Stories From The Field

Simon Mwanamoya was our longest-serving FCA staff in southern Africa. He used relationships through soccer to disciple athletes, equip coaches with the Gospel, and expand Discovery Bible Study across his country. Minnesota FCA is aligned with five countries in Southern Africa : Angola, Botswana, Seychelles, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as well as British Indian Ocean Territory. The story below is from Shelley Pearson's ( Northland FCA Regional Director of Ministry Advancement ) newsletter. ---------- After Simon was killed in that car accident in Zambia in November, I questioned why God would take Simon when he was doing such amazing ministry. And beyond that, why would God have us go on a trip there just days before He would take Simon home? What purpose did our trip serve? What in the world did God have planned? And again, God taught me that He always knows better. Because we went: We were able to build relationships with the Amazing Grace leaders, coaches, and athletes so we can encourage them. We have a greater understanding of the challenes so that we can better walk alongside. Dave (my donor that came on the trip and wasn't sure why God had him there) is mentoring Roy as he learns to lead well, and he has been helping to raise funds to bridge some gaps in funding so ministry can continue. God sent us because He was going to take Simon home. That is sobering. And humbling. And I am so thankful to be part of His plan. Look at these pictures. This was an incredible celebration on Easter weekend. As the Amazing Grace Football Club celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they also celebrated God's redemption for their team and for the ministry God started many years ago through one humble man, Simon Mwanamoya.

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” - Oswald Chambers

Last month, several schools hosted outreach events, creating intentional opportunities for students to hear the Gospel on their campuses. At Edina High School, however, those plans were unexpectedly put on hold due to administrative complications. What had been prepared for and anticipated, was suddenly delayed. But God was not finished.

Devastation. Loss. Fire. That’s what struck the home of the Wyse family this past fall. In the fall of 2025, Danielle and Craig Wyse (coaches at Mahtomedi High School) lost their home and all of their belongings in a sudden midnight fire. By God’s grace, their family was unharmed physically, but the emotional weight and uncertainty that followed were immense. In the days after, their community showed up (church, friends, family), rallying around them in every way possible. And in the middle of the disruption, they chose to trust the Lord. In the wake of this loss, they found themselves needing rides for themselves and their kids to and from both the high school and the middle school. It was in this season that something quiet, but significant, began to grow. For some time, they had been planting a vision in their daughters’ hearts: “What if there was FCA at the middle school?” It hadn’t taken root yet, but that was about to change thanks to a simple ride that Craig received from a middle school teacher. During the drive, she shared how impactful she believed the high school FCA was. She knew the Wyse family and mentioned their daughters. Then she said something unexpected. She began talking about the need for FCA at the middle school. Craig didn’t even know she shared the same saving faith in Jesus Christ. But she continued, sharing that teachers and staff had been quietly praying for a space where students could gather around Jesus and the Word, just like at the high school. Craig knew immediately that this wasn’t random. Soon after, they reached out to FCA East Metro Area Rep, Gavin Bowser, “Is this possible?” Gavin's answer was simple: "YES." What followed was something only God could orchestrate. Rachel Flatten, a youth leader to the Wyse girls and a middle school art teacher, stepped in. Laura Tussey, a middle school language arts teacher, joined her. The Wyse girls began inviting others to lead. And students stepped forward - middle schoolers with a genuine desire to see their peers know Jesus! And now, every Tuesday morning at 7:15 AM, over 60 middle school students gather to open the Word of God together.

"You never know what life transformation can happen on the other side of an invitation.” - Jummy Barlass

Returning Home She drifted further and further from her family, and her relationship turned abusive, both verbally and physically. "I found myself just like literally calling out to God in this tiny little bathroom in his basement," she recalls. One of the things Kielo prayed for was a job at a high-end gym in Chicago. And though she established herself quickly as a trainer, Kielo was disenchanted by the superficial goals from her clients. She started to see the potential for deeper influence, with the discipline needed for athletes — consistency, pushing through pain, long-term vision — mirroring the requirements of developing one's faith. But she surely couldn't do that at work. But returning to Minnesota for Thanksgiving after three years away, Kielo had a breakthrough with her sister, whom she had argued with a lot during their younger years. They had long, honest conversations, and her sister noted that Kielo was speaking more openly about her own faith. They went to church together, and their relationship started anew. At the start of the new year, Kielo's salary was scheduled to jump dramatically at the gym, but she felt another pull. It was time to go home. Without a job in Minnesota, Kielo quit her job at the Chicago gym, and she packed her belongings and returned to her home state in mid-January. But she couldn't find a job, and she bounced around in different roles, including delivering groceries.  Then FCA called.

There is something powerful that happens when coaches slow down long enough to be poured into. That is exactly what has been taking place over the past few months through the leadership of Minnesota FCA Golf Director, Mike Seiffert . What started as a simple idea has already begun to shape coaches across multiple states, and it is only the beginning! A Simple Start with a Clear Purpose In January, two virtual Coaches Huddles launched on Zoom. One group gathered on Tuesday nights, made up of PGA professionals. Another met on Thursday nights, consisting of high school golf coaches. Over the course of ten weeks, these groups met consistently, walking together through the book of Matthew. Each week, four to six coaches showed up. Not a massive number by most standards, but something deeper was happening beneath the surface.  These were not just meetings. They were spaces for connection, growth, and intentional discipleship. Mike had been planting the seed for this for over a year, inviting PGA professionals from his network during spring meetings and continuing to build relationships that would eventually lead to participation. Because of the nature of golf, with busy spring and summer seasons and many professionals traveling out of state during the winter, a virtual format made it possible for coaches to engage who otherwise could not. And engage they did. More Than a Bible Study What makes FCA coaches huddles unique is not just the study of Scripture, but the integration of faith and coaching. Each session intentionally began with 15 to 20 minutes of conversation around coaching. Coaches shared openly about real challenges and real strategies. How do you run qualifying? How do you handle parents? What do you do when a player cheats? How do you build relationships that actually shape athletes? These were not surface-level conversations. They were practical, honest, and deeply relevant. At the same time, there was a deeper layer. Coaches wrestled with how to live out their faith within their programs, especially in environments where they could not be explicitly Christian. That tension led to meaningful discussion. How do you be transformational without being forceful? How do you lead with Christ at the center, even when you cannot say His name out loud in your program? That space, where faith meets real life, is where growth happened. As Mike shared, coaching created the common ground. Whether it was a PGA professional working with members and junior golfers, or a high school coach leading a team, the shared identity of “coach” opened the door to deeper relationships. And from that foundation, faith conversations followed naturally. Impact That Crosses State Lines What is happening is not confined to Minnesota. These huddles have already expanded across the Northland FCA region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Coaches like Dean Johs from Mandan, North Dakota have been regular participants, bringing connection and unity across state lines. This is a glimpse of what is possible when coaches are equipped and encouraged together.

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.