It's Time: Surrender Your Heart

In competition, we’re taught not to surrender. We play with everything we have, refusing to give up one inch on the field or one point to the opposing team. It’s all or nothing, and we refuse to give in. That’s the power and thrill of play. We’re fierce with our convictions and play with a deep sense of loyalty to our team and what it represents.

Surrender is unyielding, but what about when it comes to our faith? If we take the same perspective off the field as on it, are we closing ourselves off for deeper meaning? If we are to Pursue Life, shouldn’t we stop putting off the upside-down ways of Christ that actually bring us to a place of abundance?

Sometimes, giving in is the greatest decision we can make.

It’s time to surrender.
Coach/Athlete Spotlight
Coach - Issac Steidinger
1. Where do you coach?
I am currently the Athletic Director / Assistant Principal at Lexington School District.

2. How long have you coached?
I have coached basketball for 10 years at various school districts and levels.

3. What is your primary sport to coach?
Basketball.

4. How long have you been involved in FCA? I have been involved in FCA for about 5 years now. Two years as a student athlete - huddle leader, two years as a coach / huddle sponsor and 1 year as a participant in a coaches huddle.

5. Why/How did you get involved in FCA? When I was a student-athlete at Prairie Central High School, I had the opportunity to lead the huddle with some friends from various youth groups.  
 
6. How has FCA helped you to know and grow in Christ? Public Education and faith do not always go hand in hand and it can be tricky navigating those waters. FCA has always been an opportunity to help bridge that gap for me. When I was a student-athlete, watching other coaches lead with integrity had an impact on who I was as a student-athlete, and eventually as a coach. The opportunity to be a part of FCA has taught me and held me accountable to being a Coach for Christ.

7. What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach? "Who you are today, affects who you become tomorrow." We all make hundreds of decisions on a daily basis; both in athletics and in life. Each decision that we make has the opportunity to impact the person or athlete that we become whether it be good or bad. My prayer is that through leadership and relationships, the athletes I have been able to influence will consider their integrity and all that it means. I'm thankful that the blood of Christ covers our mistakes but I'm hopeful that the life and ministry of Christ will compel us to consider our choices and actions carefully as we move forward. 

8. What is your favorite Bible verse? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
Athlete - Preston Wiltz
1. Where do you attend school?
Lexington High School

2. What grade are you in?
I am in the 9th Grade

3. What is your primary sport?
My primary sport is baseball.

4. How long have you been involved in FCA? I’ve been involved as long as I can remember. I started going on a FCA mission trip with the Kingsley Junior High Huddle when I was in kindergarten. We traveled to LUC boys ranch and served in many ways for 8 years. FCA has been a part of my life ever since.

5. Why/How did you get involved in FCA? In the past 3 years our Huddle in Lexington has gained strength. This year we studied the CORE and it really helped many of us grow in our faith. I also have been fortunate to play baseball for Game 7. Our coaches put an emphasis on playing with a higher purpose. I love seeing the confused faces of our opponents when we ask to pray with them after a hard fought victory or defeat. 

6. How has FCA helped you to know and grow in Christ? Through FCA I have met many coaches and teammates that have helped me grow in my faith and become closer to Christ. This year Coach Coan with Game 7 has challenged us to speak about our Faith in front of our teammates and family at team meals. 

7. What legacy do you hope to leave as an athlete? As an athlete through FCA I want to continue playing for the glory of God and setting an example for others. 

8. What is your favorite Bible verse? " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24. This verse in the Bible is very important to me because it gives me motivation to “Run the Race” in a way that helps me compete at the highest level possible. God is glorified in both our victories and defeats, so you are to give everything you have for God so that you have the best chance at winning the prize and glorifying him through your victory. However, this is not just about sports. This verse helps me think of ways I can live my life better and more like Christ. I also think this verse is saying that we need to live our lives (Run) in a way that we return to Jesus in heaven (The Prize) and having it put into these words helps me fully understand it better.

2021 Leadership Camp
North Central Illinois FCA Leadership Camp 2021



Jr. High: July 26th & 27th
High School: July 28th & 29th


Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm (Lunch will be served daily)
Location: Eastview Christian Church
Cost: $75
Golf Opportunity
MCStrong/FCA Golf Outing
Friday, July 30, 2021
Ironwood Golf Course

"Powered By" O'Brien Mitsubishi
Make an Impact in North Central IL!
A Landmark Trip from Lakeland

Here is a recent international article about FCA Brazil.
FCA IN ACTION
Mission Directive: Examination Brings Clarity

We want peak performance, so we study film, assess our play and learn our weak points so we can work to get better. Our eyes are sharp to point out any spot we find where we can tighten our play and find new ways to train.

We’re on mission to raise the bar on our performance until we reach a new level of skill and opportunity. In the same way, when we focus our attention on our hearts and invite God to examine our true motivation, our lens flips and we see life with a new sharpness we’ve never experienced before. God’s Word jumps off the page; we hear His voice in our spirit with amazing clarity and the Holy Spirit works in us to take what we’ve found that doesn’t quite align with God’s heart and transform it towards what He desires.

It’s a bold move to make space for new perspectives, but it’s the best thing we can do to transform our lives to live more like Christ.

So, how do we gain sharper clarity and insight into God’s heart?

We learn to listen for His voice more closely. We adjust our inner eyes and ears to the frequency of Jesus. And we follow the examples He sets before us each day.
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