For Megan, my Niece
Tributes
:
God's Shining Basketball Star
by Debi Pick Marquette
When Megan was so very small
Already she loved basketball
Saw dad and brother shooting hoops
Could not be kept out of the loop
And by the early age of five
Her hand and ball skills came alive
Her dribbling was so unique
More talent showed with every week
By 5th grade we knew she'd go far
10 yr old girl basketball star
Then 7th/8th grade football too
Back then an unheard thing to do
In high school she was Hall of Fame
And all the schools would know her name
In college played and graduate
Then college coaching was her fate
Husband was college football coach
Their life together they'd approach
The faith that they both held so dear
Would lead them to their big career
So, every day in every way
They help the teens through FCA
They coach and teach, and kids aren't bored
In all sports, lead them to the Lord
I love her dearly, she's my niece
Her character is love and peace
A love of God that's deep within
To do what's right and not of sin
Now, John and Megan have two boys
Two football boys, she so enjoys
Their life's lived much on football sod
And they give all the praise to God
Then there are times that they must move
Their loyalty they always prove
It isn't easy this I know
They're happy wherever they go
So Happy Birthday, with much love
Thank you for serving God above
Megan, I'd like to say out loud
Your Auntie Debi's mighty proud
Author Notes
Megan and John have lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania and are now in Utah, while they serve the Lord and coach young athletes of all ages.
In 1947, Don McClanen was a Christian college student with a passion for sports. As he was clipping magazine articles of his favorite celebrity athletes, McClanen had an epiphany: What if instead of promoting commercial products such as razors and shaving cream, players leveraged their influence for the glory of God?
For the next seven years, McClanen prayed about what it might look like to activate and facilitate this vision. He would eventually join with the organization other founding fathers Dr. Louis H. Evans, Dr. Roe Johnston and Branch Rickey, among others to bring this idea to life. Their collective vision became the foundation for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which was officially chartered in 1954.
In 1956, FCA held its first National Conference in Estes Park, Colorado a precursor to today FCA Camps, which are now a staple of the organization ministry. From that nascent camp grew the network of citywide programs, chapters and Huddles that broadened FCA's initial scope into a synergistic, national program.
Building on the words of Billy Graham, who once said, A coach will influence more people in a year than most people will in a lifetime, FCA next began focusing on reaching coaches as well as athletes. Through the years coaching legends including Tom Landry, Tom Osborne, Bobby Bowden, Grant Teaff, Frank Broyles and Kay Yow have joined FCA to impact countless athletes and fellow coaches.
One man's yes to God's dream has resulted in millions of lives being impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes, and we would not be where we are today without the vision, hard work and faith of founder Don McClanen and other FCA forefathers said Shane Williamson, FCA President and CEO.
Today FCA is a premier global leader in sports ministry, encouraging thousands of sporting participants around the world to represent Christ through excellence both on and off the field. The organization now has nearly 3,000 U.S. staff and international leaders while serving in 90 countries.
This November, FCA will celebrate seven decades of sports-based outreach and reflect on a ministry that has impacted millions for the Kingdom of God.
That dream has become a legacy that includes a diverse range of ministry initiatives, including:
Huddles, certified small-group studies for coaches and athletes
Camps, an inspirational environment for athletes and coaches who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training
Fields of Faith, FCA's community outreach event held throughout the world
FCA Sports is an exceptional sports experience where trained coaches and volunteers take a 360 approach to leading each athlete as they compete on FCA teams organized as leagues and clubs. This holistic effort starts with the heart and fully develops the spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and interpersonal skills athletes need to be successful in sports and in life.
Like any good team, FCA's stats are impressive. Over the last year alone, FCA organized 21,161 Huddles, 309 FCA SportsLeagues and Clubs, held 1,058 Camps and supported 631 Fields of Faith events. Most of all, more than 53,000 students made a decision to follow Christ.
For Williamson, this milestone serves as a reminder of all God has done, and a precursor to all He will do moving forward.
Williamson shared, As we look back on 70 years of what God has done in and through this ministry, we give Him thanks and praise, and look in expectancy for what He will do in the next 70.
