Indian River County FCA

Come Out to FCA Burger Bash 2021!

Tue, 04 May 2021 13:47:40 GMT

FCA's Burger Bash 2021!

This event is FREE to all coaches, athletes, and the community. We hope to see you all there!

For more information, please contact Joe Moore at (772) 559-9116.

REGISTER NOW FOR GLOWBALL

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 20:21:20 GMT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Our first-ever glow-in-the-dark dodgeball tournament will be Saturday, March 13 from 6 to 9 pm. All Indian River county youth age 12-18 are invited to participate in the tournament.

The block party event will be at Leisure Square in Vero Beach. The tournament will take place between 7 and 8 pm, featuring glow-in-the-dark dodgeballs and black lights.

Come dressed in your best glow-in-the-dark gear, glowsticks, and glow paints. Some glow will be provided.

Before, after, and during the tournament students will have the opportunity to enjoy live worship and praise music from Master's Academy's Praise team.

The SALT Team, FCA, and volunteers will be on site to assist with check-in, host games and challenges, and more.

Food will be available for purchase.

Email JR Crooks with questions about the dodgeball tournament.

All is Calm and Bright in 2020 and Beyond!

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:10:10 GMT

Taking the "Calm and Bright" Message to Coaches and Athletes in the Darkness of 2020 and Whatever 2021 Looks Like!

JR here. I've got a thank you and a personal update ...

We never could have predicted 2020.

Yeah — no kidding.

One day, things are normal. The next is quarantine. One day, we have a job. The next we’re hustling for a way to pay the bills. One day, we’re sitting next to a loved one on the couch. The next, we’re sitting next to a loved one on their hospital bed.

2020 is a stark reminder that we never know exactly what’s ahead.

Some of us, however, do know what’s in store. We know who we believe and where we’re headed.

We have hope in the life to come. And we know God is at work in this life even when we don’t see it.

I’d never wish 2020’s trials and pain on anyone. And I mourn with those who’ve experienced significant loss of one kind or another. At the same time, I rejoice in the blessings of 2020.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

We Rejoice

My family and I look back with wonder at how our year unfolded.

It changed in a big way, and we’re grateful to God and our supporters.

Lockdown in March forced us to step back from normal busyness and reconnect as a family. It was a spiritual reset for me too.

It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns, but it deepened the roots of our peace in Christ.

I camped out in Colossians 2:6-7 for several weeks: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

These verses put Christian living in perspective: Keep moving ahead, stand fast in the Lord, and glorify him even when the storms are pressing in on us.

For me, that puts Covid-19 fear in its proper place.

And it underpins a major transition for me and my family into full-time vocational ministry.

I am now a missionary with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In June, God called me — and threw me! — into Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a sports ministry that aims to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church.

He made this happen through his gifts to you and your giving back to him. He’s blessed me, my family, and so many others who, though the prayer and financial gifts of our generous support team, produce much thanksgivings to God.

So, praise God. And, if you're one of our supporters, thank you!

On August 1, I stepped away from a 15-year career in financial publishing. Since then, most of my time has been devoted to building a team of supporters who are excited to walk with me and my family in ministry.

I've been on the phone and on the road sharing my journey and vision with supporters. All the while, I've been on my knees asking God to bring an army of supporters around this ministry to make it fruitful.

In short, wow! The team of soldiers is forming in a mighty way. But there is still foundation work to be done.

And, already, God opened the door for me to start three FCA “huddles.”

First came a campus huddle at Sebastian Charter Junior High . For an hour each week, middle-school students grew together in relationship with Jesus and with one another. It is a huge encouragement to watch them pray and play together.

Then, I was privileged to gather with a few Sebastian River High School students for a prayer huddle before school on Mondays. Our discussion and prayer time is paving the way for these students to step into leadership roles on their campus, teams, and church ministries.

Finally, our first sport-specific huddle launched with the Master’s Academy Varsity girls basketball team . This is a solid group of girls growing in their faith and seeking God’s will for them as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Much, much more is in store. I hope you're as excited and encouraged as I am.

As I settle in for Christmas and the New Year, I am humbled by what God has done. And I marvel at the big things he has in store for me, my family, you, and FCA in Indian River county.

All is calm, all is bright.

No, seriously.

The year may go down as tumultuous and dark. And the view into next year is as dim as ever.

But should we expect different from the world?

In Christ, no matter the year, we have eyes to see! All is calm and bright because we have the peace and light of Christ in us.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:15-20

I hope you can celebrate this with us. And consider joining this ministry as a financial supporter and prayer partner.

CLICK HERE TO SET UP YOUR SUPPORT GIVING

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Now we live,

A Thanksgiving Shout-Out to Our Prayer Partners

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:46:06 GMT

Thank you for praying.

