Student Christian athletes traveling to Africa for mission trip
Local FCA Students Preparing for Mission Trip to Africa
This summer, fourteen local youth and six adult leaders will embark on a 10-day mission trip to Botswana, Africa, where they will share the love of Jesus through sports ministry.
These students are part of a larger group involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), which meets every other Friday at 7 a.m. to talk about faith, struggles, Jesus, and the Bible. FCA, a global Christian sports organization founded in 1954 by Dan McClanen, aims to equip athletes and coaches to live out their faith boldly.
McClanen once said, “For some time, I have had the idea of forming an organization of athletes and coaches in this hero-worshiping nation of ours. If athletes can endorse shaving cream, razor blades, and cigarettes, surely they can endorse the Lord, too.”
Since its founding, FCA has grown worldwide, training student-athletes and coaches to be strong in their faith and leadership. The Pine City FCA chapter began in the fall of 2023 with about ten students and has since expanded significantly. Today, 35 to 50 students regularly gather every other Friday morning to learn how to integrate their faith into their sports and daily lives.
Encouragement from Leaders
Betsy Johnson, one of the adults who helped launch FCA in Pine City, shared, “FCA has been an encouragement to me and the other adults involved. Seeing more than 40 students consistently come together early on Friday mornings to dive into God’s Word is incredible. They are forming deep relationships with each other and with the Lord.”
Another key adult leader is Erik Wicktor, a beloved teacher at the high school, who said, “It’s inspiring to see so many kids come together at 7 a.m. on Fridays to share God’s Word and enjoy community. I’ve also led a small group of sophomore boys to go deeper in the Gospel. The leadership of seniors like Ally Unverzagt and Arissa Rydberg last year has continued with students like Piper Mettling and Macie Babolik, making this a strong, growing group.”
Student Leadership and Impact
FCA’s student leadership team meets regularly to plan events, invite guest speakers, and support the group’s growth. This year’s leaders include Taylor Tollefson, Piper Mettling, Sawyer McDaniel, Noah McDaniel, Ethan Aagard, Macie Babolik, Brooke Boland, Roman McKinney, Samuel Johnson, and Gracie Larson.
Senior athlete Piper Mettling shared, “FCA has made a profound impact on our students. What started as a small meeting of 10–15 in a classroom has grown into 40–50 students gathering in the boardroom—and we’re still outgrowing the space! God is doing amazing things. The culture being built is truly special, and I can’t wait to see how FCA continues to shape lives.”
Junior Noah McDaniel added, “Every Friday, I walk into the boardroom and see so many smiling faces excited to learn about Jesus. It reminds me I’m not alone in my faith. One of the most powerful messages we’ve heard came from Jory Magel, who spoke about the power of prayer and how it has worked in her own life.”
Magel, a well-loved teacher, said, “FCA is such a positive influence for these students. They’re being supported by fellow athletes, mentors, and most importantly, learning about the deep love of God. I wish something like FCA had existed when I was in high school.”
Mission Trip to Botswana
The upcoming trip to Botswana is a major milestone for the group. While there, the students and their adult leaders will host sports camps for local children and share the message of Jesus. They’ve been actively fundraising through events like Bingo nights, fish fries, and pizza sales. They are also collecting sports equipment and jerseys to take with them.
Senior Roman McKinney, who plans to wrestle in college, finds strength in John 13:7—“Jesus replied, ‘You don’t understand what I am doing now, but someday you will.’”
Junior Ethan Aagaard, a multi-sport athlete new to FCA this year, said, “FCA has helped me grow spiritually, both in athletics and in daily life. It’s a group of people called by God to walk in faith. Proverbs reminds us, ‘People plan their path, but the LORD secures their steps.’ FCA has taught me to trust in God and put my faith in Him.”
The group’s chosen verse for the mission trip is Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
To support the Botswana mission trip, a Pasta Meal Fundraiser will be held on May 17, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Free-will donations will be accepted to help cover trip expenses.