Looking for a way to break away from the school grind and start your day with some good vibes and meaningful conversation? The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) offers just that—and more! It’s not just a club; it’s a community of students who come together to grow spiritually. Whether you’re an athlete or not, FCA is a great place to start your day with friends, positive energy, and a little inspiration to power through the week. If you’re ready to find a space where faith and fun meet, FCA might be the perfect way to begin your mornings!
On Wednesdays, students gather in the classroom of the club sponsor, Amanda Hebert, before school to share the word of God over a light breakfast. Pastors from different churches and students share their views and opinions on Bible scriptures.
FCA sponsor Amanda Hebert is extremely passionate about the club. She believes that sharing the word of God can encourage students to continue to try their best even when they feel overwhelmed by school pressures. Plus, it’s a refreshing way to start the day.
“It’s a great way to start out Wednesday mornings for sure,” Hebert said, “I think it helps students to get a good word in the morning and just to spread those words around campus.”
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Hebert feels there aren’t many places around school where students can step away from their busy schedules and connect with God. Rushing through the halls to get to classes and studying all the time can be stressful. So, coming to FCA in the mornings helps students achieve a positive and more relaxed day.
“I feel like there’s not many places around school where students get together in the name of Jesus, and I love when students get together and speak and share and, you know, build on each other,” Hebert said.
One of the best parts of FCA is the invitation to write something inspiring on Hebert’s whiteboard! It’s not unusual to see Bible verses and quotes sprawled across the board. Students and teachers love to write down their favorite verses. Even Hebert participates!
But she isn’t the only one who has fallen in love with FCA! Youth pastors Andrew Forque from First Baptist and Brady Nunez from Fellowship Church often come on Wednesdays to share the word with students. Both pastors plan speeches or little lessons for students to remember for the rest of the day.
Brady Nunez from Fellowship Church shares his own stories and opinions on FCA. A few years ago, Hebert had the idea to create a community of faith for students, and Nunez loved the idea immediately.
“Ms. Hebert came to us with the idea of gathering students in the community just to share their faith. We jumped on board immediately, and it grew into FCA,” Nunez said.
Brady even expresses his own belief about FCA’s best aspect. Stating that life is full of challenge after challenge, Brady believes FCA is a good place to learn and grow with the support of God and a community of students.
“This life presents enough trials and challenges, so why go through it alone? That’s the best part of FCA: knowing there are people you can call upon and be with in all of life’s moments,” Nunez said.
When preparing to speak to students, Nunez explains his process and how he plans things out. While some may choose a verse to focus on or simply focus on an entire book, Nunez’s approach is different. He simply reaches out to God, asking God to speak, and then he awaits an answer.
“I’ll pray, ask God what to speak a few days before, and wait for an answer. Usually, He will drop something in my spirit or point me to a passage, and from there, I’ll create a devotional out of the scriptures,” Nunez said.
A student speaker at FCA, Matthew Hughes (12), also shared his own experience in FCA. Hughes is a student who attends the First Baptist Church of Zachary. His older brother and younger sister both participate in FCA and church routinely! There is no doubt Hughes’ family has a passion for FCA.
Hughes found out about FCA through his older brother, Andrew. His brother, a senior at the time, brought Hughes to FCA with him, introducing him to the community. As a little brother, Hughes undoubtedly looked up to his brother and all that he did. So, following in his brother’s footsteps, Hughes came to FCA in the future.
Now, FCA is an important part of Hughes’ life. The opportunity to preach to other students is a new and exciting experience for Hughes, and he enjoys sharing his beliefs with his peers and comforting others. It’s safe to say this will not be the last time Hughes preaches.
“FCA was my first time preaching when I was a sophomore, and it’s given me a lot of practice at preaching to other people,” Hughes said.
Organization is very important when preparing to speak at FCA. A hectic speech will leave others in confusion and will not succeed in spreading the word. Hughes explains the method he uses to prepare for his lessons. Usually, this young preacher will focus on one verse to expand on.
“I like to organize my words to center around the verses I’m discussing. I want God’s words to be the center of my message and the rest of my message to explain it,” Hughes said.
Regarding the athletic aspect of FCA, Hughes believes teaching lessons is important. When speaking to other student-athletes, it’s crucial to encourage others through the word of God. Not only is FCA a great way to begin Wednesday mornings, but it’s also a great way to encourage others to join in on the word!
Jake Curry’s (11) says he enjoys being a part of FCA because of the community of students he gets to be around. He loves sitting with his friends and sharing words while listening to speeches and sermons. Curry (11) first began his journey in FCA during his freshman year!
“I found out about FCA during my first year from some older kids at my local church. I decided to participate in FCA because I knew most of the members, and I was excited to hear and share the word of God,” Curry said.
The Bible is a vast book full of countless lessons and sayings. People from different places may interpret each page differently. Curry loves to hear about other perspectives.
“I enjoy hearing my peers share a word from the Bible and what particular verses or stories mean to them,” Curry said.
The FCA club is full of very motivated young athletes. Coming together in a cozy classroom in the name of God is a fantastic experience to go through every week. The ability to come together with like-minded people is an encouraging experience! It’s an extra burst of energy to get through the rest of the week. Participants such as Jake Curry (11), Matthew Hughes (12), Amanda Hebert, and Pastor Brady make FCA what it is today. The sponsor of FCA, Hebert, welcomes all athletes to join in every Wednesday for a light breakfast of donuts and a welcoming community.
