COVID-19 may have derailed many of the 2020 programs of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but the organization is planning a strong comeback this year with an event featuring Tim Tebow in November serving as the highlight.
“This will be a night to focus on the coaches,” said Greg Wilson, metro director of the Greater Augusta FCA. “They’ll have a good meal, and Tim Tebow will speak.”
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy Winner and former NFL quarterback, went back to baseball in 2016, playing in the New York Mets’ system. The Mets announced his retirement on Feb. 17. He reached the Triple A level in the organization.
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Tebow is an author, speaker, and humanitarian who is known for his Christian faith, and Wilson believes he’ll bring a powerful and uplifting message to those attending the Nov. 4 banquet.
The group started taking reservations in February, and response has been “phenomenal,” according to Steve Gindlesperger, director of the coaches’ ministry and area director. More than half of the 60 tables have already been sold, he said.
This isn’t the first time the local FCA has brought in a professional athlete to provide inspiration. For more than two decades, the organization held a Masters prayer breakfast at Warren Baptist Church with a professional golfer as the guest speaker.
But at the heart of the organization is the focus on coaches and student athletes through various programs from camps to Fifth Quarter events to Bible studies.
Fifth Quarter events are held after Friday night football games.
“There’s usually pizza or doughnuts, and then we ask them to stick around for a 10 to 15-minute devotional,” said Wilson.
Camps are held in June, and the national organization already has a theme of “pursue” for this summer.
According to the national organization’s website, there are four areas of pursuit. Athletes and coaches will be encouraged to pursue truth, life, and finding their team outside of sports not just inside and their mission in life.
To learn more about FCA’s local programs or to learn about the upcoming banquet, visit greateraugustafca.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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