For 42 years, Coach Keith Allen and his wife, Marlys, opened the red front door of their home to high school athletes who were members of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. While at their home, student-athletes sang, prayed, shared life experiences and learned about God and His Word. The Allens’ longstanding commitment and heartfelt dedication to open their home, hands and hearts in service to FCA and God’s children are a true testament to FCA’s multiplication discipleship ministry.
To honor the Allens’ legacy, FCA is proud to present the Red Door Award to recognize local FCA servants for their dedication and commitment to the community and to FCA. This spring, the award is being presented to Mike Griffin, a Huddle Leader and volunteer at Nevada Union High School, who has been using FCA as a tool to lead a generation of youth to Jesus.
“We at FCA are honored to have a leader like Mike Griffin who is answering the call to share the Gospel with young people in his community,” said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “His journey from being introduced to FCA in college to guiding students to incorporate faith into athletics proves that God’s transformative power truly leaves a lasting mark.”
Griffin grew up in Cupertino, California, and accepted Christ as his Savior as a 10-year-old at summer camp. He was born into a very sports-oriented family and participated in baseball, basketball and soccer from an early age. While he continued to participate in these team sports, he found his niche in running throughout high school and for a year in junior college.
“It was a great honor to be the recent recipient of the Red Door Award. It is a joy and privilege to serve Christ through FCA at Nevada Union High School, and to partner with so many passionate people who are part of the wider FCA family,” said Mike Griffin. “I was humbled to be recognized for my service as a volunteer and look forward to continuing to invest in the lives of student athletes for Christ’s sake.”
Griffin was first introduced to FCA in the 1990’s while in high school. He participated in an athlete's Bible Study in college and benefited from FCA’s devotional materials to incorporate his faith into his athletics. As a local pastor and coach, Griffin has felt a strong calling to serve Nevada Union High School’s students, faculty and athletic programs. In 2022, after prayer and collaboration with faculty, students and his son, Josh, they launched an FCA Huddle that quickly grew to 30–40 students and has continued to thrive through student leadership, community speakers and discipleship resources. The Huddle now averages about 50 students weekly, with local pastors and coaches ministering to students and seeing lasting kingdom impact.
Jonnie Bansuelo, Multi-Area Director for FCA Greater Sacramento, shared, “Griffin saw the spiritual tenor of the school and felt that they needed to reach his lost generation of students on campus.”
Griffin earned his B.A. in Social Science from Chico State. During his college years, investing in campus ministry through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship increasingly became his focus, which further solidified his call to ministry. Griffin holds both a Master’s of Divinity and a Doctorate from Fuller Seminary. Griffin began his ministry as Senior Pastor of Sierra Presbyterian Church in March 2012 and continues serving in this position today. His great passions in ministry include proclaiming God’s great love through the narrative of Scripture, partnering with people in getting the Good News of Jesus out to the community through witness and service, and helping people work through experiences of grief and loss so that they may become reengaged in the mission of God. In addition to his work as a pastor, Griffin also coaches track and cross country at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, California.
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