For 37 years, Calvin Linning has been a fixture in Dorchester County (S.C.) athletics, coaching everything from football and basketball to baseball and volleyball. But while he spent decades teaching students how to run plays and score points, he realized he wasn’t teaching them the most important lesson of all: the value of a relationship with Jesus.

The realization didn’t come gently. It arrived on a devastating night in 2003 that shifted Linning’s world forever.

Five of his Woodland High School basketball players were involved in a tragic car accident. Only one survived. That same evening, before the news even reached him, Linning attended a revival service where the minister posed a question that pierced his heart: “Is anyone here ashamed of the Gospel?”

The question, inspired by Romans 1:16, lingered in his mind. He had always believed in building character, but he hadn’t been bold about his faith. When he received the heartbreaking call about the accident hours later, his resolve hardened not a vow.

“I made the commitment that… no student that came under my class, my tutelage, no players that I had, would ever not know about the goodness of Jesus Christ,” Linning said. “He is waiting to embrace them, take them in, lead them and guide them.”

He went to the hospital, shared the Gospel with the surviving athlete and has been sharing it with his students ever since. Today, he serves as a leader with FCA and is part of a team of leaders seeing fruit in ministry.

“FCA is a wonderful tool to share Jesus Christ and the goodness of God with young people,” said Linning.

“What God is doing [at Woodland High School] in many ways is a representation of what is happening in our area,” said Jeff Gerber, FCA Director for Dorchester and Colleton Counties. “The story of Coach Linning and his testimony has a lot to do with it. God has put people in place in leadership and then stirred their hearts in preparing them to focus on getting the Gospel to kids.”

Gerber said Linning’s sensitivity to the Spirit of God and his willingness to use his platform are examples for others to follow.

Thanks to the prayers and dedication of leaders over many years, FCA ministry at Woodland High School has seen exponential growth. Attendance has skyrocketed from just 30 students las year to nearly 300 this year—almost half the student body—gathering during a brief homeroom period.

The impact isn’t just in attendance numbers; it’s in changed lives. Gerber noted that 80 students came to faith in Jesus last fall, and more than 100 were baptized.

“I’m not bringing pizza, and I’m not bringing donuts,” said Michael Knotts, FCA Summerville Representative. “There is nothing but the love of God and the truth of Jesus Christ. That’s all we are bringing, and [students] are showing up week after week.”

The explosive ministry growth has spilled over into the nearby middle school. During a weekly club period as part of the school day, about 200 of the school’s 450 students participate in Bible study.

“God is really moving in the hearts of these young people,” Knotts said. “They are so hungry for the truth spoken in love.”

Knotts also said supportive administrations and the ability to meet during the school day have fueled ministry growth at these schools.

Despite the packed cafeterias and impressive numbers, Linning remains grounded. He encourages other FCA leaders not to despise small beginnings.

“Our cafeteria is full, but it didn’t start out like that,” Linning said. “It started out with the same two or three kids. So don't get discouraged, because God is moving, even if you don't see it at first.”

As the FCA team looks across Dorchester and Colleton Counties, they see a field ready for harvest.

“There is always more to be done,” Gerber said. “That’s what motivates us to keep going.”

**Watch Calvin Linning’s powerful testimony

-FCA-