AROUND THE STATE - ADRIENNE CALI

In December of 2019, God helped me identify the need for an FCA ministry at Roberts Wesleyan College, which is located just outside of Rochester, NY. Shortly after that revelation, I met Femi who is the assistant athletic director.  Femi approached me after a coach’s meeting and shared with me her involvement with FCA and the impact it had on her when she was a student-athlete at Grambling University. A few months after meeting she offered to continue to meet with me. In those meetings we did some brainstorming, it was such a huge encouragement to me. We met a few times during the winter 2020 semester and that is when Covid-19 hit. While this was a huge set back and a disappointment, we were determined to not let that affect the ministry and what we believed God had called us to.



Even though the campus was closed to the community, I was still invited to lead small group type team huddles for coaches and athletes. It was difficult and challenging at first, but we learned rather quickly that this was an opportunity to be creative and find new ways to do ministry. Those ways included huddle meetings and connecting over Zoom. We connected through e-mail and even used good old fashioned phone calls.   

At FCA we use the E3 method of Engage, Equip, and Empower to disciple coaches and athletes. In this season God opened doors for me to be able to engage, equip and empower close to 90 coaches and athletes to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Through God's presence we helped our coaches and athletes focus on how Jesus Christ relates to them athletically and their spiritual lives. This is what Anna, a volleyball player, had to say about FCA:

“FCA is a community that empowers student-athletes and coaches to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.” 

Even though this year has been challenging God showed up mightily and touched the lives of many coaches and athletes at Roberts Wesleyan College. Should I have expected anything less?

Adrienne Cali

FCA Campus Representative

Roberts Wesleyan College

acali@fca.org