Running for God and Serving Him in Ministry

Imagine running a mile in four and a half minutes. 

Did you imagine it? That’s 1 minute, 8 seconds to get around the track once. 

Once upon a time, a Minnesota FCA staff member not only imagined it; she achieved it.

She was the top (yes, #1) 800m and 1600m runner in the nation in 1993, and Becki Wells Staley still holds the #1 spot for the women’s mile in North Dakota and the University of Florida indoor mile. She broke numerous records and earned many state and national titles throughout high school and at the University of Alabama and University of Florida before running professionally for Nike and Reebok. 

Today, she serves as the assistant track coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and as an FCA Ambassador in South Central, Minnesota. She is currently raising financial support to increase her hours with FCA because of her love for sport and faith.

Family

She met her husband, Maurice, in 2004 when they were both living in Knoxville, Tennessee. Staley was a top receiver out of high school who played football for the University of Tennessee before signing with the Panthers. An injury sidelined him, so he went to work at a residential care center. Becki was also injured and got a job at the same place. They were married in 2006 and had their four boys in Knoxville before moving first to Ohio and then to Minnesota. During their time in Tennessee, Maurice completed his undergraduate degree and received his Master of Divinity. 

The Staley family moved to Minnesota in 2016 when Maurice took a pastorate at a small church in South Central Minnesota. He has since moved to another church and also serves as an assistant football coach at Gustavus and FCA Ambassador. Each of them is juggling several jobs, and their four boys, ages 8-14, keep them busy with a variety of sports (and yes, they are also highly talented!).

A Move toward Full-time Ministry

Becki recently made the decision to move from a part-time FCA Ambassador to an Area Representative because she believes so strongly in what FCA does. It’s something she wishes she had as an athlete herself and is excited she can bring it to athletes in the Mankato area. She said, “I love what FCA does because these kids have a lot on their plates, and unless you’re giving them the opportunity for a devo or encouraging them, their faith will just slip through the cracks.”

Becki also thinks back on the coaches she had throughout her running career. She had many amazing coaches in high school, college, and beyond. However, one coach faced difficult life challenges that spilled into his coaching. Becki said, “I wish someone would have caught my coach. FCA could have made an impact on him.” He would have first from hearing the Gospel but also by being part of a coaches retreat or study. Becki is hoping to have that kind of impact on coaches and athletes.

Becki says, “We are honored that God chose us to make an impact in the Gustavus, MSU, and local school communities in Mankato and surrounding areas.” After spending more than a decade running at a high level, Becki realizes that sports cover such a short period in a person’s life, but faith covers a lifetime. She wants to be able to speak to the hearts of coaches and athletes in the Mankato area, and she wants her own kids to experience the intersection of faith and sport as well.