Fellowship of Christian Athletes

There is much power in prayer. In moments of joy, in times of struggle, and in the daily grind, prayer is our constant companion. It connects us to the divine, giving us strength, peace, and guidance. #prayerwarrior #guidance #gratitude #strength #peace #faith

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 As we celebrate the freedom and blessings we enjoy in this great nation, let's remember our ultimate freedom in Christ. Jesus offers us a greater freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life. Today, let's give thanks for the sacrifices made for our country's independence and for the sacrifice Jesus made for our spiritual freedom. May we use our freedom to love, serve, and glorify God in all we do. Have a joyful and blessed Independence Day! #independenceday #fourthofjuly #fca

Refuel with God's Joy and Hope. “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” -Ephesians 3:19 Ephesians 3:19 emphasizes knowing Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, filling us with God’s fullness. Just as athletes need continuous physical and mental refueling, Christians require spiritual fuel to sustain joy and hope in all aspects of life. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He assured His uncertain disciples of the Holy Spirit’s help (Acts 1:8). This assurance was fulfilled during Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, empowering them to speak in various tongues and spreading God’s message with newfound boldness (Acts 2:14-41). This event marked the beginning of the early church’s rapid growth, fueled by their dedication to prayer, studying God’s Word, and fellowship (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Like athletes needing a playbook, Christians rely on the Bible for guidance and truth. Daily spiritual practices such as studying Scripture and praying refuel our spirits, drawing us closer to God and filling us with peace and joy. Moreover, the community of believers, united in faith, plays a crucial role in supporting and sustaining our faith, much like the early church’s reliance on each other during times of persecution. By consistently refueling through Scripture, prayer, and community, we gain the wisdom and strength to face life’s challenges, experiencing the overflowing joy and hope that come from God’s presence in our lives. Focus: God refuels me with joy and hope that overflow into every aspect of my life. #fca247 #refuel #faith Read more: https://bit.ly/3XEPAdz

Representative Ali Malaekeh’s journey to ministry is unique and inspiring. Born in Iran and raised Muslim, he immigrated to Austria and then to the U.S. in 1986. Malaekeh accepted Christ in 2003 and became a full-time soccer coach. Discontent with his career by 2014, he joined FCA, meeting Orange County Director Adam Goodman in 2016. At UC Irvine (UCI), he struggled initially but had a breakthrough by connecting with infielder Cole Krueter via Instagram. This led to "chicken and chapel" sessions, where Malaekeh brought Chick-fil-A biscuits and led Bible studies, drawing many attendees. Over time, he built deeper relationships through regular attendance at practices and games. Despite challenges, including COVID-19, Malaekeh’s ministry expanded. He continued virtual meetings and resumed in-person sessions post-pandemic, fostering a strong community. His efforts were transformative, impacting players like Trenton Denholm and Caden Kendle, who grew spiritually and became leaders. Malaekeh also serves at Cal State Fullerton, demonstrating his dedication. His work has created lasting bonds, helping athletes understand success beyond sports, rooted in faith and community. #fca #ministryimpact #growth Read Malaekeh's full story: https://bit.ly/45UGBY5

In the midst of Carter’s rapid ascent, a faith-based T-shirt he wore and a related partnership he formed with FCA sparked a powerful, widespread response that is still having ripple effects in Texas and beyond. It’s a testament to God’s active presence in the minute details of our lives and the impact His people can have when they remain open to His plans. This is the story of Evan Carter’s personal whirlwind. Elizabethton, Tennessee, is a modest city with a rich history dating back to the late 1700s. This first independent American settlement west of the original 13 colonies is known for its historic covered bridge and a downtown district on the National Register of Historic Places. Notable for producing sports figures like MLB stars Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer, Elizabethton is where Evan Carter grew up and has now settled with his wife, Kaylen. Evan Carter, a soft-spoken, gentle soul, is far from the stereotypical major leaguer. Rooted in his faith and family, Carter's journey to the MLB was unexpected. He earned a baseball scholarship to Duke University, but the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of showcase events led him to enter the 2020 MLB draft under the radar. Selected by the Texas Rangers, Carter initially struggled in the minor leagues but broke out in 2022, becoming the Rangers' minor league player of the year at 19. Carter made his MLB debut in September 2023, impressing with a .306 average and record-setting postseason performance. His faith, prominently displayed through a "Jesus Won" T-shirt, sparked a movement that raised significant funds for charitable causes. Married to his sixth-grade sweetheart, Kaylen, Carter values his humble roots in Elizabethton. Despite his newfound fame, he remains grounded, enjoying simple pleasures like attending local events and spending time with family. As a World Series champion, Carter looks forward to continuing his baseball career, embodying the values of faith, family, and community. #FCA #JesusWon #athlete #MLB Read his full story: https://bit.ly/3VY9qPX

