West Alabama FCA Intern Retreat

A POWERFUL Illustration of the FREE Gift of Salvation

Serving Selma Together

2022 . . . The Year that Fields of Faith turned into Courts of Praise

"It was a long way to Texas A&M, but the miles were worth it!" - West Alabama FCA Camper

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

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

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

Through the Eyes of a Coach Hello! My name is Sarah Kelley, and I attended the FCA running camp as a coach with our cross country boys and girls teams a few weeks ago. In all honesty, I was not expecting a lot to come from our four days at this camp. The camp dates also fell on some difficult days in my schedule, and I was extremely close to backing out and not going. However, I am so thankful that I did go because the Lord overwhelmed me with His presence and faithfulness to the kids and myself. Prior to camp, I had been in a season (because of COVID) of extreme isolation for over a year. I have had to do school online, my husband was away for work for almost seven months, and meeting with friends and groups was challenging. It had been a while since I had experienced deep fellowship with other believers. One of the ways the Lord ministered to me during my time at camp was through the community and fellowship with other coaches and adult staff. I walked away from that time refreshed and encouraged in my walk with the Lord. I was also encouraged by seeing how the Lord worked in the lives of our athletes. His Spirit moved and worked in our kids' hearts, and I had the pleasure of witnessing the power and presence of His Spirit not only during worship but also during the other activities of the day. I was encouraged and motivated to continue to look for ways to show our kids Christ after camp. I have a unique opportunity to work with these kids on a weekly basis at our workouts. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord continues to work in their lives and I am excited to continue to show the love of Christ to them in creative and more intentional ways this next year. I am so thankful that I was able to attend camp this summer. The Lord refreshed and encouraged me in ways I didn't even know that I needed. I am incredibly grateful to the people who sacrificed so much to sponsor some of the team to attend. Thank you for your gift and your faithfulness to the Lord! I pray that the Lord will bless you for your diligence to Him. Much Love, Sarah Kelley Through the Eyes of a Camper FCA running camp was a fantastic experience, of which God used to work in my life and the lives of my teammates. In addition, I interacted with many other runners who love the Lord, and I had a ton of fun being with them. During huddle time (bible study time), I was with a small group of girls and an older college student leader who led us in our study during our time at camp. Something in particular that stuck out to me, that my leader said was, "You need to share your convictions and struggles with others." I'm the kind of person who wants to keep that stuff locked in a closet where it can't be seen. I don't want to talk about those past things. However, our leader shared something personal that she wrestled with in her past. She said she held it in for a long time until God prompted her to share her convictions with one of her close Godly friends. Her friend was able to work through it with her, and she no longer had to carry the burden of her sin alone. The day before the last day at camp was a pivotal day for me. In hindsight, God's plan was so perfect and precise. During breakout time, all of the athletes were able to choose a lecture to attend. The lectures were on different topics. That day, I decided to attend the Females Only class and what was discussed was not what I was expecting. The teacher talked about confessing our convictions and not hiding/shutting the door on painful past things. That night at the chapel, the pastor taught on pursuing team. One thing he said that hit me was that "You can't go through life on your own." He shared about the importance of confessing to other believers. He also talked about how if our struggles and sins are in the light, we can fight it, but the enemy can control it if it is in the dark. The worship afterward was intense. You could feel God's Spirit moving throughout the room. As a whole, my entire team was moved by the Lord that night. Later that night, our girls' team got together to talk, and I confessed something to them that I had locked away for three years. It was as if a weight was being taken off my shoulders; I no longer had to carry that burden on my own. We confessed to each other, cried together, and loved on one another. Because God’s Spirit moved at this camp and we were able to go to this camp, our girls' team grew closer to each other and to Christ. It was an experience that nothing can compare to; a small taste of heaven. We were able to worship and pray together, with confidence, among other Christians. God worked miracles and opened hearts at this camp. This camp was a 10 out of 10, and it would be something I would love to have the pleasure of doing again. I praise God for the people who made this camp happen and for the people that contributed towards us being able to go. I am so grateful to them. Karis Kelley