This Is the Play That Could Change Everything

Scot Small

There’s a moment in ministry where the vision gets so big, you almost hesitate to say it out loud.

For me, it happened while looking at a map—eight counties, three cities, countless schools, hundreds of teams, thousands of athletes and coaches—and realizing: we’re just getting started.

It began with a bold but simple dream: a Huddle on every team, in every school. That dream still drives us. But God’s made it clear - He’s not finished expanding it.

Because the reach of sports goes far beyond school walls. It runs through backyards, fields, gyms, lakes, trails, and living rooms. It’s how kids are shaped, how parents connect, how communities come alive. It’s where identities are formed - and eternities are changed.

So here’s the bigger, bolder vision:

What if…

…every coach and athlete in Battlefield FCA’s region could encounter Jesus in a setting where they already show up - whether school, club, league, camp, or community field?

What if every single sports environment - whether it’s a gym or a gravel path - became a discipleship environment?

That’s the heart behind Battlefield FCA’s expanded vision. And it aligns directly with the overall mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes:

"To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church."

Everything we do flows from that mission.

The vision of FCA is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

That vision is what motivates us and sets our direction. At Battlefield FCA, it serves as our North Star - the future we are moving toward. The mission is how we live it out today - step by faithful step, play by Kingdom play.

We’re not inventing a new direction - we’re running the play that’s already been called.

The Starting Line: Revival Begins on Campus

This is where the dream started - and where the foundation of the movement still stands.

Before there were leagues or clubs, before we talked about sports complexes or outdoor ministry, there was the simple but radical belief that revival could begin in a public-school hallway.

We believe schools are more than educational institutions - they are mission fields. Every classroom, every weight room, every locker room, every field is a space where God can move. And when student-athletes lead, when coaches live out their faith boldly, and when the Gospel is present on campus, everything changes.

Right now, we’re reaching an estimated 1,500 athletes across our 8 counties and 3 cities, and a growing number of coaches - moving quickly to number in the hundreds - and we’re just getting warmed up.

We’re moving toward a future where:

Every team has a Huddle led by student-athletes
Every program has a trained Character Coach
Every school has a Coaches Huddle led by a spiritually strong leader

Imagine an entire school year where every athlete is being prayed for, every coach is supported, and every team hears the name of Jesus.

This isn’t extracurricular. It’s an eternal strategy.

This is where the mission becomes movement. This is where revival begins.

From the Bleachers to the Bench: Reclaiming Youth Sports for Jesus

We live in a culture where sports can easily consume a family’s calendar, budget, and identity. But what if instead of pulling families away from faith, it pulled them toward it?

What if weekend tournaments became ministry opportunities? What if your child’s soccer coach became their spiritual mentor? What if entire families came to Christ because they showed up for a league that taught more than drills and defense?

That’s the heart of FCA Sports.

We’re building:

Leagues where kids are coached in character, families are engaged in Gospel community, and every game day points people toward Jesus
Clubs like FCA Wrestling where passion meets purpose and athletes grow in faith as much as they do in skill
Mentor-based teams where volunteers are trained not just to coach - but to disciple

This is youth sports reimagined. Not just a schedule filler, but a soul shaper.

Beyond the Gym: Where the Wild Things Worship

Some kids just aren’t drawn to whistles and whiteboards. They come alive in stillness and storms - in wide open places that whisper the glory of God. They’re out there before the sun rises, rod in hand or boots in the dirt, hearts open in a way they may never be indoors. These students may never join a traditional team. But that doesn’t mean they’re not hungry for purpose, for challenge, for truth. And that makes them deeply reachable.

This is where Battlefield FCA Outdoor Sports comes alive.

We’re building a space for the rugged, the quiet, the wild-at-heart to discover Jesus in the beauty and challenge of creation:

Hikes, hunts, fishing tournaments, and camps where mentors walk with students and open the Word under open skies
Shooting sports like trap, skeet, and archery that build discipline, focus, and provide moments for Gospel conversation
Outdoor experiences such as survival training, wilderness navigation, and campfire devotionals where Scripture is lived out in the wild

Imagine a teenager who’s tuned out in church but fully tuned in at dawn, hearing a devotion after reeling in a fish - and realizing for the first time he was created by a Father who sees him.

