North Metro? Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday and we would love your help!
As we post about our ministry and the financial needs that we have for the upcoming year, would you consider sharing our Giving Tuesday posts on your social media pages? By encouraging others to give, you're helping share about the work we are doing - To make disciples through our strategy of engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same.
#fca #fcaevery #givingtuesday2022
We start praying for the third category for our North Metro prayer - parents. The North metro area FCA staff are incredibly grateful for those parents who partner with us.
We pray 🙏 that unsaved parents would surrender their lives to Jesus Christ ✝️ and receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord 💚.
#northmetrofca #fca #pray #prayer #parents
As we kick off our 2022-2023 Prayer Campaign, we start in the Word. The Bible teaches us to pray...
1️⃣ In the name of Jesus 📖 John 14:13 - "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." ✝️
2️⃣ In faith believing 📖 Matthew 21:22 - "And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 🙏
3️⃣ According to God's will 📖 1 John 5:14 - "This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 🗣
#northmetrofca #FCA #prayer #pray
Our 2022-2023 Prayer Campaign for the North Metro is beginning. We ask you to join us as we pray for the students, teachers & coaches, and parents in the North Metro area.
Over the next couple of months, we will be using social media to share specific requests that our partners are praying along with us. Would you please take time to like/share/repost these prayers so others can be part of our prayer campaign?
There is nothing more important we can do than pray. We need to cover the North Metro area in prayer!
#NorthMetroFCA #Pray
What a night for Fields of Faith! #fof2022 #fcaevery2022
The @anokafca leaders put together an amazing evening which included worship, student and adult testimonies, and an opportunity for those who came to hear about the way to live a life that follows Jesus.
we loved seeing huddles from all over the north metro area, like @amsa.fca, @rogersfca_ , @andoverhs_fca, @maplegrovefca, @cphsfca, and @fcaslp coming together.
We partnered with @zionanoka to host a tailgating portion of the night which included our favorite, @chickfilacoonrapids_!
Thanks to all of those who braved the cold and came out tonight!!
Awesome couple weeks of ministry! 1st for to share the chapel message for Elk River football before the big rivalry game between Rogers and ER, then got to spend some time at an FCA retreat with great staff, finally got to attend Andover's FCA Kickoff at Andover Christian Church and meet Pastor Reggie! God is good! #fca #FCAEvery
Merch for sale!
Order by midnight on Thursday to get it in time for #FOF2022 on October 13th at 6:00pm.
Since this year's Fields of Faith will be held at Anoka High School, our colors are maroon and white. Want to see your school's colors? Talk to your FCA Huddle about volunteering to host next's event. It's never too early to start planning. ;)
Link to order your shirt in Bio
Fields of Faith is a student led event held to provide students, their families, and the greater community to collectively come together and share their faith and invite others to join them.
This year’s Field of Faith will be at Anoka High School at 6:00pm. Check out the swag you can wear the day of #fof22 (The colors are that of the host school. Talk with the huddle about hosting next year!)
T-Shirt link in BIO
It’s almost that time of year again. Fields of Faith is happening Thursday, October 13, 2022. This is a student-led event where students join together on an athletic field to pray, share, and challenge their peers to go deeper in God’s Word and follow Jesus.
It’s designed to spark a movement of faith and help change a culture throughout the schools and community. This year's Northern Metro #FOF22 will be at Anoka High School.
https://www.fieldsoffaith.com/
After a week at Sports Camp, our campers are heading home. Would you join us in prayer as they return to their communities? Some with support systems in place; others will be returning with newfound faith. God knows every single one of our campers. He knows what they need, their apprehensions, and dreams. We thank the Lord that he has stirred the hearts of many here and we lift them up in prayer together.
#FCAEvery
The job of a Huddle Leader is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They spend nearly all waking hours pouring into their campers, athletically, emotionally, and spiritually. Tonight, many will leading conversations with their huddle regarding God's love for them and the opportunity campers have to choose a personal relationship with Jesus.
Please join us in lifting them up in prayer!
#FCAEvery
Join us tonight in prayer for our evening huddle! There are a conglomerate of resources and people needed to make each night a success. (Give yourself a gold star ⭐️ if you know what 'conglomerate' means)
God, we lift up our speaker, @heatherflies, and our band @stumblingsaints , along with the emcees, tech team, and @northwesternmn staff who make our evening huddle happen. We thank you for gifting them with the various talents to glorify your name!
When you wake up and realize yesterday was real life, but it felt like a dream!
We had an amazing kick-off to our Elk River Jr. Sports camp. Our campers spent the morning honing their athletic skills, being poured into by our Huddle Leaders and coaches, and learning about how God is for EVERYone.
#FCAEvery
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God At Work
Incredible ministry is taking place in the north metro area of Minnesota. Our blog, "Stories From the Field" is filled with stories like these (click to read):
- Growing Discipleship Through Small Groups
- Sports as a Platform to Shine for Christ
- A Timeout For Coaches
- Coaches Ministry - Getting Creative in the North Metro
- Equipping Christ-Centered Leaders at 2020 Leadership Camp
- Coon Rapids v. Legacy Christian Academy - An Unexpected Outcome
- Small Act, Big Impact - North Metro FCA Donates Food to Local High Schools