By Kirsten Kirtley
For many college students, leaving home is both exciting and scary. One thing that many college students miss is their home church.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor Tosh Miller said FCA provides a funnel to stay connected and possibly become involved in a local church.
The organization provides student athletes with a place to worship, have fun and get to know one another.
“Activities such as fire-pit devotionals, kickball tournaments and cookouts are readily available for all who choose to attend,” said the organization’s website. “All are welcome.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Education Center Room 109. President Jillian Bouse said the group provides students with an opportunity to come together for fellowship.
Bouse said she has many plans for the club this year, but her main goal is to achieve growth within the organization.
Some of her plans include a possible cornhole tournament, volleyball tournament, attending Oklahoma State University Game Day and a Fields of Faith or Courts of Praise event.
The latter two events require a band and a guest speaker to reach out to everyone, she said.
Considering the busy schedule of a college athlete, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes wants to provide a place for student athletes to relax and learn more about the Bible.
Bouse said she is hopeful the events the organization has planned will be beneficial to attracting more student athletes to the program.
Being an FCA member in high school and a part of the organization’s leadership team at her former college, Bouse said she hopes to further build the foundation of FCA at the collegiate level.
Bouse said she is appreciative of the former presidents of the program who gave her the opportunity to lead Northwestern’s chapter. Bouse said she is excited and hopeful for the future of the organization.
Miller, the sponsor, said one of the program’s goals for this year is to reach out to athletic teams and coaches.
As he recently became the group’s sponsor, Miller said he has high hopes to expand the organization through all areas of athletics.
Miller said the weekly meetings consist of reading through passages of the Bible, discussing what was read in small groups and doing activities to build on the message of the meeting.
Miller said one of the main goals of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is to connect student athletes to a church in or around Alva.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been preaching the gospel and serving others since 1956, and Bouse and Miller plan to carry the torch by providing hospitality and spreading the word, they said.