Sport-Specific Ministry

The Approach Def – Ministering to a community of people who are united around a particular sport. What is our focus? –Clarity through training staff on Sport-Specific Ministry. –Engaging the Field Leadership to provide valuable input. –Fulfill the Strategic Plan of FCA Leadership.

History FCA Sport-Specific Ministries desire to serve and partner with FCA Staff to expand God’s Kingdom. In 1977 Captain Bill Lewis had a vision of creating a ministry specifically to reach the golf community for Christ. FCA Golf was started as FCA’s first Sport-Specific Ministry, and 30 years later we see the potential to reach more athletes and coaches through Sport-Specific Ministry is greater today than ever before. Future FCA Sport-Specific Ministries are a major component of our Strategic Plan. Strategy 5 of the Strategic Plan is to “Identify and grow new Community Ministry markets” and one of the ways we intend to fulfill this is by growing our Sport – Specific Ministry Programs. God is using FCA Sport-Specific Ministry to impact a specific sports community for Christ and utilize SSM Programs for the growth of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes across the United States. History & Future

SSM – Clarity of SSM 1. Clarity of SSM Impact and grow the FCA Ministry and staff in the local area. FCA Staff is specializing and this is a major part of this move of God to meet the changing needs of athletes and coaches. Sport-Specific Ministry Programs provide athletes and coaches the platform with the greatest potential while building a comprehensive ministry.

Opportunity The need today is even greater to reach athletes and coaches different ways. A study shows that 41 million youth ages participated in organized youth sports and just over 7 million participated in high school sports. Our goal is to have 12 Sport-Specific Ministries in the next five years so that we can better reach the 34 million athletes that we can not reach through our other ministries. (Source: National Council of Youth Sports Membership Survey 2005, and the National Federation of State High School Associations, )

History FCA Sport-Specific Ministries desire to serve and partner with FCA Staff to expand God’s Kingdom. In 1977 Captain Bill Lewis had a vision of creating a ministry specifically to reach the golf community for Christ. FCA Golf was started as FCA’s first Sport-Specific Ministry, and 30 years later we see the potential to reach more athletes and coaches through Sport-Specific Ministry is greater today than ever before. Future FCA Sport-Specific Ministries are a major component of our Strategic Plan. Strategy 5 of the Strategic Plan is to “Identify and grow new Community Ministry markets” and one of the ways we intend to fulfill this is by growing our Sport – Specific Ministry Programs. God is using FCA Sport-Specific Ministry to impact a specific sports community for Christ and utilize SSM Programs for the growth of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes across the United States. History & Future

SSM – Engaging the Field 2. Engaging the Field “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22 Establishment of SSM Advisory Committee To create a clear vision for FCA SSM. To develop and oversee the implementation of plans of FCA SSM to enhance the FCA initiatives. To provide input on the existing and future staff structure of SSM Staff. To evaluate the effectiveness of FCA SSM in meeting the needs of the ministry.

SSM – Engaging the Field Members Dan Britton – Home Office Todd Dickerson – Regional Director Jim Esary – FCA Golf National Director Ron Frank – Regional Director Mark Gassman – Home Office Tim Johnson – Regional Director Dave Kubal – Home Office Sean McNamara – Home Office Donna Noonan – Coaches Ministry Ken Williams – Home Office Shane Williamson – Area Director (Atlanta, GA) Leon Willis – Regional Director

Florida Tennis Ministry Jason Golden (Area Director) approached Del Wright (Regional Director – Florida) about the possibility of transitioning to a new role within FCA and beginning a National Tennis Ministry. Jason is a key part of the staff, and did not feel God calling him to move from his current role. After much prayer Jason is going to begin FCA Florida Tennis where he can continue his current role, but create some Sport – Specific Ministry Programs in the Florida Region. We look forward to seeing Jason continue in his role as Area Director, but also utilize his passion for tennis to build a Regional FCA Tennis Ministry. SSM – Regional Potential

