Finding the balance between praise and prayer has been instrumental in the development of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. FCA was rebuilt at Lakeland University starting in the 2024-25 school year by Mitch Vechione, Lakeland’s head golf coach. Every session, conducted in the Film Room in the Wehr Center on Monday nights at 7 p.m., starts with praise and ends with prayer.
FCA is part of a global organization that combines a passion for faith and sports to present the Christian message to coaches and athletes, but at Lakeland the mission feels especially personal to its members. While FCA has chapters across the United States and in more than one hundred other countries, the focus on this campus is simple. Everyone is invited, no matter their sport, background or level of faith.
The group is built on the core FCA principles: engage, equip and empower, but under Vechione’s leadership, the Lakeland chapter has created its own structure and identity.
Every meeting begins with what Vechione calls “praise reports.” It is a summary of anything praiseworthy that has happened to you, typically in the last week. Praise reports consist of a variety of wins usually based on faith, academics, family, athletics and relationships. Vice President Jenna Shea, a junior on the women’s basketball team, said her favorite part of FCA meetings are praise reports.
“Hearing what God is doing in others’ lives, [getting] perspective and seeing all the good ways He is working helps you to find the good in your own life even if you’re having a bad week.”
After this, members play a game to build relationships amongst group members before moving into the message. From there, the group enters the heart of each session. The message is structured the same way every week. Vechione shares scripture and breaks down the reading with the support of guided reflection questions to help students connect the passage to their own lives as athletes and as people.
One recent message focused on Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV).
Vechione walked the group through the passage and unpacked themes of endurance, removing distractions and learning to stay focused on something greater. The reflection questions invited members to consider what might be weighing down their own race and how faith can strengthen them during seasons of challenge. This is an example of how FCA blends faith and athletics in a way that builds clarity, growth and community. Response is never required, but the space is safe and honest, often creating conversations that lead to stronger faith and new perspectives.
The meetings close with prayer requests and the final prayer. For many members, this is the most vulnerable moment of the night, and the trust to share has created a strong family atmosphere. Asking for prayer and support from a group and from a God who is forgiving has helped members let go of burdens and see active change through prayer.
President Dillon Raab, a junior on the men’s wrestling team, reflected on the way the group supports one another. He said the group is really good at listening when someone wants to talk about something or about the message. He described FCA as a “fun community where people can be themselves.”
Raab also helps lead messages as he pursues a future in ministry. His encouragement to anyone who is unsure about attending is simple. There is no pressure or expectation. FCA has helped him in many areas of his life, and he always enjoys the time spent at meetings. Snacks are also provided, which helps make newcomers feel welcomed and relaxed.
Raab and Shea serve as the president and vice president of FCA. Their leadership, alongside Vechione, has been essential in rebuilding FCA on campus and welcoming athletes from every sport and every stage of faith. For Shea, one of the most meaningful parts of FCA is the ability to hear God’s word from a different perspective each week.
What impact has faith had on Shea in particular? “Knowing Jesus saves you, hearing the good news, it all just puts things into perspective that all things will work out in the end. He is in control and there are much bigger things than what you are going through.”
Before coming to Lakeland, Shea had never gone to church and is now a regular at Crossroads, a community church in Sheboygan, Wis. Crossroads holds three services every Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Those who are on the fence about going to FCA for a Monday meeting or attending a service at Crossroads, you can always reach out to Coach Mitch Vechione ([email protected]), Dillon Raab ([email protected]) or Jenna Shea ([email protected]) via email. Both Crossroads and FCA welcome anyone who wants to grow, learn and connect. Follow @lumuskiesFCA to stay up to date on changes in meeting times, new events and any other information.