FCA Aims to Inspire

One of the longest-serving clubs at FCHS is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club/Bible Study (FCA).

FCA meets on club days in room 4502, teacher Mitchell Pace’s room. The club is open to all students, and you do not have to be a Christian or even an athlete to join. The meeting usually opens with a welcome and prayer, and ends with a prayer. The student leaders are senior Aden Melton and junior Madie Vogt, and the sponsors are teachers Marcie Guthrie, Justin Boucher, and Devin Watkins.

“I would recommend the club to students because FCA acts as an outreach for young Christians in FCHS. FCA is meant to not only provide excellent advice on surviving high school as a Christian and learning about how to be a powerful representative of Jesus Christ, but it also acts as a source of fellowship or community for fellow Christians,” Melton said. “Another reason that I would recommend FCA to FCHS students is because it serves to share the gospel, the truth, about Jesus and what his life brings for us,” he added.

FCA Club members say they get a lot out of the club meetings. “FCA is very inspiring and uplifting every time we meet. I feel refreshed and good about my relationship with God,” said FCA member Gee Chittenden. “I joined FCA so I can grow a stronger relationship with God, and to also learn how to incorporate that into my sports. FCA is a great club,” she added.

Sponsor Marci Guthrie’s favorite part of the club is seeing students have courage and boldness to ask questions, get excited in their faith, grow their faith, and share their love of Jesus with others. “I also enjoy watching student leaders grow in their leadership skills,” she added.

The club is considered to be a place of love and comfort. “I chose to sponsor this club because I want to be able to always provide a way or place for students to connect with others with the same ‘like-mindedness’ as one body of Christ followers, no matter what denomination or background they may come from, so they can grow in their faith together even at school,” Guthrie said.

The student leaders are always willing to help other students grow their faith, even if they aren’t FCA members. “I have been leading FCA for two years for two reasons: I have a heart for both leadership and discipleship. I personally enjoy helping others develop in quality, and I want to instill high expectations in themselves,” Melton said. “Also, I love mentoring others and helping them develop themselves into the best people they can be,” he said.

Typically, meetings have a guest speaker from the community. “I like that there’s new speakers every time, so it keeps things interesting,” said club member Madie Vogt. “I love that we can come together and have community and help people in the process,” she added.

This year, most of the speakers have been pastors or youth pastors from churches in Fluvanna, including FCA area representative Jeff Alston, Antioch Baptist Pastor Dave Vogt, Calvary Chapel, Fluvanna Pastor Matt Basinger, and Antioch Baptist Youth Pastor Jenny Faulknier.

Guthrie said future speakers will include a representative from the Gideons, and that they are hoping to get a country Christian singer who has been on American Idol for a future club day.