Local Area FCA Blog

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlights February 2023

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:56:10 GMT

MINISTRY UPDATE

Since our last update, FCA staff and volunteers have continued to come alongside a dozen coaches and four campus ministries to continue to engage, equip and empower coaches and athletes in E3, 360 Coach and DBS Bible studies. I am encouraged to say volunteers within our counties have grown from two volunteers to eight within the last year. As we enter into 2023, we praise God that He provided the finances to purchase new Bibles for campus ministry and 15 scholarships for athletes to attend FCA Sports Camp. Thank you for your continued generosity!

�� PRAYER REQUESTS

● Planning for the FCA Outdoor event in June 2023.

● Ukraine FCA Staff: For safety and good conditions to survive winter as they have limited water and power.

● For our volunteers who give time and resources to serve our local athletes.

● May our FCA athletes attending sports camp be bold to invite a friend who does not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In January, FCA launched its new theme for 2023. GREATER, which is based on John 3:30. “He must become greater; I must become less”. This is my favorite FCA theme since I have been involved in this ministry dating back to 2015. Feel free to ask me why the next time you see me!

Iowa FCA Sports Camp

Registration is NOW open!

July 10-July 14, 2023 Central College, Pella, IA. Go to: iowafca.org/pellacamp to register.

“FCA camp was such a fun time! The amazing coaches, powerful messages, and awesome worship taught me how to glorify God in everything I do, including when I play”.

Camp Testimony- Angelina K.

LOOKING AHEAD:

We are excited to announce on
Saturday, June 24th, the
MVFCA will be hosting its first,
FCA Outdoors event at Lost Grove Lake near Eldridge, Iowa. We will be hosting a kayak bass tournament. The first FCA Outdoors event in the state of Iowa.

Save the date!

He must become GREATER; I must become less. John 3:30

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlights November 2022

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:13:08 GMT

MINISTRY UPDATE

Louisa-Muscatine FCA has officially started! I love our Falcons! Our huddle coaches, volunteers and student-leaders have been faithful, available, and trainable as we began moving towards campus ministry at L-M a year ago. Our Falcon student leaders began FCA in learning the four core values of FCA: Integrity (Proverbs 11:3), Serving (John 13:1-17), Teamwork (Philippians 2:1-4), and Excellence (Colossians 3:23-24). We were blessed to have twenty students attend the second huddle held on October 27th. God has been on the move in the lives of coaches and athletes within L-M.

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PRAYER REQUESTS

● Pray for our unstaffed counties of Dubuque, Scott, and Lee. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

● Pray for our newest MVFCA teammate, Kevin Bowman, as he begins as a Field Ambassador in Clinton and Jackson Counties

● Pray for our coaches/volunteers in our huddles at L-M, Muscatine and Wapello to Engage, Equip and Empower our athletes for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

FINANCIAL MINISTRY

Financial ministry is instrumental in fulfilling the mission of FCA. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me on a monthly basis to impact coaches and athletes. Your monthly gift allows FCA to have the opportunity to purchase resources, materials, and camp scholarships for local athletes and coaches. To give visit: https://my.fca.org/joshhelscher

FIELDS OF FAITH

Fields of Faith was held on October 12th with athletes from L-M, Muscatine, Wapello and Winfield-Mt. Union in attendance. Despite FOF having to be moved from a football field to a gym, it was a success! FOF is a night of prayer, worship and student-athlete testimonies, with some fun mixed in. The student-athlete testimonies were amazing! It was encouraging to hear athletes pray for the other campuses in attendance and to hear how God has been working in the lives of athletes within MVFCA.

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlights August 2022

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 12:48:31 GMT

Ministry Highlight August 22

FCA SPORTS CAMP WRAP-UP!

In July, 383 student-athletes invaded Central College in Pella, Iowa to be led into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His church and to sharpen their sport skills. The Mississippi Valley had 31 athletes attend in the sports of football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, softball, cross country and wrestling. 13 athletes from Louisa and Muscatine Counties attended with 6 receiving a full scholarship to attend.

Thank you to the churches, businesses and families who financially give to FCA so our athletes have the opportunity to attend camp as we continue to fulfill the mission of FCA. To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Financial ministry is instrumental in fulfilling the mission and vision of FCA. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me to impact coaches & athletes. To give visit: https://my.fca.org/joshhelscher

Looking Ahead!

Fields of Faith

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Fields of Faith is a student-led event!

