FOR HIS GLORY
Fiscal-Year-End Report
September 2019 – August 2020
FOR HIS GLORY
Fiscal-Year-End Report
September 2019 – August 2020
In 1954, God gave Oklahoma basketball coach Don McClanen a vision: coaches and athletes impacting lives for Christ. This stirring led to the founding of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Now, 66 years later, the vision is still being fulfilled—to make Christ’s name known through the vehicle of sports—and has become one of the largest Christian sports organizations reaching coaches and athletes worldwide.
In 2008, FCA Wrestling (FCAW) was officially launched as a sport-specific ministry of FCA focusing solely on reaching those in the wrestling community. The commonality of wrestling has allowed us to build strong relationships that give us the opportunity to engage, equip, and empower coaches and wrestlers to impact their world for Christ. Carl Perry, FCAW Director since 2011, continues to be humbled and thankful by the tremendous growth and support the ministry has received.
A Message from Director Carl Perry
What a year it has been! Our fiscal year (September 2019—August 2020) was filled with many “firsts” in uncharted territory. But even in the wake of COVID, God’s presence has grown and we saw revival like never before. John 16:33 tells us that although we will have tribulation in this world, He has overcome and in Jesus we find peace. When wrestling championships were cancelled, we saw God show up. When the Olympics were postponed, we saw God stand up. When churches closed, we saw God pursue. And for the ministry of FCA Wrestling, we saw God move in ways we could have never imagined. Because of His glory and for His glory, we are passionate about what we do.
Below are highlights from our last twelve months—evidence that ministry wasn’t (and isn’t) cancelled. You’ll also read about some of the plans God has put on our hearts for the new fiscal year and how your investment can make an impact as we go forward. We thank you for your continued support and for making this past fiscal year possible. God bless.
When Passion Meets Opportunity
Our passions for being a part of God’s work and for wrestling + abundant opportunities = potential for great impact.
High Schools with
wrestling programs
High Schools boys and
girls in wrestling
Colleges with
wrestling programs
Intercollegiate men and
women in wrestling
NOTE: These numbers are representative of the United States only. FCA Wrestling’s growing presence internationally, as well as our Olympic ministry, increases these numbers exponentially.
HIGHLIGHTS
The fiscal year of 2019-2020 included new staff and resources, new challenges, opportunities for finding new ways to do ministry, and the continued blessing of seeing how God works through your support.
New
Regional
Staff
4 Regional
Area Reps
New
Devotional
Who Is Jesus
A Study in the Gospel of John
Social
Media
To keep the wrestling community connected during the early months of COVID, we launched weekly Facebook Live events with top coaches and wrestlers around the country. In three months, the total number who watched was
76,600 people
Virtual
Huddles
& Camps
Virtual huddles were held in 9 locations (GA, CA, MI, TN, NC, IL, PA, KY, and Ukraine) with over
400 coaches/week
Seven virtual camps were held with participants including over
850 coaches & wrestlers
Coaches
Webinars
Bi-monthly webinars—covering topics on what coaches deal with in their sport and in life—averaged
20-30 coaches
per month
Girls
Wrestling
An Area Rep was hired to launch the first FCAW ministry dedicated to female wrestlers at all levels. Ministry has included the
first-ever Girls FCA
Wrestling Camp (GA)
as well as building relationships, starting huddles, and more.
Fiscal-
Year-End
Match
$40,000 added to our budget for the new fiscal year
FCA
Wrestling
International
Bi-monthly webinars—covering topics on what coaches deal with in their sport and in life—averaged
20-30 coaches
per month
Quick
Stats
In fiscal year 2019-2020, staff engaged and equipped over
4,600 coaches
( 53% in ongoing Bible studies or huddles)
34,500 wrestlers
( 75% in ongoing Bible studies or huddles)
Ministry Isn’t Cancelled
It wasn’t the typical year. Sports seasons ended abruptly for coaches and athletes. Schools and businesses closed, and even churches had to shut their doors. But one thing remains true: God is at work all the time and in every circumstance, and ministry doesn’t stop. Even in this unusual fiscal year—through the grace of God and your support—FCA Wrestling continued to see upward growth.
FCA Wrestling Staff
New staff added over the last three years
- 1
Fiscal Year
2017-2018
- 2
Fiscal Year
2018-2019
- 4
Fiscal Year
2019-2020
We currently have a total of 15 FCA Wrestling Area Directors and Reps. See staff opening opportunities in the next section.
Social Media
Two-year comparison of followers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
- 660
2019
- 2,877
2020
- 3,243
2019
- 4,892
2020
- 4,683
2019
- 5,127
2020
Instagram: Our average post reaches approximately 1,100 people Facebook: On average, 1,446 people see our posts daily
Twitter: 31,600 impressions are made on our account each month
WHAT’S AHEAD
We are looking forward to what the new fiscal year (September 2020–August 2021) will bring. Check out a few of our top initiatives below, some of which are already in progress.
New Staff Openings
Do you feel a calling to get involved with FCA Wrestling as a staff member? We are currently taking applications to fill four new staff positions in the Midwest Region–three positions in Illinois and one in Iowa. We would love to talk with you and help you get started. Find out more information HERE.
New Staff Openings
Do you feel a calling to get involved with FCA Wrestling as a staff member? We are currently taking applications to fill four new staff positions in the Midwest Region–three positions in Illinois and one in Iowa. We would love to talk with you and help you get started. Find out more information HERE.
