Walking through the halls, students may notice an influx of black t-shirts featuring the words “Jesus Won.” These are the visual identifiers of the newest club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
While FCA is a global organization based in Kansas City, Free State’s huddle, or chapter, is largely student-led and features volunteers from a variety of churches around the area.
FCA had its first meeting on Wednesday, Sep. 24, but youth leaders like senior Darin Fehr said they already have high hopes for the impact it will have on students’ faith and relationships.
“It’s a way to get people involved with the school, involved with their faith and doing things in the community that they’d otherwise be too scared to do,” Fehr said.
While the club has yet to establish a specific agenda, students and leaders alike have said that the primary goal of FCA is to initiate a greater sense of community through shared beliefs and uplift members through devotionals and community service. Chet Kueffer, the FCA-certified leader of the huddle, said that the importance of a club based on faith is to draw people together.
“There are so many people that you have a tremendous amount in common with that you’ve never actually had a conversation with,” Kueffer said. “It’s a way to build relationships, community, with people who are like-minded and are on the same faith journey as you.”
To help accomplish these goals, FCA is using the “Jesus Won” t-shirts to drive interest and represent their faith daily. Sophomore Aubrie Young said the shirts have a tremendous effect on helping her share her faith simply and confidently.
“But I can feel like I’m representing, and I feel like [Jesus Christ is] there with me,” Young said.
In addition to starting conversations, Kueffer said that there is a feeling of comfort and pride these shirts give to FCA members, especially during difficult times.
“That can be [a way of saying], ‘I have victory over depression or suicidal thoughts or abuse. I’ve experienced some hard or even horrible things, but that doesn’t define me.’ That comes from the victory we ultimately have in Jesus over all things,” Kueffer said.
Because FCA isn’t affiliated with a specific church, it encourages students from every denomination and even multiple religions to come and explore and further develop their beliefs. Fehr especially encourages faith-curious students to attend FCA and gain an understanding of their beliefs.
“Sometimes, the hardest part about [growing] your faith is the very start,” Fehr said. “FCA provides a way to go with your friends, have fun, and learn. It’s not a commitment, it’s an introduction.”
