Fellowship of Christian Athletes nets more than 45,000 summer campers

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has enrolled more than 45,000 campers through its 266 summer camps, which began earlier this month. The year’s theme is “Inside Out,” reflecting the change FCA hopes campers make internally in their relationships with God in addition to improving their physical well-being and athletic skills. “Inside Out is about transformation, and it can only start by looking in the heart,” said Dan Britton, FCA senior vice president of ministries. “As much as you desire to change behavior, it will never stick unless you change the inside. There needs to be a renovation. “Before you begin to think about changing the world…or your teammates, first you need to change. Being an inside out Christian is about sacrifice, commitment and surrender.” FCA Sports and Team Camps are open to boys and girls between the ages of 8–18 years old. They are geared toward teams and individuals at the youth, middle school and high school levels. Camps are offered in baseball, basketball, football, golf, beach volleyball, cheerleading, karate, lacrosse, surfing, water polo and many others. FCA also offers Leadership Camps are for student-athletes, Huddle Coaches and volunteers who serve as leaders on their local campuses. These camps focus on teaching practical skills for Christian growth and development as an effective campus leader. Coaches Camps are designed to minister, equip and encourage them as coaches through Bible studies, small groups, fellowship, prayer support, discipleship and mentoring. Weekend retreats called “Couple Getaways” are also available for coaches and their spouses to break away for a time of refreshment. FCA camps alumni include Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. “One of the things that God has really worked on me (recently) is just beginning with your thought life…and trying to completely transform yourself from the inside out to be transparent,” Roberts said. “To be the same person at home when there’s nobody there as you are when you’re surrounded by 40,000 people. In order to allow that to show externally, it has to begin internally. It has to begin in your mind and in your heart. And it’s such a powerful thing to experience.” FCA is an international sports ministry that began in 1954 and has a presence in schools across the United States. It is based in Kansas City, Mo. Links: Fellowship of Christian Athletes: http://www.fca.org/ Brian Roberts statistics and biography: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=406878