FCA Golf Breakfast This past year, the FCA Golf Ministry has hosted Outreach Breakfasts in partnership with hundreds of local FCA Staff. Speakers have included Aaron Baddeley, Zach Johnson and many other top pro golfers. By partnering with the FCA Field Staff, the Golf Ministry has been able to provide opportunities for Top Professional golfers to share their faith while helping grow the local FCA Ministry. SSM – National Ministry - Equipping

SSM – Fulfill Strategic Plan 3. Fulfill the Strategic Plan of FCA Leadership Great Progress being made: VP of SSM hired Exploring new National SSM in Skateboarding & Soccer. Developing Regional SSM Model. SSM Training Conference Fall 2008 being planned. Training Game Plans being created. -National SSM Staff – Best Practices of SSM -Field Staff – How to utilize SSM in your area? Monthly National Director Training Calls.

How do I utilize SSM to build the Local Ministry? -National SSM Ministry - Utilize SSM Ministry Game Plans & Staff Training to grow the Regional Ministry. -Local/Regional SSM Ministry – Create Local/Regional SSM to reach new athletes and coaches. Grow your local Ministry by having a presence within the influential sports within your community. FAQ?

What is the process for starting a new National SSM? 1.Identify the local sport’s markets where FCA is not present or have great potential. 2.Identify leaders to get involved. 3.Determine potential FCA Staff Advisors 4.Inform FCA Staff how they can be involved in the process of launching the new SSM. 5.Determine Leadership Board & Executive Director Candidates 6.Communicate plans with existing ministry and governing organizations of the sport. 7.Build & Train a National Leadership Board 8.Develop Ministry Plan 9.Develop Funding Base 10.Hire Executive Director 11.A Leadership Board and Executive Director must be established before launching the National SSM. FAQ?

What is the process for starting a new Regional SSM? 1. Identify the local sport’s markets where FCA is not present or great potential for growth. 2. Identify leaders to get involved. 3. FCA Staff inform Area/Regional Director on the potential of launching the Regional SSM. 4. Contact National Director of the appropriate SSM if they are established. Contact the VP of SSM where it is a new sport within FCA SSM. 5. Determine how the new SSM contributes to the Ministry Plan of the Region. 6. Establish SSM Advisory Group/Leadership Board. 7. Supervisor & Staff Representative determine expectations for finances & staff investment in Regional SSM. 8. Identifying the geographic scope of the Regional SSM 9. Develop Ministry Plan 10. A Regional SSM website and an effective SSM Ministry Plan must be established and approved by the Regional Director before launching the Regional SSM FAQ?

How are National SSM Staff and Ministry funded? They are primarily funded through the same funding sources of a typical field office. This includes: -Staff Home Teams -Leadership Board Fundraising -Fundraising Events -Large Donor Funding -Planned Giving National SSM Executive Directors commit to contact the appropriate Regional Directors prior to the planning public fund-raising events. When new National SSM Staff are being hired the appropriate Regional Directors will be informed before the staff person begins the process of raising financial support within a particular area. FAQ?

Best Practices for SSM Over Communicate - No Surprises. When considering new initiatives for National SSM, the National Director will communicate with the appropriate Regional Director to create a win-win for the Local Area and the National SSM. Kingdom Minded Stewardship - When SSM Staff approach a Financial Supporter of the Local Area, they should be sensitive in asking the Funding Partner to increase their giving to FCA and not encourage the Supporter to move their support from the Local Area to the SSM Initiative. Intentional Equipping – National SSM Staff will develop SSM Ministry Game Plans to equip FCA Staff to facilitate and lead local SSM Programs. The Handoff – Focusing on not only cultivating athletes and coaches interest within their particular SSM, but also connecting them to the opportunities with FCA outside of their sport. Goals for SSM

Current SSM National SSM Golf Lacrosse Baseball Endurance Health & Fitness Motocross Most recent SSM hire is: Skateboarding Ministry In development: -Training & pilot of Regional/Local SSM -New SSM Website -Board Chapter for Leadership Board Manual