We’re not just taking students outside. We’re helping them look up.

This is more than recreation. This is restoration. This is the Gospel, unfiltered.

No Sidelines in Heaven: A Vision for Every Athlete

Too often, young people with special needs are offered the sidelines.

But what if they were the centerpiece? What if they were the spark God uses to ignite revival in families, schools, and churches?

Imagine the joy of a young athlete in a wheelchair hearing his name announced as he enters the game - and the Gospel being shared afterward with his family.

All-Abilities ministry is not a charity program. It’s a Kingdom initiative.

We’re developing:

Adaptive leagues where every athlete gets to play, compete, and belong
Unified events where athletes of all abilities play side-by-side, worship side-by-side, and lead side-by-side
Volunteer training to equip the church to see, value, and serve every image-bearer

This is not a feel-good add-on. It’s a front-row seat to what happens when no one is left out of God's story.

One Church, Many Courts: Building a Gospel Network Through Sports

We’ve said it before - the gyms are already built. Churches own the spaces. The question is: what will we do with them?

Right now, churches across our region are running leagues and camps. But most are doing it in isolation. We believe the next wave of sports ministry doesn’t come from building more - it comes from connecting more.

Imagine 20 churches across 3 cities and 8 counties using the same playbook, speaking the same language, training their coaches in discipleship, and reaching families together through neighborhood-based leagues.

That’s the Church Sports Network.

A growing collaboration of churches, equipped by FCA, united to reach their community through sports
A simple plug-and-play model that gives any church the tools and training to start or strengthen a Gospel-centered sports ministry
A unified banner to remind us that we’re better together when Jesus is our coach, captain, and commission

This isn’t about FCA. It’s about the Church being the Church - in sneakers and jerseys.

Altars with Scoreboards: A Dream for Kingdom Complexes

Close your eyes and imagine this:

A young girl shows up to a brand-new sports complex in her community to play in a basketball league. By halftime, she’s heard a devotion from a former college athlete. After the game, her mom gets invited to a moms’ prayer group. Her coach prays with her. A local church sponsors her team. And before the season ends, she accepts Christ and starts bringing her friends.

Now multiply that by thousands.

That’s the vision behind the FCA Sports Complexes - one in each of our four major regions.

Places where leagues are run with integrity, and discipleship happens daily
Facilities where we can host camps, equip volunteers, train staff, and serve families year-round
Buildings that outlive trends and programs, because they are rooted in a mission bigger than any one person or season

These aren’t just buildings. These are altars. These are Gospel-greenhouses.

And we believe they will become hubs of hope, revival, and transformation in our region for generations to come.

Across the Street and Across the World: Our Global Vision

Revival doesn’t stop at county lines - or national borders.

As part of Battlefield FCA’s growing vision, we are stepping boldly into international ministry, specifically through a strategic partnership with Southeast Asia FCA.

Imagine students from Virginia traveling across the globe to serve, disciple, and grow. Imagine Southeast Asian leaders coming to our communities - sharing stories, deepening faith, and strengthening the Body of Christ on both sides of the ocean.

We envision:

Ongoing mission trips to Southeast Asia that raise leaders and deepen perspective
Cross-cultural partnerships that shape our students into global disciple-makers
Opportunities to host international FCA staff and athletes, igniting hearts here at home

This isn’t just outreach. It’s Kingdom family - reaching the world together, shoulder to shoulder.

THE INVITATION

We’re not waiting anymore. We’re moving.

We have the mission: to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

We have the vision: to see it lived out on every field, every trail, every team, every church gym, every league.

But we don’t have it all. Not yet.

We need:

Churches bold enough to say yes
Donors willing to plant seeds in eternal soil
Volunteers who will go to the sidelines, the camps, the weight rooms, the woods
Families who believe Jesus changes everything - and want their kids to know it
Leaders called to join our staff team—driven to disciple, build, and reach through the power of sports

This isn’t a program. It’s a movement. This isn’t a fundraiser. It’s a harvest. This isn’t someone else’s calling. It’s ours. It’s yours.

Every Team. Every School. Every Environment. Every Soul.

Let’s build it.

