Growing PSU Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter connects students with Pittsburg community

By Riley Wagner

PITTSBURG — With support from Pittsburg State University students and community members, Pittsburg’s corner of Kansas has a new Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) group, which now hosts Monday evening gatherings on campus.

Meetings began back in December 2024, when each PSU sport was represented in the group by leaders who were chosen by coaches and teammates. These leaders were tasked to determine the best way to introduce and integrate the club back onto campus. Now the club has blossomed, and these founding members are leading lessons for all the athletes in attendance each week. 

Pitt State alumnus and former football player Steve Bolton serves as the FCA representative for Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee counties in southeast Kansas. During his time as a student-athlete in the early ’90s, he also attended the university’s FCA huddle. He said bringing the organization back to campus has been important to him.

“For me, it’s been personal, as FCA has, and continues to be, a vital part of my walk with Jesus,” Bolton said.

“FCA provides a great opportunity for athletes to connect over their faith while also building community and support,” he said. “It’s such a positive influence, especially for student-athletes who often face unique pressures and challenges.”

The club’s student-athlete members say they appreciate seeing other college students like them, who share a love for Jesus and a passion for athletics. 

Nick Ruth, a freshman on the PSU football team, is also an FCA leader. Ruth said his involvement in the club has helped him better himself.

“It has helped me be bolder in my faith. FCA has encouraged me to be a biblical leader in our locker room and not be afraid to share the Lord’s word,” he said. “It gives us a great opportunity as athletes to grow in our faith and also in fellowship with one another.”

The Pittsburg community, including the university at large, is close to the university’s athletic program, attending games and boosting the teams. FCA members say that makes it important for athletes to bond with others on campus, not just with their teammates.

Sophie Driver, a softball player for the Lady Gorillas, is also an FCA member and leader.

“It’s really great to have an on-campus group of athletes getting together to grow in the word of God,” she said. “There are quite a few college ministries in town, but this is something special for us, as we can really dive into how our faith affects our experience as athletes.”

Aside from the athletes who make up the group, churches in the Pittsburg community play a vital role as well. For Bolton, their support has been overwhelming.

“The churches I’ve met with have been very supportive in all three counties I serve,” he said. “A few already support huddles at schools, and some also partner with me in my ministry by praying for and supporting me financially. They see the impact that ministries like FCA can have on student-athletes in schools.”

One of these churches is PittNaz, which is also involved with FCA on PSU’s campus. Matt Williams, the college pastor at PittNaz, attends the huddle meetings every week and spends some of his office hours on campus at the Overman Student Center.

“I’ve enjoyed showing up to FCA on Monday evenings,” Williams said. “Seeing students engage with one another, read the Bible together and break out into groups has been awesome.”

Churches in the community offer abundant opportunities and resources for college students. Some churches offer a free lunch after services on Sundays or college ministries throughout the week. Williams said that at PittNaz, these include a free college-age lunch Sundays at 11:45 a.m. and college-age worship Sunday evenings at 7.

Another church involved with college-aged students is FLAG Church. Many student-athletes who attend FCA meetings also attend FLAG church services and are involved in the opportunities available.

Dapriest Hogan, a senior on the Pitt State men’s track and field team, spends two nights a week at FLAG Church attending services for college-aged students.

“FLAG Church is run by a couple of students on Tuesday and Thursday nights,” he said. “We all enjoy celebrating the good that God does in our lives. Grow Nights on Thursdays really helped me a lot because they helped me get out of my shell and share what I’ve been through. Going there with those people feels like a family. Everyone makes you feel so loved and comfortable.”

Bringing back FCA has allowed these students to feel part of a bigger community. It’s an opportunity to grow in faith with others like them. Connecting with one another offers students a new chance to bond with others outside their teams.

Andrew Branson, a senior on the PSU baseball team, said FCA has done a great deal for the athletic community on the Pitt State campus.

“I think it’s great to have a place where athletes can meet on campus and grow their faith,” Branson said. “It’s also important since, as athletes, we have a lot of eyes on us. The more we can reflect God’s image through these athletes on campus, the more people we can reach and bring to Him.”