Athletes at Willow Springs Middle School now have the opportunity to join the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an organization found in more than 40 countries and five continents.

Although FCA has been at the high school for a few years, it’s new to Willow Springs this year. Coach Tandi Morgan is the sponsor of the group.

“We play games, have worship and a devo,” Morgan said. “There’s also food and drinks for the kids while we hang out.”

Every other Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., seventh and eighth grade students from WSMS meet up and worship the Lord together. There are games, singing, praying, and talking. Each week the location changes.  

Eighth grade student leader Lily McCutcheon said that the new group will help students get to know each other better.

“I think that FCA is a way where all Lovejoy athletes can grown close together with God and with each each other by hearing each other’s testimonies,” eighth grade student leader Lily McCutcheon said. “I think middle school FCA will only bring us closer together with each other and God and will introduce us to what it will be like to be at high school. With WSMS offering FCA we can all grow together in Christ and watch everyone go through their life experiences and testimonies together.”

FCA was first established in 1947 when Don McClanen came up with the idea to form an organization where athletes and coaches could gather together and learn more about their faith.

“For some time, I have had the idea of forming an organization of athletes and coaches in this hero-worshiping nation of ours,” FCA founder Don McClanen said in a statement on the FCA website. “If athletes can endorse shaving cream, razor blades and cigarettes, surely they can endorse the Lord too. So my idea is to form an organization that would project you as Christian men before the youth and athletes of our nation.”