By: Sadie Miyler
Photos provided by Caleb Fisher
Fellowship of Christian Athletes went national in 1954 and has been in the St. Louis area since 1965. Fellowship of Christian Athletes, also known as FCA, is made up of coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels. According to its website, FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering, and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. The local McKendree FCA organization has been meeting at Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain and Grille since they announced their permanent closure on January 25th, due to the COVID pandemic.
Paul Krumsieg, father and owner of Dr. Jazz, wrote his final goodbye letter to his customers saying, “It’s time for my journey as Dr. Jazz to come to an end. God has me moving in a different direction in my fourth quarter.” The 1850s building that started as a pharmacy was turned into the oldest existing soda fountain, and now it serves as a place for students to worship with others in a welcoming environment.
Korbin Farmer, a volunteer assistant coach for the McKendree men’s basketball team, is on the FCA staff in the Metro East St. Louis region. He serves with both McKendree and SIUe, as well as fourteen different area high schools. Korbin was officially on staff four months ago; however, he has been a part of the organization for nearly ten years as a student, college athlete and coach. Students and athletes go through so many things in their daily lives, and they may feel lost from time to time. Students who attend FCA are not all Christians, but they are students seeking a sense of belonging.
I asked Korbin what he thinks motivates new students to venture out into the idea of Christianity. “I say many college students, athletes and non-athletes, are searching for two things – purpose and a sense of belonging. Christianity offers an answer to both. It gives us a purpose to know God and glorify Him in all things, and a purpose that has no expiration date. As a follower of Christ, we can know God and give Him glory no matter what job, activity, or occupation we find ourselves in. Jesus offers the gift of grace to all – regardless of background, race, nationality, sport, gender, etc… Being a Christian provides a sense of belonging and ultimately represents the beauty of diversity.”
Caleb Fisher, a senior football player, began going to FCA his freshman year of college. A teammate of his was helping lead it at the time, so he invited all of the team consistently. Caleb said that it has changed a lot over time. He states it feels just like a “family” gathering by eating dinner, socializing, worshiping and talking about the Bible and God’s answers to hard questions. Fisher is a servant to his fellow classmates and nothing more. He states, “I am just so thankful, and I know we all are, that we have a place like Dr. Jazz to gather as a family to eat and talk with one another.” If you are a student who is scared to come to FCA and has no experience with Christianity but is still curious, you will at least get a free meal with peers, but you will likely get much more.
Caleb advises how you can become more involved in FCA, “I suggest you do the research yourself on how Christianity is not just a belief, but truth backed up by science and evidence. Don’t go into it with a bias but go into your research wanting to know the truth. I am confident you will find Christ in the process. The foundation of Christianity is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For me, there is too much evidence for it to say that he isn’t who he says he is, which is God.”
Hunter Howell, a junior at McKendree, is a part of the rugby team. Hunter was raised in a Christian home, was in a Christain school from K-8th, and then attended a Catholic high school. Hunter didn’t enjoy the Catholic school; he felt it wasn’t suitable for him. He desired a religion, yet it wasn’t until his senior year that he became a follower of Christ. Hunter states that he is thankful for Wednesday nights because they allow him to escape from the stress of school and his team.
Wednesdays also allow him to fully enjoy himself in fellowship with his friends and help him dive deeper into his religious beliefs. Hunter has been a part of McKendree’s FCA since his freshman year. Before that, he worked in football camps as a counselor for FCA and was a camper for FCA sports summer camps. “My experience with FCA has been nothing but amazing. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week. I love getting to spend time with my roommate as well as the other people that attend FCA.” The goal of FCA is not conversion, rule based, or traditional. It’s all about finding a relationship with God.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes meet at 230 W St. Louis Street in Lebanon (Dr. Jazz) every Wednesday at 6:30 pm. You do not have to be an athlete to join, everyone is welcome!