Students from multiple schools invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. Follow us on Facebook at FCA Louisa Muscatine Counties or on Insta at fca_louisamuscatine for upcoming information!

Summer Camp Testimony

I had a wonderful experience at FCA Camp. It helped strengthen my relationship with God, and taught me things I can apply to my life and sport. I am grateful that I was placed in a wonderful huddle. Chapel time was my favorite part of camp as the messages were powerful and music

uplifting. - Maggie H.

PRAYER REQUESTS

● Huddles, student-athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers as fall sports begin and with school approaching

● Fields of Faith Planning within MVFCA

● FCA staff in Ukraine as they continue to operate summer sport camps within Ukraine

● Student leader development at L-M High School

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlight May 22

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:12:09 GMT

Ministry Highlight May 22

MINISTRY UPDATE:

FCA has launched a new, 10-week study created to connect coaches with a community of coaches who desire to live out the Kingdom of God in every area of their lives. The 360 Coach Course may be the most powerful course you’ve ever invested into yourself, athletes and family. Contact Area Rep. Joshua Helscher to get signed up for a summer study.

Coach Update: 2021-2022 school year

Ten Coaches Discipled through E3 Discipleship studies- Engaging, Equipping and Empowering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Pray for our
Seniors as they transition into college or life beyond high school and as they make future decisions.
Pray students to be led to attend FCA camp, and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Pray for our international FCA ministry partners in Ukraine.

IOWA FCA SPORTS CAMP

will be held July 11-July 15th, 2022, at Central College, Pella Iowa. Registration is NOW open for boys and girls entering 8th grade through graduated seniors.

New for 2022: Girls Wrestling!

Sign-up today at https://iowafca.org/pellacamp

Financial ministry partners are instrumental to further the mission of FCA in Louisa & Muscatine counties. If you're interested in providing support or helping with camp scholarships please contact Josh Helscher at 1-319-750-3183 or go to https://my.fca.org/joshhelscher to donate.

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlight February 22

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:12:08 GMT

Ministry Highlight February 22

MINISTRY UPDATE:

Since coming on staff in November 2021, Michelle and I have had the opportunity to begin to Engage, Equip and Empower seven coaches for the Gospel of Jesus Christ through FCA E3 Discipleship and Discovery Bible studies. It has been a blessing to see coaches enter FCA ministry and make a personal commitment to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. Growth that they take back to the athletes they coach as well as to their families. Billy Graham summarized the vision of FCA when he said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.” FCA recognizes the most strategic way to reach athletes with the Gospel is to first engage the coach and empower them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Coach Testimonies:
As a result of working with FCA Ministries,
I have begun to have a stronger relationship with Jesus through scripture. My knowledge of God has grown and it has made me more confident in pointing others to the Bible.

-Coach Eric

Financial ministry partners are instrumental to further the mission of FCA. Michelle and I continue to look for financial ministry partners to support FCA Ministries in the areas of scholarships, camps and materials including FCA Student Bibles and gear. If you're interested in providing support please go to https://my.fca.org/joshhelscher to donate.

PRAYER REQUESTS

● Pray for Michelle as she balances being a wife, mother, teacher and also an instrumental part of our ministry.

● Pray for our seniors as they continue to navigate their last semester and as they make future decisions.

● Pray for our international FCA ministry partners in Ukraine.

● Pray students to be led to attend FCA camp, and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Josh Helscher Ministry Highlight November 21

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:12:06 GMT

Ministry Highlight November 21

MINISTRY UPDATE

I am excited to announce that as of November 1, 2021, I am officially on staff with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes! I have been assigned as the Area Representative for Louisa and Muscatine Counties within the Mississippi Valley as well as the Winfield and Durant School Districts. Michelle and I want to thank everyone who provided PRAYER and financial ministry partnership to FCA Ministries and our family. God has done the heavy lifting for our family since beginning this journey in July! We have really enjoyed the time we had to meet with families and churches as we raised support. We are looking forward to seeing God work through FCA Ministries in the lives of coaches and athletes within the Mississippi Valley.

LOOKING AHEAD

I have had the opportunity to begin working with coaches in Louisa and Muscatine Counties in FCA E3 Discipleship and Discovery Bible studies. I look forward to continuing to work with these coaches and am looking for additional coaches to work with through FCA Ministries.

FCA and I continue to look for financial ministry partners to further FCA Ministries in the areas of scholarships, camps and materials including FCA Student Bibles and Gear. If you're interested in being part of this please go to https://my.fca.org/joshhelscher to donate.

