This isn’t just another year for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. No, it’s the start of a year-long celebration of God’s blessing and provision upon this great ministry. Sixty years ago, in 1954, a young coach named Don McClanen followed God’s prompting and put a plan in motion to start a ministry that would reach coaches and athletes with the saving message of Christ through popular sports icons of the day.
The result? A movement for Jesus Christ that has impacted millions upon millions of coaches and athletes across the globe. McClanen’s legacy will forever be tied to FCA. “God’s amazing, miraculous dream,” as he has called it, came to life and blossomed into the international ministry it is today.
Most of us don’t begin to consider our legacy until we’re older, but we should be aware of the legacy we’re leaving throughout our entire lives. Those closest to us are deeply impacted and affected by the way we live. We can leave a legacy worth remembering only when we get beyond our sinful, self-centered nature to reach out to others and share lasting Christian values.
Here at FCA, we recognize the position and platform coaches and athletes have been given to influence future leaders and generations. Today’s youth are yearning for heroes, but it’s a sad reality to know that they are usually looking in the wrong places. Wherever God has placed us—as a mom or dad, sibling or friend, coach or teammate, supervisor or coworker—we all have a podium from which we can be heard. That can be through the words we speak or by the way we model Christ-like qualities in our actions. So live out your faith today in both your words and actions! Let people know what kind of legacy you are leaving.
As I enter my ninth year as the president of FCA, I’ve come to believe that our field staff occupy the most influential position left in America. Why do I say this? Because sports play such an impactful role in our society. Our staff, the men and women in the trenches meeting with coaches and athletes and pouring biblical truth into their lives on a daily basis, have the God-given ability to change this world unlike anyone else. And, believe me, they are knocking that opportunity out of the park. They are the reason this ministry has continued on and prospered for 60 years.
Finally, one story always comes to mind when I think of leaving a Christ-filled legacy. Years ago, I met a high school football coach named Jim Rexilius at Wheaton North High School near Chicago. I was there to recruit a young man to play for the University of Colorado, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with the longtime coach, who was also a former Marine like me. Imagine my joy when I later saw him bring six yellow school buses full of athletes from the Chicago area to a weeklong FCA Camp in Estes Park, Colo.
Coach Rexilius, a member of FCA’s Hall of Champions, passed away several years ago. At his funeral, friends, family, former players and coaches, and all those impacted by him lined up to express their condolences. Four and a half hours later, the final person in line made it to the casket. My friends, that is what I call leaving a legacy.
When we live in the will of God, centered upon where He’s called us to be, we can all make a difference like Coach Rexilius. We can all leave a Christ-centered legacy. And that is truly a legacy worth leaving.
Model the Master,
Les Steckel
FCA President/CEO
Originally Published: January 2014