By Laura Gasvoda

Members of ACU’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes are planning for another exciting year and anticipating what the semester has in store for the organization.

One of FCA’s biggest events this semester will be Fields of Faith, a gathering of multiple Big Country FCA chapters, including the McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University  collegiate chapters, as well as local high school chapters. The event, which is free and open to anyone interested, will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Shotwell Stadium.

Autumn Whitaker, senior exercise science major from Longview and FCA president, is anticipating Fields of Faith and other FCA events, but is even more excited for the opportunity to bring faith and sports together.

“The thing I am most excited about this year is doing sports God’s way,” Whitaker said. “Being able to glorify God in everything you do. Glorifying him in every aspect of your life; letting His light shine through you.”

The group, an organization founded to promote Christian attitudes on and off the field, will focus the semester’s activities on this year’s theme verse, Hebrews 12:1-2.

David Pillen, junior elementary education major from Richmond, FCA co-president, National NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Member, and Lone Star Conference Representative, is looking forward especially to ACU’s involvement with other FCA chapters this year.

“The thing that I am most excited about for this year’s FCA is our vision to reach out,” Pillen said. “For example, this year we are making a conscious effort to join together with Hardin-Simmons and McMurry FCAs. Instead of focusing only on ACU, our belief is that it is not only about us, but the community around us as well.”

Pillen said ACU’s chapter intends to interact more with other FCA chapters this year, and plans to join Hardin-Simmons and McMurry once a month at its FCA Huddles.

The ACU FCA meets weekly at 9 p.m. on Thursdays in the Campus Center Living Room. The group hosts various speakers, including recent speaker Travis Craver, a Hardin-Simmons University football program graduate who now practices youth ministry. Coaches and ministers alike speak to athletes and audience members about the importance of a Christian character and lifestyle.

The ACU FCA meets weekly at 9 p.m. on Thursdays in the Campus Center Living Room.

FCA events are open to anyone interested. Whitaker encouraged non-athletes to attend events and even consider joining the organization.

For more information about FCA and its weekly meetings and events, check the Facebook group ACU FCA, administered by co-president David Pillen.