Embrace the present moments. Though much remains unknown, dwelling on the past or obsessing over the future deprives us of the current season God has you in. How can you focus on being where your feet are? Seek God's Kingdom - Look to the Lord and His heart through prayer. Get in His Word, get quiet and listen to what He wants to say. Make Your Requests - We can quickly shift our minds to the things that bring worry and the toil that takes us down a tailspin of anxiety. We want to know we will be provided for and have the means to provide. God knows what we need. He wants us to come to Him and make our requests known, then leave that request at His feet and trust Him to take care of us. Focus on the Present - Tomorrow has enough worry and trial that will inevitably come. Why heap that on top of today’s troubles? Make it your ambition to go throughout today and look for things you’re grateful for. Relax. Give your cares to God. Pay attention. Take time to slow down and notice the people and places around you. God is in this moment, and this moment is all you have. Live in it. #fca247 #bewhereyourfeetare #present #moment #God #faith Challenge: Lift your eyes off yourself and onto someone else. Write a note of encouragement to a teammate. See where you can serve in your community. Do some yardwork for your parents. 📰 Discover more: https://bit.ly/3VMfUB4

FCA athletes and teams were bold in their faith at the 2024 Men's College World Series (not all pictured). #cws #fca #thefour #faith

Stop looking forward or backward and see where God is moving right here and now. We’re always thinking about the next play, the next season, the next new training method that’s going to give us the edge over our competition. Or we’re looking behind at the last season that ended too quickly in the postseason, what we could have done better to help our team. It’s like our default is set to overthink and worry about where we’re going and how the pieces are going to match up to make it happen. But what does dwelling in the past or fretting about the future get us? Nothing but more worry. We are too easily distracted about what’s coming up or ruminating on what we could have altered that we miss what’s right now. And there’s plenty right in front of us that deserves our presence. God is with us in the moment. He says He is with us, and it’s important to slow ourselves down enough to experience all He has for us in the here and now. Jesus knows how prone our minds are to wander, worrying about how we’re going to provide for our families, where we’re going to go to college if we’re going to keep our starting spot. He’s given us a frame of reference that realigns us with what’s important, a reminder to lay everything at His feet and trust God to take care of our needs. In His message on the mountain, Jesus lays out an entirely new framework for living. This includes a remedy for worry: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –Matthew 6:33-34 What can we pull from this passage that can help us relax and simply be in this moment? #fca247 #moment #bewhereyourfeetare 📰 https://bit.ly/3VMfUB4

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the news of emancipation reached the enslaved African American people in Texas, marking a significant day. This is a time to come together around Scripture's command for unity. We encourage you to reflect together on Matthew 22:37-39: “He said to him, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Let us continue to pray for a spirit of unity and reflect on how God guides us to love our neighbors. #Juneteenth #Love

Kevin Cates experienced a profound transformation in his faith and career through his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Previously driven by a desire to be the best, this Cheyenne native found his competitive spirit affecting his teaching and coaching. A pivotal moment came when he played golf with an FCA staff member who invited him to start an FCA Huddle at his school. For the next 23 years, Cates led FCA Huddles, deepening his faith and witnessing the positive impact on students. He also coached at FCA camps, where he saw young athletes commit their lives to Christ. This experience shifted his focus from personal success to developing young men and women through sports. After retiring from a 32-year teaching career in June 2021, Cates felt called to continue working with youth. He joined FCA full-time, leveraging his deep community connections in Cheyenne and Laramie County. Reflecting on his journey, Cates sees a clear path shaped by God's plan, dedicated to mentoring the next generation. #Faith #FCA #YouthDevelopment #Leadership 📰 Read Kevin's story: https://bit.ly/4cln3xE