To continue the Mission of FCA within the Mississippi Valley, which is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.

PRAYER REQUESTS

● For our FCA coaches and athletes as they transition into winter sports

● The Helscher Family as we continue to navigate the transition into FCA Ministry

● Staffing as Scott, Clinton, Jackson and Lee counties are unstaffed areas within the Mississippi Valley FCA.

● For the student led huddles on the campuses of Muscatine and Wapello

You Are Rooted

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:06:22 GMT

Every Way Like Christ

We’ve found new life in Christ and now live in His freedom. We play with ease, share with our teammates about how God has saved and redeemed us and we seek to serve those around us.

As followers of Jesus, we are to be rooted and grow deep in the life of Christ and learn how to live Every Way Like Christ.

Our faith should impact every part of our lives and deepen our relationship with Jesus and others. From embracing Everything in Christ , reaching Everyone Through Christ , and acting Every Way Like Christ , we shift our focus from the things of this world to the blessings in Christ.

"But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ."

Ephesians 4:15

We continue living Every Way Like Christ by showing others the richness of life He invites us

to be a part of.

When we know the playbook forwards and backwards, we’re confident in whatever play our coach calls. When it’s called in the huddle, we don’t even have to think; our mind goes to the route and our body automatically makes the movements. We’re certain of what we’re running as a team, and we’re certain of our own part to play.

With our newfound freedom and salvation through Jesus, we can stand confident about our role in God’s family.

But we need to strengthen our faith and understand the life God is calling us to. He wants us to know Him better, love Him with all our hearts and to love our neighbors, teammates, family and community (Matthew 22:37-40).

How do we stay rooted in the new life we have through Christ?

If we are fully invested into having a Christ-like attitude, we must surround ourselves with people and tools imperative to our spiritual well-being.

"So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude."

Colossians 2:6-7

Study God’s Word

The Bible is God’s Word. It is alive and active, and it is where we can hear His voice and heart. He has the ultimate wisdom, and when we ask for understanding or to know what He wants to say, we expect to hear from Him. The more we memorize Scripture, the more we can stand against the enemy’s attacks. And the more we can fight back, the more we stand victorious through the promises of God and the work Jesus has already done.

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Be in Prayer

Prayer is sometimes seen as a last resort when it should actually be our first action. Prayer is powerful—we get to come before the God of the universe as His son or daughter, free to tell Him anything, and He will hear us because of the righteousness of His Son. Prayer changes things, and it draws us into closer conversation with our Creator. We get to know His heart and His will, and it refines us as well. There is nothing better than getting to know God better and seeing Him answer prayer.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

James 5:16

Meet with People

This is a harsh world full of tragedy, temptation, disappointments and heartache. But it’s better when we’re together. God created us for community, and He knows how we can encourage one another, disciple and grow together. When we are united in Christ, we are His hands and feet, charged with lending a helping hand to someone in need, offering a place of refuge and sharing the love of Christ with a world in need of His light. The more we grow together, the greater the Kingdom impact.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

Let’s build our lives on Him who is our cornerstone. Let His strong roots entwine with yours for Kingdom service. Pour out your heart for Him, so when challenges come, you won’t only be ready, but you will have a solid foundation from which to face them.

Question: Is there anywhere in your faith where you’d like to be more firmly rooted? How can you take steps to strengthen this area?

Challenge: Invite your team to go through The CORE together for further spiritual strengthening

Live in Freedom

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:59:21 GMT

There is hope to find a way forward.

If you are an athlete or a coach, freedom may not appear to fit in your world. As an athlete, you are under the authority of coaches and expectations. As a coach, you may be also under expectations and under the authority of those who put you there. But there is hope to find a way forward: Freedom is available.

Through God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you will experience freedom that you never expected. When you put your whole trust into Christ, it can change everything about you. You will no longer be a slave to what the world says. You can have confidence that God has already overcome the world and you can live out of that as your status as His child.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

What does this freedom have to do with being a coach or athlete? When Jesus changes you, He wants to be a part of your whole being. That means He wants to help you see your sport differently too. There are many ways this can happen, but here are three thoughts to help you live in freedom.

You will be free to compete.

When you realize that your talent and passion for the sport was given to you by Him, you will want to please and honor Him by giving your all. That includes training, film time, time on weekends and how you interact with your teammates and family. FCA’s Competitor’s Creed says, “I compete for the pleasure of my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.” When He has given you something and you use it for Him as best you can, He is glorified by it.

