Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been a club on Northwestern’s campus for many years but has just recently been revived. FCA is a group that meets together to encourage others in Christ.
Senior Cody Engebretson, faculty member Ray Gibler and a group of student leaders at NW are the team members that made this happen.
“FCA to me is just an awesome opportunity to get to know other athletes, encourage them and get to a deeper level with them and Christ,” said Gretchen Sutherland, one of FCA’s student leaders.
FCA provides students an opportunity to interact with others who compete athletically as well as those who do not.
During this time, people are able to get to know others on a deeper, faith-based level. It’s a casual environment with no attendance or time commitments.
The FCA team leaders, Gretchen Sutherland, Brianna Hobbs, Cody Engebretson, Ben Loftis and Alli Dunkelberger say that God has given them the platform of athletics as a way to demonstrate the love of Christ.
A typical FCA meeting consists of ice breakers, games, prayer, small groups and a devotional message.
The main theme FCA focuses on is living intentionally and how doing so relates to different aspects of reality.
“To me FCA is a bunch of people who enjoy sports coming together to find a deeper meaning with their relationship with God,” said sophomore Ben Loftis, another student leader.
Meetings are run by the student leaders with occasional faculty speakers. It is a joint effort by the team leaders to create a down-to-earth feel with valuable information for each person to take away each time.
“The main reason I wanted FCA here is it’s always been a part of my life,” Engebretson said. “My dad was a huddle coach for Le Mars. I’ve grown up around it. I wanted to let other people share the same experiences.”
Engebretson’s experience is characteristic of FCA, positive and encouraging.
FCA meets at 4 p.m. every other Sunday in the Bultman Center. The group’s next meeting is Oct. 7.