Here’s how you can jump in:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

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Facing My Fear: The Courage to Be Authentic

By Scot Small • June 20, 2025

Here’s something I wish someone told me sooner: Fear doesn’t disappear just because you believe in Jesus. Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is stop pretending you're fine. I spent years managing an image. I wanted to be seen as the guy who had it all together - in business, in ministry, in family. But under the surface? I was often exhausted, insecure, and wondering if I was enough. The turning point wasn’t dramatic. It was me, in a quiet moment, realizing I was tired of performing and polishing. I just wanted to be honest. The moment I let myself say things like: "I don't know." "I'm struggling." "I need help." Something broke loose. Authenticity is scary, but it's where freedom starts. You can’t lead people while hiding from them. You can’t grow if you're protecting your mask. You can’t disciple others if you're afraid to go first. Jesus didn’t fake it. He wept. He got tired. He prayed with agony. And He showed us the way. If you feel afraid to be real - you’re not weak. You’re right on the edge of breakthrough. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Cor. 4:7) Courage isn’t loud. Sometimes it sounds like a whisper: "Here I am. All of me."

Leadership Jesus-Style: Serve First, Lead Second

By Scot Small • June 19, 2025

Leadership isn't about getting to the top. It's about kneeling to serve where no one else wants to. One of the greatest leadership lessons I ever learned didn’t come from a business book. It came from a towel. Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, did something none of His disciples saw coming: He grabbed a towel and washed their feet. In a moment when He could have pulled rank... When He had every right to demand loyalty... When fear and pressure were thick in the air... He knelt. That kind of leadership wrecked me in the best way. Because for years, I thought leadership meant drive, direction, big vision, clear plans. And those matter. But Jesus redefined it: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) If you're leading anything - a ministry, a team, a staff, a business - ask yourself this: Am I serving first? Or am I leading to be seen? I’ve seen leaders chase influence and burn out. I’ve also seen the ones who wash feet. They last. They multiply. They raise up leaders who serve, not shine. The older I get, the more I realize: Real leadership looks like sweat, listening, showing up when it’s inconvenient, and letting someone else go first. That's the kind of leadership that changes people. It changed me. Here’s how you can serve first: · Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation. · Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives. · Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

Fishing & Focus: Why Battlefield FCA’s Vision Demands Intentionality

By Scot Small • June 18, 2025

🎣 Ever get caught drifting without realizing it? It happens fast — in fishing and in leadership. Here's why Battlefield FCA is paddling with intentionality every single day...

