There are many clubs and organizations on campus, but there is a faith organization that is open for everyone to join.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is one of the faith organizations on campus and is growing every week.
FCA’s mission statement is to present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church (FCA, 2012).
FCA here at Ottawa is led by head golf coach and assistant football coach Wendell Smith.
“I have been involved in FCA since my sophomore year in high school,” Smith said. “My huddle leader in FCA was a big influence in me becoming a coach.”
Smith, who graduated from OU, has coached at the school for seven years as well.
Lauren Buckles and Hayden Mersman serve as senior leaders that help Smith with the group each week.
Mersman has been a part of the group since he’s been at OU.
“I was looking forward to meeting new people my freshman year,” he said. “Some seniors on the track team suggested I attend FCA.”
Buckles also has a similar path to becoming involved with FCA.
“When I came to college, I had two teammates that were in charge of FCA and have been involved with it ever since,” she said.
Smith, Buckles and Mersman all describe FCA as a way to meet new people on campus and to become closer to Christ.
“FCA’s purpose is to influence athletes and coaches to seek a deeper walk with Christ,” Smith said. “It isn’t an over evangelical environment. It is a comfortable environment for an athlete or non-athlete.”
“FCA is a laid back environment to spend an hour a week learning something new with different people here on campus that share similar interests with you,” Buckles said.
“Fellowship of Christian athletes is an organization that is not only open for athletes. It is open for any student on campus and gives them an opportunity to strengthen their faith,” Mersman said.
“The laid back environment that FCA possesses is one of my favorite parts as well as the weekly inspirational message,” Buckles said. “It gives us motivation to have a better week and also meet with fellow followers of Christ.”
Fellowship of Christian athletes meets every Wednesday night from 9 to 10 p.m. in the commons. Anyone is welcome to come.