When students at Woodbury High School gather for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, they now have two opportunities to do so - Ignite and FCA. At first glance, it might seem unusual for one school to host multiple Christian student groups. Wouldn’t that create competition? Divide students? Duplicate efforts?
But what’s happening at Woodbury tells a different story - one of unity, shared purpose, and a visible move of God.
Brent Voight, now Northland FCA’s Regional Director of Donor and Board Advancement, recalls the early days of Ignite and his role as East Metro Area Director:
“For several years I have supported a Christian student-led group on a local high school campus that wasn’t FCA,” Brent shares. “Ignite started at Woodbury HS as a small, dedicated group committed to studying the Bible and applying it to students’ lives. When there were requests to start an FCA Huddle, I was careful that whatever grew out of those efforts would be respectful of Ignite and partner with them.”
That posture of humility and partnership laid the groundwork for what would become an extraordinary story.
In the fall, Ignite’s advisor told Brent that 115 students attended their first meeting of the year. That same week, FCA launched its first huddle – and 115 students came. “Too coincidental for it not to be a God thing,” Brent says.
Still, he’s quick to point out that numbers aren’t the goal.
“One of our VPs said recently, ‘We’re really good at getting athletes into the Kingdom of God. Let’s get even better at getting the Kingdom of God into our athletes.’ That’s our charge - not wide growth, but depth. Depth of commitment, depth of character, depth of caring for others, depth of desiring the truth. That’s the true mark of FCA’s impact.”
Ignite’s teacher and advisor, Lisa Hyland, has shepherded the ministry since 2018. When she was first asked to lead, Ignite had dwindled to just a few students. “We spent the first three months reimagining what Ignite could be,” Lisa recalls. “We wanted it to be a place where Christian kids could find each other, develop community, and grow in their faith together.”
Since then, Ignite has flourished - not only in numbers, but in leadership depth. Each summer, student leaders meet weekly to study Scripture, plan lessons, and prepare to serve their peers. “We view Ignite as a ministry, not a club,” Lisa says. “We view our school as a mission field. Every fall, we commission our students as ambassadors for Christ at Woodbury High School.”
So when FCA began forming on campus, Lisa’s response was one of encouragement, not concern. “Because Brent had always supported Ignite - even donating Bibles, training leaders, and speaking - I had no reservations. We talked with our student leaders about how any and all groups lifting up Jesus is a good thing. Ignite might reach some kids FCA wouldn’t, and vice versa. We’re all on the same team.”
Two Ignite leaders now attend FCA regularly, helping bridge the two ministries. Lisa even hosts the FCA girls’ small-group discussion in her classroom. “I love being able to listen to them discuss the Word of God!” she says. “Our goals are the same - to invite Jesus into our school and help Christian students find support and community.”
East Metro FCA Area Rep Brady Brusewitz has witnessed this spiritual awakening firsthand. “There is an awakening taking place within students at Woodbury High School,” Brady says. “The fact that we had over 100 students at both FCA and Ignite is a testament to what the Lord is doing. The culture is shifting.”
For Brady, the partnership between Ignite and FCA offers a model for other schools. “Multiple ministries can happen. We’re on the same team, with the same mission - that Christ would be known on school campuses. If possible, have ministries meet on different days so students can attend both.”
His message to those watching from the outside is simple yet profound: “There is hope for Woodbury High School. There’s a genuine hunger for truth and Scripture - unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
The story unfolding at Woodbury High School is not one of rivalry, but revival. Two ministries, two expressions, one mission - that Jesus Christ would be made known. It’s a living example of unity in the body of Christ - proof that when believers choose partnership over pride, God multiplies impact.
As Brent Voight puts it, “It’s not about numbers. It’s about depth. And God is deeply at work in the students of Woodbury High School.”
FCA is committed to equipping coaches and athletes to live and lead for Christ. Visit minnesotafca.org/huddle to find a huddle near you and Contact Us if you don't see your school and would like to get the conversation started!
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