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A POWERFUL GIFT

Jonathan Guthrie • Jun 22, 2023

A POWERFUL Illustration of the FREE Gift of Salvation

As a coach, I can say that coaches can be hard to "crack."  Everyone wants something from them.  Everyone has opinions to give them.  Rarely are things given to coaches without the expectation of something in return.  So when one of the founders of TURTLEBOX calls and wants to GIVE speakers to my coaches, I was overwhelmed with gratitude! TURTLEBOX is of one of the most powerful, versatile, and rugged outdoor speakers on the market.  And in addition to being the highest of quality product, one of the company's four founders was my former athlete.  (Proud is an understatement) 


"We believe that Turtlebox belongs on fields and in training centers, helping athletes stay motivated and work hard towards their goals. We also believe that music brings people together. It’s a universal language. When we look at a group like FCA, who’s working towards building connections with coaches and athletes, we can’t think of a better way to help facilitate that than by handing out speakers. In turn, we hope this leads to more conversations about the hope of Jesus in the sports arena." -J. McKenzie


The texts and responses from coaches to this gift have been unbelievable!  The idea that they were given a gift, of highest quality, with no strings attached, was almost unfathomable.   . . . But then it hit me!  Isn't that the very thing FCA aims to illustrate to coaches and athletes?  God desires to give us a gift, of highest quality, with no strings attached.  He seeks after us, hoping we will accept His gift of eternal life.  Jesus Christ made the payment of our sin by giving his life on the cross, in order that we might have abundant life, now and forever. 


We are so grateful to Turtlebox for the company's generosity to West Alabama FCA and its continued friendship.  To learn more about this incredible company and to get a TURTLEBOX of your own, visit turtleboxaudio.com.

A POWERFUL GIFT

By Jonathan Guthrie • 22 Jun, 2023
A POWERFUL Illustration of the FREE Gift of Salvation

Serving Selma

By Jonathan Guthrie • 07 Feb, 2023
Serving Selma Together

Courts of Praise, 2022

By Shonda Guthrie • 31 Oct, 2022
2022 . . . The Year that Fields of Faith turned into Courts of Praise

The Miles Were Worth It!

By Shonda Guthrie • 07 Jul, 2022
"It was a long way to Texas A&M, but the miles were worth it!" - West Alabama FCA Camper

Over the Edge

26 Apr, 2022
"You wanna climb down the tallest building in T-Town to raise money to send kids to camp this summer?"

FCA Bowl

15 Jan, 2022
Seeing the ACA high school athletes willingly step into a role model position where they model following Jesus to future generations has been incredible!

Coaches' Wives Minis-Tea

By Christie Swinney • 14 Oct, 2021
Being a coach’s wife is a unique role, especially when you’re the wife of a head coach in one sport and an assistant in another. Although it can be tough, it’s so rewarding to watch my husband be such a great mentor. As a coach’s wife, when you really dig into the sport that they coach, it also becomes part of your life. Those running backs become like your sons and the softball players are like your daughters. I don’t think of it as time away from our family, I think of it as we are gaining a family that we get to watch grow. Attending the FCA "minis-tea" affirmed all these things for me. To know that there are other wives out there who went through the same struggles, but also came to the same realizations, was a game changer for me. I was literally brought to tears when some of them spoke about their experiences and even prayed over our personal families. It brought about a connection that I haven’t really experienced before. It was real and it was honest. It’s not always easy and sometimes I want to throw in the towel on sports, but I can’t. It changes lives!! It has changed our lives. I hope that there are many more FCA wife meetings that can reach even more coach’s wives and that these wives can see the importance of having a coaching “family” that they can depend on. This should not be something you do alone. I’m so glad I was invited to this event and I can’t wait to see where this program takes us. GO PATS! Christie Swinney

