When Jesus called His disciples, the invitation was simple: “Come, follow Me.” Without hesitation, they left their former lives to learn what it meant to truly follow their new Rabbi.

Today, that same invitation is extended to student-athletes through FCA, which empowers them to lead by living out Jesus’ example.

Kelsi Pack, FCA Representative for Spartanburg colleges and universities, spends the course of a year nurturing future leaders through The CORE curriculum before sending them off as team Huddle leaders. Meeting 1-on-1 and as a group, Pack is passionate about building up the student-athletes who will go out impacting their teams in the name of Jesus.

In fall 2019, Converse University in Spartanburg, S.C. was in the beginning stages of holding FCA meetings. Eager to build her team, Pack met with coaches to identify potential FCA student leaders.

One of those leaders was Savannah Rodgers, a pitcher on the softball team, who was a part of FCA in high school. Overjoyed when her roommate told her FCA was going to launch at Converse, she connected with Pack and came on board. Rodgers described her experience of being an FCA student leader as life changing for her spiritual life.

“Kelsi really showed me how to lean into Christ and encouraged me to surround myself with other believers who can lift me up and also hold me accountable,” Rodgers said.

After three years of serving as her team’s Huddle leader and with graduation approaching, she began the search for the next leader of the team’s Huddle. Finding a successor can be challenging; however, the task becomes a little easier when the Holy Spirit is already at work.

As Rodgers prayed about who could take her place, she invited a young teammate, Grace McKinney, to consider taking over the role. Still adjusting to the many challenges of college life, McKinney was feeling unqualified for the position.

But God knew what He was doing and softened her heart to heed His calling.

“I had been praying for God to use me in whichever way He wanted,” shared McKinney. “Shortly after that prayer, the sermon at church that Sunday was how God used ordinary people to do extraordinary work. I knew from that moment God was calling me to be a student leader.”

McKinney quickly grew into her role and served as an FCA Huddle leader for a total of four years. Holding a leadership title can come with its own accolades, but McKinney’s greatest reward was seeing the spiritual and transformational growth after discipling teammates.

“Being a part of this multiplying effect and how we all were contributing to God’s Kingdom was amazing,” McKinney said.

McKinney graduated in 2023 and handed over her leadership position to teammate Alexandra Albano.

Once again, the Holy Spirit helped ready the heart of yet another FCA student leader. Having become a believer her freshman year, Albano spent time in prayer and searched for the next step in her spiritual formation.

“I had been praying consistently for someone to disciple me and shortly afterward, I met Kelsi,” Albano explained. “As soon as we spoke, God gave me this peace that He heard my prayers.”

In its simplest form, the hope of FCA is to continue growing at Converse because student-athletes like the girls on the softball team, and many others, lead by example and extend the same invitation that Jesus gave to His disciples. The future of the ministry continued as Albano discipled the next set of leaders for the softball team before she graduated in May.

When individuals practice the ways of Jesus and live by example with a servant heart, others can step into leadership and do it well because they have seen it in action, just like the disciples experienced with their Rabbi, Jesus. 

To support ministry in the South Carolina Region, pray that the Lord continues to draw college students to Himself and create a hunger for discipleship and spiritual growth. Pray for the Lord to continue to raise up leaders, protect their witness, give them favor, and draw them into deeper relationship with Him. 

To support financially, please visit here.

-FCA-

Photos courtesy of Kelsi Pack