You will be free to fail.

When you are in Christ, you will see that your value is not, nor should be, found in your sport. It is in Christ! God made you, Jesus redeemed you and the Spirit abides within you. You are His, so when you compete for Him, you can go as hard as you are able.

If you do make a mistake or fail in some way, you know that you are still loved and highly valued.

You will be free to love others.

Remember, your intentions, motivations, thoughts and actions will change. As a coach, you will not only see coaching as drilling the skill into people, but you can enter their world and learn how to care for them beyond the game. As an athlete, you can put your arm around a teammate and help them, give them someone to lean on when life is hard.

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

When you are free in Jesus, you are free to live a life pleasing to Him, not chained to the darkness of this world. That freedom can bring a whole new perspective of all He has given you, including your sport. Live in that freedom, serve Him in that freedom and love others in that freedom. You are free to shine His light.

Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:55:51 GMT

Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”-Luke 6:5

There was nothing wrong with what the disciples did. The Old Testament law permitted “gleaning.”

“When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:22)

What the Pharisees were upset about was that the disciples were gleaning on the Sabbath, which they had determined was not lawful to do. But Jesus refers them to an instance in David’s life when he and his men ate the consecrated bread in the temple, which only the priest could do. Then, recorded by Matthew, He pointed them to the fact that the priests broke the Law all the time by doing their priestly duties on the Sabbath. They completely missed the point. Jesus, the Messiah, was here, and He was greater than the temple, and He was greater than the Sabbath as well. He was the Lord of Sabbath.

Jesus teaches two powerful lessons for us in His words to the Pharisees. First, He is telling us that human need is more important than religious rituals. He desires “compassion, and not sacrifice.” The Pharisees were so focused on obedience to the Law that they did not love people. But the whole Law, Jesus said, was about loving others. Their traditions actually hindered them from carrying out the true meaning of the Law. We must be careful that our traditions do not cause us to miss opportunities to be obedient to God by showing love to others. Jesus is also teaching us that He is Lord, even of the Sabbath. He is God, and He is the ultimate authority. Our greatest act of worship is obedience to Him. Live by faith. Don’t get trapped by religion. Jesus is Lord. Don’t let religion cause you to be disobedient to Jesus. Jesus is Lord, even of the Sabbath!!

Chasing a Mirage

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:19:32 GMT

It wasn’t until I met Jesus that I understood it all!

“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!”

-1 John 3:1

I don’t have the best pictures but I think about this often. My junior year of high school I tore my hip flexor running down the home stretch of the state cross country meet. I held on for dear life grabbing my hip as I ran the last quarter of a mile holding off opponents as I hobbled into the medal contention.

The winner that year was one Drew Sikkema (Prince of Peace). I ran into him a couple weeks later at Nike Nationals and asked him what it was like winning state and being a champion and he said “The feeling wears off within a day or two.” and I remember thinking there’s no flipping way you literally are history! I made up my mind it was the only adventure worthy of my time and energy and I was on a quest for immortality after that climbing my own Everest. God allowed me the next year to rise to the top of Everest. I found a familiar feeling - one that wanes in a day or two just as Drew had told me.

I thought this couldn’t be right, so as I scanned the horizon that spring I decided the feeling would be different if I climbed it again and again there was nothing at the top. I told myself it was because it was only high school and immortality really rests on success in college but that too was a lie I told myself as college lay just as empty. Whatever high I felt in the accomplishments was always met immediately with we have to do better/more or it was all for nothing and it robbed me of most joy in those years.

It wasn’t until I met Jesus that I understood it all - truthfully the biggest blessing for me always lies in knowing the mirage in the desert won’t fulfill me. If you want to chase greatness by all means but know all feelings fade in time and it will never fulfill you. We invest much of our life in seeking purpose and fulfillment but we will always be worth more than the money we make, the grades we get, the relationships we have, the points we score, the times we run and the possessions we accumulate.

We are worthwhile because we are Children of God. Period. In that sentence lies all the richness the world has to offer - it is a feeling that doesn’t wane in time, it is a love that leads you through every mountain and valley and it is a good love. It is a love that frees us from the pursuit of more and says “I am enough” and allows us to live in abundance and enjoy life knowing whether we win or lose we are the same and we are loved.

Ecclesiastes 1:8

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Ecclesiastes 3:13