Thank you.

Without prayer, this ministry would not have started.

Without prayer, this ministry will not happen.

So, thank you for what you've prayed ... and for what you will pray.

Thank you that we can call you a friend — and even a brother or sister in Christ — and rely on you to petition God to carry this ministry forward by his will and his purposes.

Please continue to pray for FCA's vision to see Jesus Christ transform the world through the influence of coaches and athletes.

Please continue to pray for FCA's mission to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church.

Please continue to pray for God to open doors for this ministry to reach new coaches, athletes, financial supporters, prayer partners, corporate sponsors, volunteers, missionaries, and families.

Please continue to pray that the lost in our county, our state, our country, and our world are drawn into a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

And please let us know how we can pray for you. CLICK HERE to submit a prayer request.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6-7

Thank God for who he is, that he gave us himself to save us and sustain us until that day!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Love ya,

Now we live!

1 Thessalonians 3:8

Lady Patriots Basketball x FCA

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:30:13 GMT

FCA Teams Up with Master's Academy Lady Patriots Basketball Team

I didn't have to think twice about Coach Dodds' gracious invitation to start an FCA huddle with his team.

So, last week, we started a new FCA Team Huddle with the Master's Academy Lady Patriots basketball team. That's amounts to 20 minutes or so, once a week, before practice to walk though the word of God, how it applies to our lives as athletes and children of God — how we can go with that word, on mission, to reach others with the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

On Tuesday, I got to see them in action during their first home game of the season. The Lady Patriots walloped the team from Boca Raton Christian, holding the opposing team to under 10 points.

But my biggest takeaway from the game? It's a great group of girls, a great team, a great coach, and a great opportunity to raise up leaders to be and make disciples.

It's also a great opportunity and one of many ways Indian River Fellowship of Christian Athletes hopes to partner with Master's Academy of Vero Beach for the purpose of building a Christ-rooted culture in our community, with special focus on youth and families.

The upcoming glowball fight dodgeball tournament at Leisure Square in Vero Beach on December 19, 2020 is another way we are partnering to engage our students and their families in the goodness of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for the part you play in this. This ministry could not do what it does without the dedicated prayer and generous financial support of those who see the Kingdom work God's given us to do.

Love ya,

Now we live!

1 Thessalonians 3:8

FCA "Invents" New Game at New SCJH Campus Huddle!

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:06:29 GMT

FCA "Invents" New Game at Sebastian Charter Junior High!

We started an FCA huddle at Sebastian Chart Junior High in October. We also "invented" a new game called pillball.

FCA meets on campus at SCJH once a week for one hour. Yes, a whole hour! It's an awesome blessing to be allotted that amount of time with these students.

The huddle is considered a general campus huddle, so students aren't required to be an athlete on a team to participate. In fact, we have several non-athletes but that doesn't stop them from playing hard!

Students open and close our huddle time in prayer. In between, we spend 20 minutes or so walking through a teaching/devotion time that presents God's word and Biblical principles that challenge them to think, engage in illustrations, answer questions, and grow together.

We kicked off the huddle with a four-week series called "The Four" that walks through the Gospel message. You can learn more about The Four at https://thefour.fca.org/ .

It's awesome to see their eyes open to this message. And it's encouraging to hear them talk through what's on their minds and hearts — and then hear the encouragement they share with each other.

Each week, we average about 14 students who are excited to be there in purpose and fellowship. Already we've had one student's family join a local church youth group. Amen to that!

After the huddle devotion time, it's game on!

Pillball is rugby meets ultimate frisbee. Players advance the ball up and down the field to their endzone. There's no tackling, and a player in possession of the pillball can travel no more than three steps. From there, they must pass to a teammate within 5 seconds. Of course, in our game, we've substituted a bouncy pill-shaped inflatable ball for the frisbee.

The students are a bit obsessed. Almost as obsessed as they are with bread! But that's a story for another time.

Thank you for supporting me and being part of FCA's mission to connect every coach and athlete with Jesus Christ and his church.

Love ya,

Now we live!

1 Thessalonians 3:8

The Closest Thing Florida Gets to a Snowball Fight ...

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:57:54 GMT

The Closest Thing Florida Gets to a Snowball Fight ...

Indian River Fellowship of Christian Athletes is partnering with Master's Academy of Vero Beach to bring area teens their first ever glowball fight in December!

A glowball fight is like a snowball fight. But instead of snow, teams of students ages 12 to 18 whizz glow-in-the-dark dodgeballs at each other. Naturally, the lights are turned off!

The glowball fight is a dodgeball tournament that will happen at Leisure Square Facility in Vero Beach from 6pm to 7pm on December 19, 2020.