West Alabama FCA Intern Retreat

By Riley Balsmeyer • 13 Aug, 2021
With the school year right around the corner, the interns got to head out of town a little ways to reboot and connect at True Vine. The retreat was kicked off by prayer warrior, Mrs. Bette, who talked with us about the power of prayer before blessing each one of us. It was such a treat to hear Mrs. Bette and her husband, Dr. McRae, share their wisdom and encouragement. But the fellowship didn't stop there, it was just beginning. Next up on the agenda was a delicious dinner cooked up by our board president, Dustin, and served by board members, Mrs. Carolyn and Mrs. Danielle. During dinner, the interns received some more wisdom and encouragement from each of the board members. The interns were fueled up and ready to take on the high ropes course at night, a unique experience that led to a lot of teamwork, laughter and trust. The True Vine staff were adept at walking our group through the actual ropes course, while also helping us see how similar the course was to our own lives and walks with Christ. The same tools we learned we needed to successfully navigate the ropes are the same ones we need to navigate our lives. Faith even when we can't see, the support of others and a willingness to persist through difficult circumstances were just a few of the skills reinforced. Once we tackled the high ropes course, it was off to bed. The next morning we got to connect over breakfast and meet about the upcoming school year. It was incredible to hear each intern describe their goals and plans for how to lead and serve their classmates and teammates this year. And after doing some planning for our upcoming Fields of Faith (see the Events tab to learn more) event, everyone spread out around the gorgeous grounds to have some individual prayer time. Once we were able to spend some quality time with the Lord, most of us were pretty hungry. And good thing because it was time for the interns to help Brandon cook up some paella. Paella is a Spanish dish made by combining a variety of ingredients into one delicious meal. It's the perfect metaphor for the way God uses each one of us, with our unique gifts, to unite as His family and do things much greater than anything we could accomplish alone. And it was a wonderful picture of our interns. Different schools, different sports and different personalities, but together they make up a passionate and dedicated group that is ready serve the Lord and His people. With full bellies and full hearts, it was time to hit the road back to Tuscaloosa so that the interns could prepare for the new school year. We are confident God is going to use them to be prisms of light for Jesus! Please join us in praying for them as they navigate their academics, athletics and ministry.

Huddle Highlight

By Shonda Guthrie • 12 Aug, 2021
The University of West Alabama allows FCA to meet every other Tuesday night at 8pm. They meet on campus, at the Wesley Campus Ministry. FCA has partnered with Wesley, The Awakening, and Kevin Croom, head of the College Experience at the University of Alabama. "God has not only used me as a vessel, but so many of the people in the community and on campus here at UWA. We are not done yet! And in my strongest belief, God is doing something big through FCA." -Gracie Self I am the President of FCA, Grace Self. We have a Vice President, Kat Burks. We have a Treasury, Kylie Martin. And together we have 18 ambassadors from various sports teams that represent FCA and Jesus. We spread the word like crazy, so we can spread The Word. We ask people to come from our sports teams and from campus--all are welcomed. Jesus doesn’t care where you are from so neither do we. How I got here is simple yet complex . . . but I am who I am because of The Great I am. God is able to heal. If you don’t think so, look at the cross. God is able to restore. If you don’t think so look at the cross. God is able to bring life into you. If you don’t think so, look at the cross. My love story with Jesus is personal. My love story with Jesus is about a God who keeps promises. My love story with Jesus is my favorite story to tell. When I found my identity in something that is unseen, that is when I could finally see. When I found my identity in Christ, I found who I was all along. I felt different my whole life, because I am different. I am different, but so is everyone else. We are each uniquely made in Christ. We are all a part of the body of Christ . . . with different gifts, with different abilities, with different choices we made to get us here. God uses my brokenness, my past, and our love story for His Glory. I wouldn’t be here without Him. I have never experienced anything more real than when I encounter God. I talk to Him everyday . . . and He talks back. I am not afraid to tell the world about Jesus, because He is right here. The Spirit of God is here, and always will be. I live by these simple words: I am His. FCA is more than just a ministry or something to put on a resume . . . this is how Jesus will reach people here at UWA. And like I said, the best is yet to come!
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