Beyond Capacity: Rethinking Limits in Light of Christ

By Scot Small • June 17, 2025

I've been hearing a phrase a lot lately: "I'm at capacity." And I get it. Life is full. Between work, family, ministry, sports, and just trying to keep your head above water, there are days when it feels like you're stretched to the limit. But here’s what’s been stirring in me: I don’t think this phrase is helping us. Especially not in ministry. Especially not in something like FCA, where we’re called to give our lives to the mission of reaching every coach and athlete with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When did we start believing that our capacity is the ceiling of our calling? Sure, we are human. We have limits. We need sleep. We need rest. Jesus Himself modeled that. But if we stop there, we’re missing something huge. Scripture never calls us to stay within the bounds of our comfort or capacity. It calls us to surrender. To sacrifice. To pour it all out for the sake of Christ. Let me be clear - this isn’t a guilt trip. And it’s not coming from someone who’s figured it out. I wrestle with this too. I’ve said, “I’m at capacity.” I’ve pulled back when I felt stretched. I’ve chosen convenience over calling more times than I’d like to admit. But what the Lord keeps showing me is that my threshold isn't the measure - His presence is . Christ Is Our Capacity Paul gives us a powerful example in Colossians 1:29: “I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” Paul’s calling was enormous: spreading the Gospel, planting churches, suffering deeply along the way. But he didn’t lean on his own ability. He pressed forward not because he had the energy, but because Christ's strength was powerfully working within him. This is not about ignoring healthy rhythms of rest - it’s about where we turn when we're called beyond what we think we can handle. The call to serve and lead in ministry - whether it's leading a Huddle, coaching a team, hosting a Bible study, or just showing up to love people consistently - isn't supposed to be convenient. It's supposed to be Spirit - empowered. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). So, when we say, "I'm at capacity," maybe what we really mean is, "I'm at the end of my strength." And that might be the best place to begin. Because if Christ is our capacity, then the better question is: What is He asking me to do, and will I trust Him to carry me through it? The Danger of a "Capacity" Mindset Let’s be honest - it’s easy to start measuring our obedience based on margin. And that might sound responsible, even mature. But over time, it can subtly shift from wisdom to avoidance. The disciples could have said the same thing when Jesus asked them to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. But He wasn’t asking them to operate from their capacity. He was asking them to offer what they had and trust Him to multiply it. Boundaries are wise. But boundaries should serve obedience , not replace it. There’s a difference between being Spirit-led and being schedule - driven. If we let “capacity” become our filter, we’ll say no to things God is inviting us into. And when that happens, the body of Christ misses out on what God might do through us. Jesus never promised ministry would be manageable. He promised it would be fruitful (John 15:8). And the fruit comes through abiding, not retreating. So What Are We Called To? Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices - holy and pleasing to God . That’s not symbolic. That’s daily. Sacrificial. Real. Luke 9:23 echoes the same when Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” And Paul, near the end of his life, says in 2 Timothy 4:6, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering.” That’s a life lived beyond comfort, beyond convenience - beyond capacity . This is the kind of life Jesus invites us into. It’s the kind of life the FCA mission invites us into. It’s not about having extra margin - it’s about having a mindset of surrender. It’s about ordinary people trusting an extraordinary God to do something eternal through their yes. A Personal Window I can’t speak about this as someone who has figured it out. I’m very much in it. Just recently, I found myself overwhelmed with the weight of trying to shepherd eight prospective FCA staff members - each with their own story, their own needs, and their own journey. I wanted to invest in them, care for them, and help launch them into ministry in the right way. Meanwhile, I was still responsible for leading our current team, stewarding the vision, and raising significant funds for the Battlefield FCA area. We were preparing for the Victory Dinner - a crucial night for our staff’s support and our ministry’s momentum - and every detail felt urgent. And yet, I still felt convicted to guard my early morning hours with the Lord: three to four hours each day in prayer, Scripture, and simply being present with Christ. It wasn’t the efficient choice. It didn’t look productive on paper. But it was the only thing that grounded me. All while walking through the heartache of seeing two of my daughter’s drift spiritually, praying and hoping for their return. All while learning how to better love and serve my wife - 34 years into marriage and still growing. All while stepping into a new role of helping care for my father as he battles dementia, walking alongside my mother and sisters to honor him with dignity and love. Did I feel "at capacity"? Absolutely. But what the Lord keeps teaching me is this: my strength was never meant to be the fuel. My capacity is not the determining factor - His presence is. His grace doesn’t always lighten the load. Sometimes, it simply lifts the heart. Colossians 1:29 continues to echo in my heart: "I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me." That kind of striving isn’t a frantic hustle - it’s a Spirit - empowered effort that goes beyond what human strength can sustain. And I’ve been reflecting deeply on 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - 5, where Paul commends the believers for their "work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." That phrase has stayed with me: endurance inspired by hope. Our strength isn’t rooted in our own performance - but in being chosen by God and empowered through the Holy Spirit. That’s the only way I’m still standing. These verses don’t erase the hard - but they anchor me in the truth that my capacity is not about me. A Better Way Forward Before you move on, consider asking yourself a couple of hard but holy questions: Am I making decisions based on personal comfort - or on Christ's call? Where have I allowed emotional exhaustion to masquerade as spiritual surrender? Is there a place where "I’m at capacity" became an excuse, and God is still inviting me to trust Him deeper? This isn’t a call to run harder. It’s a call to live deeper. It’s about being led by the Spirit, not boxed in by fear. It’s about trusting that the God who called you will also sustain you. Maybe it’s time we stop asking, "How much can I handle?" and start asking, "What is Christ calling me to do?" Because if Jesus is calling you to it, He’ll give you the grace and strength to do it. So go ahead. Say yes. Show up. Serve. Lead. Not because you have the margin, but because you have the Messiah. Your capacity isn’t the limit. Christ is the source. Here’s how you can jump in: · Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation. · Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives. · Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.