FCA Spring Banquet 2011

    

The Southeast Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes held their annual banquet March 8,   2011 at the Rainwater Conference Center with Georgia State University head coach, Bill Curry, as the featured speaker. The banquet began with a private reception at 6:15 p. m. where table sponsors had an opportunity to meet Coach Curry. They also received a signature football signed by the coach along with an 8 1/2 by 11 color photo with Coach Curry. The banquet began at 7:00 p. m. sharp. As we do every year, the FCA recognized their FCA Athlete of the Year. This is the athlete that best exemplifies the values of teamwork, excellence, service, and integrity. The winner this year was Jessica Lynn Porter, a graduating senior from Lowndes High School. She is on the soccer team and plans to continue her education and soccer career at a nearby college.

We heard testimonies from Coach Mark Loudermilk, who is the offensive line coach at Valdosta High School, about the life changing power of Christ. He told of how he was impacted by a speaker at FCA camp and how it changed his life. He discussed the priorities of life and asked what we value most in life. His message was wonderful. This year Eric Blanton from Lowndes High School gave a student testimony and spoke about the impact FCA camp has had on his life. Eric is a rising senior quarterback and is active at Perimeter Road Baptist Church. 

Our featured speaker was Coach Bill Curry of Georgia State University. As you know, Coach Curry had a wonderful playing career at Georgia Tech followed by many years in the NFL. He played with the Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, and others. He also played with the athletes such as Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr. Coach Curry was head coach at Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech. He spoke to us about investing what we have in life. He mentioned two sources of pain, the pain of self-discipline, which is brief, and the pain of regret, which last a life time. It was a very powerful and moving speech and had a real impact on the crowd. 

This was one of our best banquets ever. It was well attended, and the crowd was very generous in their giving. Our local board of directors did a great job with table sponsorships. We were honored to have Coach Curry and his wife, Carolyn, with us. We wish him the very best in building the Georgia State football program. Thank you to the entire community for your continued support of the FCA ministry.

 

Berrien Banquet 2011

  

Our annual Berrien County Banquet was held at the United Methodist Church in Nashville as we had outgrown the Community Center. We had a great meal to enjoy along with special music from New Tradition which was absolutely wonderful. They are some of our favorite people and provided some great music. We heard testimonies from two student athletes who spoke about the impact of FCA camp on their lives. In addition, we hear a testimony from Coach Wayne Jones about the impact FCA camp had on his life.

Coach Phil Jones served as our guest speaker and again did a wonderful job. He is a very gracious man and shared a great word with us. Thank you Coach Jones for spending the evening with us. We have hopes of sending every student athlete to FCA camp who wants to go. The community responded very well and was very generous in their giving.

Cook County Banquet 2011

   

Cook County Fellowship of Christian Athletes held there annual Spring Banquet this year on Monday April 11, 2011. The banquet was held at the Lenox Baptist Church, and a large crowd attended. The music was provided by an area gospel group called 3 for 1, and it was wonderful. We appreciate their coming and helping make the event enjoyable. In addition we heard testimonies of Christ from Coach Paula Simmons, an assistant coach for girls’ softball. She did a wonderful job of telling how she came to know Christ and His faithfulness to her. We also heard from Amanda Gilbert who is on the leadership team for the high school FCA huddle. She shared how Christ has stirred her heart and called her into a deeper relationship with Him. She is planning to become a career missionary, teaching English as a second language.

This year the White-Thompson award which goes to a deserving Cook High athlete went to Dean Devlin. Principal Keith Croft made the presentation, and Dean was quick to thank his parents, pastor, and Coaches for their positive influence in his life. Following this Hal McGregor, the Area Director for FCA, gave a ministry report telling who the FCA is, our mission, and vision. He reviewed the many events of the year including camp activity and concluded by asking the community to financially support the local ministry.

Our featured speaker this year was Coach Ray Goff, former Head Coach at the University of Georgia. He shared a wonderful testimony of how he had gotten saved in 1974 through the FCA ministry. He acknowledged that he drew away from Christ and paid a heavy price for his unfaithfulness. He spoke of the shame, hurt, and guilt it brought his family but also spoke of the faithfulness of Christ who brought healing into his life. It was a wonderful testimony of the forgiveness of sin and the full restoration Christ brings in a life committed to Him. Thank you, Coach Goff, for a wonderfully touching testimony.

The Banquet was a great success. Thanks to the Adult Booster Club who worked tirelessly to make it happen. Thanks to the many volunteers who worked without recognition. We also want to thank our table sponsors and donors. Thanks to the community for responding with generous financial gifts to enable the FCA ministry to continue to impact young people locally.