FCA is proud to announce Shaun Smithson as the first Executive Vice President of Club Sports. Most recently, Smithson served as the Maryland State Director and the Mid-Atlantic Talent Advancement Director for FCA.
“God has made it clear that Shaun Smithson is called to serve as our first Executive Vice President of Club Sports,” said FCA Chief Sport Officer Josh Gilreath. “Shaun’s club experience, leadership gifting, history of being intentional to grow as a Christ-centered leader, and his track record of providing relational care for donors, board members, and staff have been abundantly confirmed. I’m thankful for how the Lord has fashioned and prepared him to step into this new calling with our mission.”
Smithson’s passion to see FCA Sports become one of the fastest growing and most recognizable names in club sports is driven by FCA's vision to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Real, lasting, sustainable change happens over time as disciples of Jesus deeply invest in others. There is no better environment for this to happen than in club sports. The amount of time and intentionality that is innate to this environment provides an ideal place for God’s work to take root and the character of His people to be formed.
Even though Smithson grew up in a church learning about religion, he did not hear the Gospel in a way that connected with his heart and mind until he was 16 years old. While on a church ski trip in Jackson, Wyoming, Smithson came to the realization that the same God who sent his Son to die for the sins of the world also cared enough about him to craft an opportunity and setting where he would be willing and able to hear that message.
“The gratitude I felt in this moment led me to make an all-in commitment to Jesus, declaring my belief in Him. However, it took another 4 years before I realized that I had no idea what being all-in looked like. At a pivotal crossroad in my life at the age of 20, I asked God for help in living that kind of life so that I would honor Him. This balance of my gratitude to God for what He has done and my dependence on God for what He continues to do, defines my faith today.”
Resonating with John as he wrote in 3 John 1:4, Smithson believes that “‘There is no greater joy than to see your children walking in the truth;’ about who God is, who they are, and how God wants them to love others. Coaching, FCA, and being dad to my kids are just some of my favorite places to help lead others toward this life-changing truth.”
Smithson served in the Air Force directly after high school and with the United States Air Force Honor Guard, followed by various pastoral roles including half a decade as the Executive Assistant for the President of Search Ministries. Along the way, he also served in volunteer and board roles with many organizations, including Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, The Travis Manion Foundation, Building Families for Children, The Park Heights Saints Community Center, In the Game Ministries, The United Soccer Coaches Association, and DC United. Shaun graduated from Liberty University with his Masters in Theology and holds a US Soccer “C” License.
Smithson is married to Jen, his wife of nearly 20 years. Together with their four kids and a small army of pets, they reside in Maryland in a small suburb between Baltimore and Washington D.C.
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