Former Tiger Jeff Davis speaks at FCA dinner

Another spell of winter weather on Tuesday night couldn't diminish the warm spirits of those who turned out for the third-annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) development dinner.

The FCA is a nonprofit, interdenominational ministry that reaches out to the young athletes of the world. According to Palmetto Area Active Campus Ministry 19 director Charles Gee, the FCA "uses the platform of sports to share the good word of Jesus Christ. ... We're trying to combine the love of Christ with sports."

"It's a way of reaching out across middle school and high school cliques," Palmetto Area Active Campus Ministry 19 chairman Robbie Yarborough said of his chapter which covers Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell

and Edgefield counties.

The membership at the dinner at St. Angela Hall gym in St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School was an example of its diversity. Area high school athletes shared the same stage as USC Aiken men's basketball coach Vince Alexander among others.

They were all on hand for the banquet that informed members of recent FCA activities and achievements, while providing a platform for more support - financially and spiritually.

"We're trying to brand FCA in the community," Yarborough said. "We're letting people know what it does, how it functions and meet donors."

Members were also their to listen to the evening's guest speaker, Jeff Davis. In addition to being a pastor, Davis is the player relations representative for Clemson University's football team. He might be more familiar to those who remember him as one of the captains on the Tigers' 1981 national championship team or as an NFL linebacker.

"Athletics is a tremendous vehicle to reach people from all walks of life. It brings us together," Davis said, often using his own life as an example. "I want to encourage people that there's no greater investment than young people's lives and there's no better way to do it than with Christ."

The manner in which FCA is able to spread its message is certainly a more contemporary - and likely effective - approach.

"Many people might listen to an athlete that might not listen to a preacher," Davis said of the ministry that has groups in 19 of the 39 middle and high schools in the area chapter.

Gee echoed those sentiments saying, "I believe strongly the impact coaches and athletes can make. This country is obsessed with sports."

There are four primary ways the FCA reaches out.

SBlt Through coaches ministry

SBlt Through campus ministry

SBlt Through camps

SBlt Through community ministry

"FCA gives me an opportunity to talk about faith," Davis said. "I want to give back. I want to be a role model."

Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.

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