HUDDLE MINISTRY
Home | How it Works | Huddle
WHAT IS A HUDDLE?
A Huddle is a ministry program where two or more coaches or athletes meet on a regular basis to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. We want to empower leaders to create an environment in the sports community where the Gospel is made known and lived out through intentional conversations. Our prayer is that these environments will help FCA coaches, athletes, and volunteers make disciples who make disciples.
WHERE DO HUDDLES EXIST?
Anywhere coaches and athletes are! On the field, at the track, on the mountain, in the pool … wherever coaches and athletes are, we believe Huddles can exist to help those coaches and athletes grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Many are hosted before or after practices, before games or competitions, and on school campuses before school or at lunch.
TYPES OF HUDDLES
MULTI-SPORT
A multi-sport or campus Huddle is a small group bible study for coaches and athletes from multiple community sports teams.
TEAM HUDDLE
A Team Huddle encourages and challenges athletes on the same sports team and gathers during a time accessible to the team.
DAWGS UNITED: SEATTLE FCA
In Seattle, there is an amazing ministry happening in partnership with the ministry Athletes in Action called "Dawgs United." University of Washington (UW) hosts this Huddle every week where athletes from UW, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University and Northwest University gather to grow in their faith and experience fellowship in community. Not only this, but God has opened the door to run discipleship at the Olympic House which is a fraternity House on Greek Row. The Team Huddles and 25 Athlete Leaders get equipped there to lead at the bigger, weekly gatherings.
"FCA has played a truly formative role in my growth during my time at the University of Washington. I’ve been blessed with numerous opportunities to serve in leadership roles, such as being part of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), a Huddle Leader at summer camp, and a Resident Advisor at The Olympic House. These experiences have not only challenged me to deepen my faith but also allowed me to guide those around me and build the community I sought when I first entered college. Each role brought its own set of challenges, but being surrounded by people who continually pointed me back to God helped me respond to tough situations with love rather than anger. Through these experiences from my time in FCA, I have grown in patience, empathy, and grace for both others and myself."
- Bea, Athlete Leader
HOW TO START A HUDDLE
- Engage God First – ask the Lord what the right next step for you is. Who are the coaches and/or athletes you want to serve or build relationship with? Where are they at in their faith journey? How much time do you have to offer coaches/athletes who communicate interest? Who else will God bring to help you lead?
2. Contact your local FCA Staff member about applying to lead with FCA.
3. Complete our E3 Overview course at www.fca.org/e3. E3 is the framework for how we follow Jesus and make disciples at FCA.
Our team will listen and help you take the next steps to build healthy FCA ministry!
GATHER A STARTING TEAM
*Only for on-campus Huddles
1. Volunteer
Every Huddle requires a coach or an adult leader (pastor, parent, teacher) who will be involved with the group and assist the Athlete Leaders. Within this role, you will walk alongside student athlete leaders in your area helping them to grow in their relationship with Jesus and equipping them with the tools they need to make disciples of all whom they influence.
2. Huddle Leaders
There are three different types of Huddle Leaders depending on the Huddle.
An athlete Huddle leader is an athlete of any age who wants to disciple other athletes through an FCA Huddle.
A volunteer Huddle Leader is a man or woman from the local church who wants to disciple coaches or athletes through an FCA Huddle.
A coach Huddle Leader is a coach of any sport who wants to disciple other coaches or athletes through an FCA Huddle.
3. Church Partner*
Church partners are a central part of our mission. We want to lead coaches and athletes into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ AND HIS CHURCH. We want to mobilize members of the local church to make disciples of coaches and athletes on and off the field. And we want our coaches and athletes to find local church families that they can worship with. These are churches that will help you create the Huddle, care for the coaches and athletes, and help them grow in relationship with Jesus and the local church family.. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a church partner with FCA, contact us.
4. Campus Advisor
Most athlete Huddles on public school campuses need to be led by athlete Huddle leaders and established as an official school club through the school’s specific process. Most schools require clubs to have a staff member oversee club activity as an advisor. This could be a believing coach who teaches in the building, a staff member who is a believer, or someone who is supportive of FCA.
*Because On Campus Coach Huddles are not school clubs and are voluntary adult gatherings, generally they do not need an advisor or to go through a club process.
5. FCA Staff
Every Huddle requires an FCA staff member to provide support, training and resources to launch and support the ministry.
6. Prayer Team
These men and women commit to regularly praying for the Huddle and all the coaches and athletes involved. They can gather corporately as a group or pray individually.
Contact Info
7405 SW Tech Center Dr. Suite 140 Portland, OR 97223 USA