Cleveland FCA Newsletter

September 2016

Director's Corner

A Message from Steve Sanders

Monthly Motivation:

Last week I had the honor and privilege to spend time with The Great Jim Brown at the 16th Annual Cleveland Browns Alumni Weekend.

During the time I spent with Jim, I heard him say several times that he's honored to be recognized for his accomplishments on the field but what brings him the most enjoyment is the impact he's had on people from all walks of life off the field.

Honestly speaking, I'm not sure if Mr. Brown is a Christian but what he said made me think about 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Athletes compete to win a perishable prize - maybe a championship or an MVP or in this case, a statue of yourself. It feels great to be recognized but true joy comes when Christ receives all the glory and recognition!

Jim Brown is considered as one of the Greatest Athletes of all time. But even he realized that the work we do to help others supersedes our personal accomplishments. As Christian's, we know the work we do to uplift HIM never perishes. Continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and you will receive your reward in heaven one day.

Amen! #FCACleveland

Check out our website!

Check out what we have been up to...

The 2016/17 School year has begun!!!

Things are now up and running for the FCA Huddles!

We look forward to keeping you up to date on events and activities through out the 2016/17 school year.

Cleveland Goes to College Initiative

September 28, 2016

*sponsored by College Now Cleveland and the Cleveland Browns

Steve Sanders was invited as the celebrity guest speaker to encourage the students from the Cleveland Municipal School District to attend college by sharing his story as both an CMSD Graduate and Cleveland Browns Alumni.

FCA plans to be a partner for this event next year with our FCA Urban Initiative.

Coming next Month...

If you have a coach, huddle leader or student athlete that you would like to see honored and featured in our newsletter please email [email protected].

This person must consistently display the 4 core values of FCA which are teamwork, excellence, integrity and serving. Please provide a short description of why you think this person should be featured.

Meet the new faces at

Cleveland FCA

Meet Shaun Forbes!

Shaun joined the FCA staff as the new Lake County Area Director. Shaun was born and raised in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 2001 where he played multiple sports including football, baseball, track, and weightlifting. After high school he attended Methodist University, in Fayetteville, North Carolina where he continued to play his favorite sport, football.

Shaun graduated from Methodist University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education. He traveled back to his hometown in Florida where he began his teaching and coaching career and his most important role as husband and then father.

Over the past 11 years Shaun has taught middle school Physical Education and Health, as well as World History and Civics. During that time, he coached both football and softball and led both sports to multiple championships and many undefeated seasons as the head coach.

After 10 years of living in Florida, Shaun and his wife of 9 years, Kacie, felt God calling them to Ohio. In June of 2016 Shaun, Kacie and their three children Gracelynn, Hayden and Kendall made the leap of faith and the 870-mile trip from Florida to make Ohio their home. Shaun began working with FCA in September 2016 and is excited to see how God will use him in this ministry.

Meet Darrell Myers!

Darrell joined the FCA staff as the new Lorain County Area Director. Darrell and his wife Laura met at Baylor university where Darrell played baseball and began full time ministry. He went on to seminary in Ft . Worth while on staff as student pastor. They also served in Tennessee for 10 years and North Carolina for 5 before coming to Ohio in 2008.

During his 27 years of full time ministry Darrell has coached baseball and football at every level from t-ball to high school and has mentored several collegiate players. Most recently, he has been on the varsity football staff at Midview High school for the past 8 years as coach and chaplain.

Darrell and Laura have 3 great kids- JD 22 year old son, Jamie 17 year old son and Julianne 8 year old daughter. His faith and his family are first in his life and ministering to coaches and athletes is his passion.

Meet Keith Baldwin!

Keith joined the FCA staff as the new Cuyahoga County-South Area Director. Keith Baldwin grew up in Houston, Texas where he competed in youth football and track. While attending Texas A&M University on a football scholarship he was named to the Dean's List, All Conference and Most Valuable Defensive Player. Keith was the 31st player chosen in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he played for five seasons, and was a charter member of the Browns "Dawg" Defense. From there, he spent the next two years in California with the San Diego Chargers and LA Raiders. Since retiring from the NFL, Keith has remained active in sports as founder of the "MVP Playin' with the Pros" youth football clinics, coaching and officiating high school football.

Keith has been a disciple of Jesus for almost 20 years. He has gone on mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Keith, and his wife Kelly, currently lead the Greater Cleveland Church of Christ Youth and Family ministry and serve on the leadership team. They have been married for over 26 years, and have four children and one grandson.

Meet Bob Gardner!

Bob joined the FCA staff in September as the Lorain County Area Representative. Bob lives in Vermilion with his wife, Chrissy, and their four children. He is a Campus Pastor for Church of the Open Door. Bob loves all sports, but particularly football, a sport he played from middle school through college and continues to coach today. He loves seeing athletes catch a fire for the Lord, and using that fire to inspire their teammates and coaches.