by Larry Oskin, The South Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The South Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted their 2026 annual South Lake County Night of Champions Awards event at the Living Home Church Wesley Center. The FCA Night of Champions gave over 140 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 South Lake area athletes, coaches were honored. Students were there with their families from East Ridge, Lake Minneola, South Lake, Montverde Academy, Hope Preparatory, Real Life Christian Academy, Pinecrest Lakes Preparatory Academy and Tavares High Schools as well as a college athlete from Lake Sumter State College.
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 Serving, Teamwork, and Excellence. They truly are world changers!”
The South Lake FCA staff and leadership team welcomed everyone with Area Director Tim Hancock, Metro Area Director Kahlil ‘Tuck’ Tucker, Zach Taylor as Area Representative, and Mary Berens as their Administrative Assistant as well as FCA Ambassadors Amanda Palomares, Tina DeClercq and Central Florida Regional Director of Field Ministry Mindy Hopman. With opening comments, 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. They proudly shared their ministry with the FCA Mission, Vision, and Core Values. This Night of Champions included student and coach presentations, special color cords for each graduating senior, videos, student athlete panel presentations, and heartfelt testimonials from their athletes and coaches.
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 Athletes is part of a global initiative that has now grown to successfully impact and service youth with powerful opportunities across the globe. Leadership Huddles are held regularly year-round to encourage athletes, coaches, and campuses to live and compete using biblical principles through the platform of athletic competition.
The South Lake County FCA has created their own South Lake FCA Dream Team with numerous community leaders, active board members, and staff. They are always looking for new coaches, students, leaders, and volunteers to help make an impact in the lives of students and athletes. Community support is always appreciated with generous corporate sponsorships, donations, raffle gift baskets, gifts, and discount cards for all FCA events.
Registration is now open for their June and July summer camps, including the 2026 FCA Champions Camp, Charge Camp, Coaches Family Camp and the Florida Leadership Camp that will share comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training. FCA students can earn camp scholarships.
Their second annual Heart & Soul Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Clermont National Golf Club on Friday, October 2 starting with a provided breakfast, shotgun scramble golf by four person teams, and lunch. Mary Berens of the FCA South Lake County Staff proudly notes, “All proceeds from this event will benefit local FCA missionaries, athletes, and coaches, and families while helping to further FCA’s mission in the community.” For More Information and to register for this Golf Tournament, visit: https://fca.regfox.com/2026heartandsoulgolf.
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. Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/southlakecountyfca.
