Fellowship in the Fieldhouse
Fellowship of Christian Athletes members express their faith.
A frisbee flies across the gym, making a swooshing sound as the thump of shoes echoes. Students competitively block and push each other, laughing and screaming as they try to earn points.
This is typically how Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) starts their meetings every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the Fieldhouse. In FCA, students of every grade level meet and connect with people who share similar beliefs and interests. The club is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, but has a worldwide reach.
“FCA is an international club and there are more than 17,783 different groups in 62 countries,” junior Matt Lawson said.
The club may have a long reach throughout the world, but it also has a wide reach in its acceptance.
“FCA is not just for people who are Christians,” sophomore Liam Bogue said. “Whether you are Christian or not, you can come with a friend and hang out, play ultimate frisbee and stay for the sermon.”
Club sponsor and chemistry teacher Ryan Brewer agrees.
“It’s a great way to start your Thursday morning and it’s a great community of people,” Brewer said. “Anyone is welcome.”
Sermons are a part of the Christian faith where someone, usually a preacher, speaks about a religious topic with an intended important message. It is a way for a group of people to listen to a point of view on one subject. During the FCA meetings on Thursday mornings, they gather in front of the learning stairs outside of the fieldhouse and meet for their sermon.
“Students can give the sermons, too,” Bogue said. “It’s not a technical sermon, it’s just a message that can influence the way you go about your day.”
Not only does the club meet regularly, but they also influence the school and the community.
“We are involved in a ‘fifth quarter’ after one of the Liberty vs. Liberty North basketball games, a fall bonfire, a ‘See You at the Pole’ and an ultimate frisbee night,” junior Peter Mallon said. “We also have a booth at the Academic and Activities Fair and the Blue Jay Nation Kickoff.”
“See You at the Pole” are five words that might not seem important when strung together, but to the students apart of FCA, it carries a greater significance. This is where students gather around the flagpole to pray for their school, friends, family, churches and communities
“‘Pray at the Pole’ day is showing your faith and going out to pray,” Bogue said. “It’s just an exclamation of your faith.”
Fields of Faith is an event within FCA where LHS members can meet FCA members from other schools.
“It’s a gathering of FCA clubs from high schools all over the KC Metro area for a night of games, fellowship and music,” Mallon said.
