Michigan FCA expanding in four counties; banquet planned Sunday in Adrian

Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes is hoping to start and grow FCA groups in Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale and Jackson counties.

Eric Steinke is the new area director for the Michigan FCA South Central region, which covers those four counties. Steinke, a dad, pastor, coach and athlete, wants to bring FCA and its mission to the four counties’ 53 middle and high schools and colleges.

“We are currently in 16 schools, and I have spoken with 17 other schools this year. I go to whichever school is open and passionate about starting an FCA group. They are hungry for something positive for the students,” Steinke said. “I am trying to spread the word about what we have going on and celebrate what is already happening in the schools and on the sports fields.”

To get that message out, Steinke is hosting an inaugural Celebration Banquet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at 1Mosiac Church, 1002 W. Maple Ave., Adrian.

Families already involved with local FCA groups and those who want to learn about the ministry are welcome. The event will include presentations by Matt Diener, Michigan FCA state director; board members of the South Central FCA region; and student leaders. Also offered will be a food truck, prizes and prayer. Dress is casual. Admission is $10 a person. For tickets, contact Steinke at 517-260-2760.

“The goal … is to celebrate everything God is up to in our area and the growth we have already seen. Plus, we will showcase some student leaders already involved in FCA and focus on the vision for continued growth. Another goal for us is raising awareness for development of our Home Team network. All families should come, those curious/interested in FCA, those already involved in FCA and those wanting to get plugged into FCA,” he said.

While FCA has had a presence off and on in the four counties, it hasn’t been consistent, Steinke said.

“Monroe County has not been involved with FCA. A few individuals know of the ministry and are open to FCA starting in many of the schools,” Steinke said. “Lenawee County was part of an area in Northwest Ohio because of a relationship with the area director, Rex Stump. The other counties joined FCA when our Michigan state director, Matt Diener, had a vision to reunite and expand the FCA ministry influence throughout the state and created the South Central MI Area and my position about two years ago.”

Steinke joined FCA in May 2019 while also serving as a full-time youth pastor.

“About 11 months ago I made the transition to full-time area director with FCA. My vision for ministry shifted to being more missional-focused, going out and meeting the people wherever they are,” he said.

FCA offers several ministries to students and schools, including training coaches to be influential, working with sports teams to develop teamwork, community service, camps and international missions.

One of Steinke’s main goals is developing the Home Team.

“This is a network of prayer warriors for our students, servant leaders to be empowered volunteers in the schools and generous donors who support through gifts. Growing the Home Team leads to promotion of everything FCA has to offer and connection to the right people to get us into the schools and on the sports fields,” he said. “My vision is to make Jesus more fully known in His ministry, to impact students' lives with the Gospel and build up the kingdom of God.”

Steinke has worked in churches in four communities for two decades.

“I have served as a youth and family minister in church settings for the last 20 years, for the last nine years in Adrian. In high school as an underclassman, I played basketball and then switched to swimming and water polo. I enjoy playing any sport. I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I have done some coaching in football and soccer as well,” he said.

Steinke attended Concordia University in Ann Arbor and received a social science degree from Eastern Michigan University. He has a Director of Christian Education certificate as a commission minister of religion from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a master’s degree in child, youth and family ministry from Indiana Wesleyan Seminary.

The national Fellowship of Christian Athletes began in 1954 and encourages athletes and coaches at all levels to “use the powerful medium of athletics to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ,” the national organization’s website said.

The Michigan FCA is based in Grand Rapids and has been around for decades.

"It’s hard to attribute a specific start date, but there has been a presence at some schools since the mid 1960s," Diener said. "Clare High School has had a huddle presence since 1972 (over 50 years of continuous ministry) and there had been some camps and other events before that.”

The Michigan FCA currently covered much of the state. But, as more staff is added, the organization hopes to expand into other regions.

To learn more, visit michiganfca.org.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Banquet for expanding Michigan FCA April 29 in Adrian