Aw, Come On Ref...

If you've ever wondered what the terms "personal foul", "offsides", or "illegal block" mean, then come to our next FCA meeting on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 a.m. We will be welcoming SEC official Chris Conley as our speaker. It's going to be great, so we can't wait to see you there (even if you don't want to know what those terms mean : ).

Wide Receiver for Jesus

Walter Payton, Steve Bartkowski, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Roger Staubach, Ahmad Rashad...If you know anything about pro football in the late 70s and early 80s, these names mean something to you. They represent the very best the NFL had to offer and still hold legendary status to this day. Wallace Francis rattled off these names and many more this morning because he had the privilege of playing with or against them during his tenure in the sport.

However impressive it might be that Mr. Francis knows these sports legends, it should mean far more to us that he knows the real superstar, Jesus Christ. Mr. Francis shared his testimony this morning about how he came to know the Lord while playing for the Atlanta Falcons because of the witness of two of his teammates. He reminded us that being on Christ's team is a privilege far beyond being a member of any other team no matter how great. He also charged us with remembering that religion, in any form, does not "get us to God"; it's only through salvation of Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Mr. Francis, for spending your morning with us.

"Falcons Rise Up!"

"Falcons rise up" may not have been heard much in 1973 when they still played at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, but the name Wallace Francis was definitely heard.

Mr. Francis attended the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff and was drafted as a wide receiver by the Buffalo Bills in 1973. In 1975, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons where he continued in the receiver position. Named Falcons Player of the Year in 1979, Mr. Francis continued to have success with the Falcons, but was called by God in to full time ministry. The 1981 season would be his last in the NFL.

By 1990, he had finished bible college and is now the national director of Ambassadors for Christ International, an organization that works with local churches to equip believers for evangelism. 

Don't miss this opportunity Wednesday morning, November 2 at 7:30 a.m. to meet an Atlanta sports legend and hear his testimony about Jesus!

Fields of Faith

Just a reminder to everyone that the Northwest Metro Atlanta FCA is hosting "Fields of Faith" on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Lovett's gymnasium.

 Heiskell Huddle and Pitcher Andrew Kown

What do you get when you mix 30 junior high students, a whole bunch of sausage biscuits and hashbrowns, and one professional baseball player? A fantastic FCA meeting, that's what!
 Andrew Kown, pitcher in the San Francisco Giants minor league system, joined us this morning. Not only did he share about his 96 mile per hour fastball, but also that our relationship with Christ is our own and cannot be inherited from our parents. Being raised in a Christian home, Andrew grew up going to church every time the doors were open, but it wasn't until his sophomore year at Gerogia Tech that a friend reminded him that knowing Christ is personal, no one can do it for you. Andrew realized he did not know if he was saved and followed that conversation by surrendering his life totally to Jesus.

Many times the only news we hear about professional athletes is when they have done something wrong or are in trouble. Andrew's goal is to change that perception by continuing to be the type of athlete young people should look up to and one who continually glorifies the Lord.

Thanks so much to Andrew Kown for sharing part of his morning with us as well as his testimony. We wish him all the best as he moves up to the majors and joins the Giants at spring training this February. We will hold on to the baseballs he signed for us and someday say "we knew him when...".

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game..."

FCA begins our regular meeting schedule (1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month) this week on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 a.m. 

Robert Mitchell's mom is bringing breakfast, so make sure you tell her how much you appreciate it ('cause I know you do!). 

Our guest speaker will be Andrew Kown (pictured above). Andrew graduated from The Walker School and earned a baseball scholarship to Georgia Tech. He was picked in the 5th round of the 2004 major league baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers. He now pitches for the Fresno Grizzlies, the AAA minor league team for the San Francisco Giants. He made the Pacific Coast League's All-Star Team in 2011 and will report to the Giants major league spring training camp this coming February.

Please be there early to meet him and tell him how grateful we are to have him visit Heiskell's FCA.

Also, don't forget to congratulate our Lady Eagles volleyball team B on a great season. They finished today with a loss in the semi-finals at Atlanta International School, but it took them three games to do so. Way to fight for it, girls!

Our Lady Eagles volleyball team A plays their semi-final games on Tuesday, October 4 at AIS and we wish them all the best.

Congratulations is also due to the boys' cross-country team for placing first on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the Heritage Invitational. Whoo hoo!! I'm proud to be an Eagle!

Lady Eagles Volleyball

FCA's Heiskell Huddle is so proud of our girls' volleyball team in their inaugural season. Cheer them on this Thursday at their last home game as they take on Heritage Preparatory School at 4:30 p.m. 

Go Lady Eagles!