New Devotional to be Released First of Next Year
After the release of our last Who Is Jesus? devotional, we initiated the process with Moody Bible Institute to continue adding more FCA Wrestling devotionals to our resources. The new devotional underway—The Gospel of Matthew: Our Surprising Savior—is scheduled to be released early 2021.
New Devotional to be Released First of Next Year
After the release of our last Who Is Jesus? devotional, we initiated the process with Moody Bible Institute to continue adding more FCA Wrestling devotionals to our resources. The new devotional underway—The Gospel of Matthew: Our Surprising Savior—is scheduled to be released early 2021.
Truth & Technique Video Series
This terrific new initiative is well underway. The goal of this video series is to create and distribute gospel-centered content to the wrestling community that pulls together both technique and the word of God in each video. Watch for the announcement on the release of these videos later in 2021.
Truth & Technique Video Series
This terrific new initiative is well underway. The goal of this video series is to create and distribute gospel-centered content to the wrestling community that pulls together both technique and the word of God in each video. Watch for the announcement on the release of these videos later in 2021.
New Website
We are excited to launch our all-new FCA Wrestling website in the very near future. You will find more information, more and new resources, and more ways to get involved with FCA Wrestling. Keep watching FCA Wrestling social media sources for the announcement of our official launch date coming soon.
New Website
We are excited to launch our all-new FCA Wrestling website in the very near future. You will find more information, more and new resources, and more ways to get involved with FCA Wrestling. Keep watching FCA Wrestling social media sources for the announcement of our official launch date coming soon.
New Name for Champions Breakfast at the Next NCAAs
Our annual Champions Breakfast—held in conjunction with the NCAA D1 Wrestling Championships—has a new name. To celebrate one of our major sponsors who plays a huge role in making this event possible each year, it will now be called The Cochlan Family Breakfast of Champions.
New Name for Champions Breakfast at the Next NCAAs
Our annual Champions Breakfast—held in conjunction with the NCAA D1 Wrestling Championships—has a new name. To celebrate one of our major sponsors who plays a huge role in making this event possible each year, it will now be called The Cochlan Family Breakfast of Champions.
International Ministry
While we continue to support and engage with our growing FCA Wrestling ministry in Ukraine, future expansion of our International Ministry includes Israel, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Korea, and the Caribbean. Plans are also in the works to produce multilingual devotionals.
International Ministry
While we continue to support and engage with our growing FCA Wrestling ministry in Ukraine, future expansion of our International Ministry includes Israel, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Korea, and the Caribbean. Plans are also in the works to produce multilingual devotionals.
Olympic Ministry
We are blessed to have a dedicated and official presence with USA Wrestling. One of our FCAW Area Reps serves as the USAW Chaplain for all of their events which includes camps, competition, training, and the Olympics. Additional FCAW staff have a chaplain focus with cadet, juniors, and women wrestling teams.
Olympic Ministry
We are blessed to have a dedicated and official presence with USA Wrestling. One of our FCAW Area Reps serves as the USAW Chaplain for all of their events which includes camps, competition, training, and the Olympics. Additional FCAW staff have a chaplain focus with cadet, juniors, and women wrestling teams.
“FCA Wrestling speaks to me from the heart. It’s a calling to influence others around us the way Christ did. It’s about giving of ourselves so God’s kingdom can grow stronger.”
Mark Manning
Head Coach, University of Nebraska
ABOUT FCA WRESTLING
Who. What. Why.
Who We Are
We are a community that supports and engages wrestling coaches and wrestlers in their sport.
What We Do
We equip wrestling coaches and wrestlers to grow stronger in their personal and spiritual lives.
Why We Do It
We want to empower wrestling coaches and wrestlers to make disciples through their example of living out Christian values.
CARL PERRY
FCA Wrestling
Director
JOSE CAMPO
Area Rep
Western Region
IVAN CHERNENKO
Area Director
Ukraine
PETE DELAROSA
Area Rep
Pacific Northwest Region
MARK ELLIS
Area Director
Midwest Region
CARL PERRY
FCA Wrestling
Director
JOSE CAMPO
Area Rep
Western Region
IVAN CHERNENKO
Area Director
Ukraine
PETE DELAROSA
Area Rep
Pacific Northwest Region
MARK ELLIS
Area Director
Midwest Region
HEATH ESLINGER
Area Director
Southeast Central Region
BILL GIFFORD
Area Director
Southeast Coastal Region
LISA HANKINS
Girls’ Wrestling
Southeast Coastal Region
BRIAN HALL
Area Rep
Midwest Region
TIM HESS
Area Rep
Western Region
HEATH ESLINGER
Area Director
Southeast Central Region
BILL GIFFORD
Area Director
Southeast Coastal Region
LISA HANKINS
Girls’ Wrestling
Southeast Coastal Region
BRIAN HALL
Area Rep
Midwest Region
TIM HESS
Area Rep
Western Region
TIM LAMBERT
Area Rep
Great Lakes Region
JACOB LANDERS
Area Rep
Great Lakes Region
RUSTY PARKS
Area Rep
Southeast Central Region
BOBBY SHRINER
Area Rep
Carolinas Region
BEN SWARR
Area Rep
Mid-Atlantic Region
TIM LAMBERT
Area Rep
Great Lakes Region
JACOB LANDERS
Area Rep
Great Lakes Region
RUSTY PARKS
Area Rep
Southeast Central Region
BOBBY SHRINER
Area Rep
Carolinas Region
BEN SWARR
Area Rep
Mid-Atlantic Region
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