It will make up the first hour of a community Christmas social event that will also include food trucks, live music, a Christmas costume contest, and more!

Parents/guardians may use this link — 2020 Glowball Fight Tournament Registration — to register their child's team and distribute a participation waiver to all students on the team.

The cost is $10 per team.

All teams must register by midnight, December 18, 2020.

FCA and Master's Academy are excited to partner in this event. Please pray that God would use the event to bring the lost to him and help students and families grow together in the Lord.

It is our shared goal to shine a spotlight on living with an eternal perspective by helping create a culture that's rooted in Christ and built up with a Biblical worldview.

With your support, we look forward to reaching the youth and families of Indian River county in the name of Christ.

For information about sponsorship, donation, or volunteer opportunities with FCA at this event, please email or call JR Crooks.

Thanks for everything you do to support this ministry and the Kingdom work happening throughout Indian River county.

Love ya,

Now we live.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

FCA in the Sebastian Christmas Parade?!!!

jrcrooks@fca.org (John Ross Crooks) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:58:24 GMT

FCA is going to be in the Sebastian Christmas Parade?!!!

Indian River Fellowship of Christian Athletes is gearing up to put Christ — and a whole bunch of teenagers — into Sebastian's 2020 Christmas parade.

Sebastian is going to run its annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 6:30pm. It will travel south on Indian River Drive, starting at Main Street and finishing at Riverview Park.

We are getting our paperwork in now. At the same time, we're brainstorming our "float" plans which will include teenagers from FCA huddles around Indian River county.

It will be our first parade appearance. Yeehaw!

Please pray with us that it will bring awareness to our FCA ministry that opens up doors for us to reach coaches, athletes, and our community with Kingdom work.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

-Luke 2:10-11

If you'd like to help Indian River FCA drop some major cheer in this year's parade, please email or call JR Crooks to discuss sponsorship, donation, and volunteer opportunities.

Love ya,

Now we live.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

A Big Juicy Delicious THANK YOU!

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:18:30 GMT

Giving Out Turkeys in Vero and Gifford, Praising Your Generosity

The man had a grin come across his face before our turkey-filled Chevy Suburban even came to a stop.

"Would you like a turkey for Thanksgiving?" Joe yelled out the car window.

The man's smile said it all, and he yelled back something like, "You bet I would!"

We hadn't even handed him the turkey before he was praising God. "God is good! Ohhh, God is good!"

Joe Moore and I handed out 16 turkeys in South Vero, Gifford, and Vero Lake Estates yesterday. We purchased the turkeys from Publix with some of your generous contributions to FCA. The price of these turkeys, unfortunately, was more than double what it was last year due to the impact of Covid-19.

The turkeys went fast. But it was a blessing for us to be able to make a small difference for some families this Thanksgiving.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

-2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Next year, we hope and pray Indian River FCA will be able to put together a few teams of adults and teens to give away 60 (or more!) turkeys along with baskets of canned goods to families across the county in the name of Jesus Christ.

So, to you we say THANK YOU!

Your generosity is producing thanksgivings to God! May his blessings pour out on you and your family.

This is just one of so many ways your monetary and prayer support is impacting our area for the Kingdom, bringing awareness to FCA and helping us in our mission to bring every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love ya,

Now we live.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

Indian River County FCA

Come Out to FCA Burger Bash 2021!

FCA's Burger Bash 2021!

This event is FREE to all coaches, athletes, and the community. We hope to see you all there!

﻿

For more information, please contact Joe Moore at (772) 559-9116.

REGISTER NOW FOR GLOWBALL

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Our first-ever glow-in-the-dark dodgeball tournament will be Saturday, March 13 from 6 to 9 pm. All Indian River county youth age 12-18 are invited to participate in the tournament.

All is Calm and Bright in 2020 and Beyond!

Taking the "Calm and Bright" Message to Coaches and Athletes in the Darkness of 2020 and Whatever 2021 Looks Like!

We Rejoice

I am now a missionary with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

All is calm, all is bright.

CLICK HERE TO SET UP YOUR SUPPORT GIVING

A Thanksgiving Shout-Out to Our Prayer Partners

Thank you for praying.

Lady Patriots Basketball x FCA

FCA Teams Up with Master's Academy Lady Patriots Basketball Team

FCA "Invents" New Game at New SCJH Campus Huddle!

FCA "Invents" New Game at Sebastian Charter Junior High!

The Closest Thing Florida Gets to a Snowball Fight ...

The Closest Thing Florida Gets to a Snowball Fight ...

FCA in the Sebastian Christmas Parade?!!!

FCA is going to be in the Sebastian Christmas Parade?!!!

A Big Juicy Delicious THANK YOU!

Giving Out Turkeys in Vero and Gifford, Praising Your Generosity