GLOBAL AND REGIONAL HUDDLES

Huddle Up! was one of our first virtual huddles to roll out, featuring prominent sports figures who shared their faith and what life without sports during shut down looked like from their home.

19 pro-athletes and coaches stepped up to help our youth and coaches who were navigating a very similar situation (cancelled tournaments, ended seasons, and loss of camaraderie with their teams) understand ways in which we could respond in crisis. Life had changed, and for many this was hard to come to terms with. Having pro athletes share their hearts and the Gospel with 30,000+ viewers, led to many people making faith decisions over the course of 5 weeks. An opportunity for those who didn’t know Jesus were led through THE FOUR – FCA’s framework for sharing the Gospel in four simple truths. Learn more about THE FOUR.

Enjoy a recap of our Huddle Up! Events:

To tune in to all past Huddle Up!

events visit: nefloridafca.org/fcavirtual

Similar to Huddle Up, the FCA Florida Region hosted virtual huddles featuring prominent public figures, pro & college coaches, pro & college athletes, authors and Olympians. It was a blessing to have these individuals serve our coaches and athletes across Florida. We had over 7,422 attendees, over 7 weeks, and 391 faith decisions! Those who made faith decisions were led through THE CORE – 8 Essential Ways to Strengthen Your Faith. Want to read THE CORE yourself? View it here, download a copy or request a book.

Coaches and Pro-athletes that participated in our Regional Huddles include:

Bobby Bowden – Retired Head Football Coach

Steven Matz – MLB Pitcher

Mark Richt – Retired Head Football Coach

Hugh Freeze – Liberty Football Coach

Charlie Ward – Retired NBA Basketball Player and Heisman Trophy Winner

Jim Ryun – American Politician and Olympian

Michael Barrow – NFL Linebacker

Jon Gordon – Author and Public Speaker

Danny Wuerffel – NFL Quarterback

COACHES MINISTRY

During the shutdown, sports at all levels came to a screeching halt. For the first time in their careers, coaches had idle time that was not filled with practices, competition, recruiting, travel or face time with players. Many coaches and athletic directors turned to personal and professional development during this time to keep getting better and hopefully find an edge. NE Florida FCA was there to meet them.

As a result of transitioning to virtual platforms, coaches and athletic directors connected with FCA in their free time regardless of their physical location. It was not uncommon to hear from coaches who may have said in the past, “I don’t have time for this. I simply don’t know where to fit it in.” to say things like, “Wow. I wish I would have prioritized this years ago. What a blessing it is to be in fellowship with other coaches.” Envision coaches who typically wouldn’t spend time together (apart from battling it out as their teams compete) to now reading God’s word and praying amongst each other. Truly a beautiful sight.

As NE Florida has seen an increase in relationships with local coaches at the high school and college levels, an exciting result of these past 6 months is a commitment amongst several of these individuals to be a part of a NE Florida FCA Coaches Ministry Steering Team. No one can identify with a coach in his/her life better than a fellow coach. We are excited to see the impact this group of coaches will make on their peers in the months and years to come. Stay tuned and join us in prayer for the Lord’s continued leading.

Enjoy a few examples of how NE Florida coaches have been blessed through our coaches ministry:

Coaches Huddle – Hosted every Thursday and Friday morning, coaches across NE Florida connect spiritually, in God’s Word together, and share how the Lord is moving in and through their teams.

3D Coaching – is a framework that helps coaches learn how to coach their athletes minds and hearts, moving beyond the x's and o's/skills of the game. We are excited that two of the 3D Coaching Huddles will be launching new sport specific Coaches Huddles once the 3D coaching curriculum is completed.

Virtual Coaches Camp – This three-day event took place at the end of May, impacting over 1,100 coaches throughout the Southeastern United States. 43 Florida FCA staff members served as small group huddle leaders, encouraging coaches spiritually in their journeys with Christ. Jeff Scott spoke on sacrifice, Patty Gasso spoke on surrender, Tony Dungy explained how faith was a critical component in his leadership style, and Mark and Katharyn Richt shared their story, encouraging coaches and their spouses on how to support one another in marriage.

Special Guests:

DJ Horton – Event Host and Lead Pastor at Church at the Mill, Spartanburg, SC.

Jeff Scott – Head Football Coach , University of South Florida

Patty Gasso – Head Softball Coach, University of Oklahoma

Tony Dungy – Former NFL Player and NFL Head Coach

Mark Richt – Former Head Football Coach, University of Georgia and University of Miami

STUDENT / ATHLETE HUDDLES

VOLUNTEER

HUDDLES

Although our athletes and students are experiencing a time of discouragement and adjustment, we have seen them step up as leaders and start their own virtual huddles for their campus. Many are seeing this as an opportunity to encourage their peers during a time when everyone is responding to the pandemic in different ways.

During shutdown, NE Florida FCA hosted a virtual huddle for our volunteers in order to encourage them and remain connected in the Word. Volunteers are a vital component to fulfilling the vision and mission of FCA. This Fall we are excited to train our volunteers in FCA’s E3 Playbook discipleship curriculum, engaging, equipping and empowering them to go and make disciples.

YOUVERSION BIBLE APP

Each week NE Florida FCA has been leading a group of athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters through YouVersion Bible Devotional Plans. These plans have helped participants combat anxiety, fear, racial tensions, and everyday challenges with the truth of God’s Word. Over the past 21 weeks, 130 days of devotions have been completed, by 349 participants, who have read more than 1,549 verses of scripture!

Want to join us? Check out what we're reading this week by visiting our #FCAvirtual page at the link below.

JOIN US

MINISTRY ISN'T CANCELED

If you were unable to join us on June 2

you can enjoy the replay here

On June 2, 2020, NE Florida FCA hosted a virtual event via YouTube LIVE to share how FCA was responding in the pandemic, adjusting ministry during the shutdown to better serve our athletes, coaches and volunteers. Although much of the world came to a halt, ministry did not pause, and certainly was not cancelled. The Lord revealed new opportunities for FCA during the shutdown that we shared with attending guests. We also enjoyed introducing and interviewing special guests Tammie Talley, Director of Athletics for Duval County Public Schools, and Storm Davis, Former MLB Pitcher, Director of FCA Baseball, and Pitching Coach at Episcopal School of Jacksonville. These two guests shared personal experience and insights about NE Florida FCA and the ways we are ministering to and through coaches.