Feature Story and Photos By Larry H. Oskin
The South Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (SLCFCA) hosted their annual South Lake County Night of Champions Awards event at the Living Home Church Wesley Center. The FCA Night of Champions gave over 120 athletes and their coaches the opportunity to hear the expanding impact of FCA Ministry Programs here in South Lake County. With over 400 people in attendance, the athletes, coaches, and parents were honored. South Lake students and their parents were there from East Ridge, Lake Minneola, Montverde, Real Life Christian Academy, and South Lake High Schools.
FCA Area Director, Tim Hancock noted, “Our FCA is truly blessed to work with so many amazing coaches and athletes here in our South Lake County Area Schools. The athletes selected have earned our FCA Coach’s Choice Award which have demonstrated our FCA Core Values by a steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Community Service, Teamwork, and Excellence. They truly are world changers.”
With the South Lake FCA leadership team welcoming everyone were Tim Hancock, Area Director; Kahlil ‘Tuck’ Tucker as Metro Area Director; Mary Berens as their Administrative Assistant and FCA Ambassador Amanda Palomares. The speakers shared their FCA Core Values with 4 C’s, Campus, Camps, Coaches & Community through the testimonies from coaches and athletes.
With opening comments and prayers, Area Director Tim Hancock and their staff led their inspirational program presentation designed to celebrate local athletic youth through a commitment to integrity, community service, teamwork, and excellence. Dr. Jeff Duke called for their 15 coaches to take the stage for their honors. Khalil ‘Tuck’ Tucker shared “We want to lead every athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We work to focus on 3 FCA E’s; Engage, Equip, and Empower with other athletes and coaches to make the best disciples.” Their array of speakers, student panelists and coaches shared success stories with heartfelt testimonials.
Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks noted, “We all appreciate that FCA has made an
incredible impact on the youth of our South Lake community with powerful coaching, resources and training while creating empowered future leaders.” Clermont Mayor Tim Murry added, “FCA truly is a great organization. Their inspiring teamwork effectively reaches out to point our youth into the right direction, with the values and tools to become our best leaders for tomorrow. FCA guides them the way to a successful life.”
The FCA program strives to help their participating students to become better individuals! FCA is an inspired community that works to see the world transformed in a very positive manner through shared Christianity by their coaches and athletes. They work to consistently engage, equip and empower everyone to achieve success through their ministry. The FCA staff knows that most student athletes are often tired, stressed and only interested in playing sports. The FCA Coaches travel around and spend much needed time at the each of the South Lake schools while coaching, teaching, and instructing student athletes.
FCA shares their ministry with hundreds of athletes from participating local area schools and many churches. The Fellowship of Christian Athlets is part of a global initiative that has now grown to successfully impact and service youth with powerful opportunities in 115 countries. Huddles are held regularly year-round to encourage and challenge athletes, coaches, and campuses to live and compete using biblical principles through the platform of athletic competition. They offer a summer camp opportunity with comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training. FCA students can earn camp scholarships.
The South Lake County FCA staff is led by Area Director Tim Hancock, Kahlil ‘Tuck’ Tucker as Area Representative and Administrative Assistant Mary Berens. They have created their own South Lake FCA Dream Team with numerous community leaders, active board members, staff, generous financial partners, donors, and sponsors. They are always looking for new coaches, students, leaders, corporate sponsors, and donations to help make an impact in the lives of students and athletes.
For more information, contact South Lake County of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at 407-310-3146, Email THancock@FCA.org and visit: www.SouthLakeCountyFCA.org. Send mail to: PO Box 10272 in Clermont, FL 34711. Like and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/southlakecountyfca.
