The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club met today in Trailer 3 again after many months of no meetings. Ben Berger (’15) and Ryan Rudy (’15) are the main leaders of the club, alternating every Thursday meeting of who is responsible in leading the opening prayer, reading scriptures, coming up with a Christian lesson, and relating the lesson to sport experiences.

“FCA is a good way to combine religion and sports which are two things that are very important to me,” Ben said.

Today’s meeting was led by Ben Berger with the lesson of overcoming adversity. He read Philippians 3:13-14, James 1:2-4, and James 1:12 and showed those who were present a video about ESPN news anchor Stuart Scott’s speech on receiving the Jimmy V Perseverance Award on ESPYS.

Stewart Scott Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl_0ieqSi7Q

When the video ended, Ben talked about how Stuart Scott overcame his four surgeries for his cancer just a week before he received the award, persevering and keeping a positive attitude instead of giving in to what was killing him.

Ben then told a story from Acts 16 called Paul and Silas in Prison where the two men were “stripped and beaten with rods” just before being thrown in prison, their feet fastened in stocks. Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God until a powerful earthquake destroyed the foundations of the prison. The jailer came up to Paul and Silas, after they prevented the jailer’s suicide for letting the prisoners out, and desperately asked them to be saved.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” said Paul and Silas then. Ben then ended the lesson talking about how all athletes have had to suffer loses or their own injuries and mentioned that it was important to not give into anger and distress when faced with challenges on the field. There was a closing prayer and members were given a few minutes to talk amongst themselves.

Jessie Cornwell (’15) started attending FCA meetings when a senior came to her last year and asked her to attend a meeting. She went with her friend Emma Vicchio (’15) and they were both at today’s meeting.

“The atmosphere during was really positive and the leader’s lesson really stuck with me,” she said.
Anyone is allowed to join the club anytime during the year.

“There is no obligation to believe in Christianity if you want to join FCA,” said Robert Aitken, Math teacher and advisor for FCA.

“I’m not very religious but when I come to FCA it really encourages me to get in touch with my beliefs and make me a better athlete,” said Emma Vicchio (’15).