The first SE Michigan FCA Vision Dinner is a huge success!
Over 300 gathered together to celebrate what the Lord has done in SE Michigan through FCA.
At 6:30pm on Friday, May 8th, the doors opened to our very first Vision Dinner for SE Michigan FCA. This event required 22 weeks of work as our Vision Dinner team was guided by the organization Fundraising Masterminds. A huge thank you to the members of our team: Audra Brockway, Vision Dinner Coordinator, Tom Gordy, Table Host Coordinator, May Boudreaux, Director of Volunteer Efforts, Bryan Masi, Registration Coordinator, and Rachel Everett, Marketing. Each played a major role in the planning, organization, and execution of our first Vision Dinner in SE Michigan. We are so grateful for you.
We are also grateful for the 37 table hosts that invited our attendees. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasures so that more coaches and athletes can be impacted in our area. It was so encouraging to see 322 members of the body of Christ come together with intentionality. The Holy Spirit was in the room as we activated our gifts and became unified toward one goal. To lead every coach and athlete in SE Michigan into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church!
We were blessed to have Pastor Steve Barkey of Orchard Ridge Church in Romeo open and close our evening in prayer. His church has become a FCA partner in the Romeo Community. They have not just provided financially, but with volunteers as well. He was intentional and thoughtful as he invited the Holy Spirit to guide and lead our event.
Our first testimony of the evening was delivered by Pat Threet, Football Coach at St. Clair Shores Lakeview. Pat shared passionately how FCA has impacted his team and his family. His story of how his son David has been to impact teammates was inspiring.
Our third testimony was delivered by Maria Bartolone Varner, board member of Metro Detroit FCA for the last seven years. She spoke from the experience of being a Home Team member, a part time administrative assistant, as well as an empowered volunteer. She values the relationships with staff and other board members. They are like a family to her.
To close out our program we asked two high school athletes if they would honor us with a sharing of the Gospel using The Four as their guide. FCA uses The Four to help provide coaches and athletes a simple and repeatable way to share the Gospel with others. Bryson Park and Skylar Paduch of Romeo High are both sophomores and are multisport athletes. They were articulate and passionate about sharing the Good News of why Jesus came to rescue us!
Thank you to our Emcee Kurt David whose professionalism and humor kept our evening flowing in a smooth and effective pace. Kurt is former professional basketball player who now helps individuals and businesses deal with change. He has also mentored our current FCA staff in Michigan in their leadership. He added so much value to our event!
Our current Board Chair, Dave VanEpps delivered a power personal story of Jeff and his FCA bible that helped set the tone for the giving opportunities that were to come later in the evening. He has been the chair for the last 7 years. His leadership and guidance are second to none. His attention to detail was amazing to watch!
Our second testimony was delivered by Sam Broome, athlete from Milford Lakeland High School. FCA has showed him that having a relationship with Jesus isn't private. He now is living his life with the intention to spread the Word of God.
We were honored to have Pastor Steve Andrews, co-founder of Kensington Churches. Steve has had a front row seat to seeing the ministry of FCA grow in SE Michigan. He has provided encouragement and guidance to current Director Tim Morton, over the last 6 years. He delivered a powerful message that included the urgency to minister to coaches. "Who is going to guide these coaches who have so much influence?" It was amazing to hear how much FCA has had influence in his own life and others he has known.
To date, there has been nearly $135,000 committed to help three of our goals to become a reality:
- To develop and resource 25 new campus ministries by the fall of 2027.
- To plan, organize and implement 5 new camps in the 2027 ministry year.
- To recruit, hire, train, and develop our first Area Director by the 2027 ministry year.
There are still a few financial commitments left to come in. We could not have done this without everyone involved and the help of the Lord! Fundraising Masterminds has awarded SE Michigan FCA a Bronze award for raising over $100,000 in our first Vision Dinner. This qualifies us for the Winner's Circle. This is an extension of the current program that helps organizations build momentum from their first dinner. We are excited about this opportunity!
It was also very clear that we will need a new location as the Twin Lakes facility will not be large enough. Can you imagine 500 attendees for next year? If we choose to move forward with the Winner's Circle program, we will start on July 1st. What we are most excited about are the new relationships that have been started and the current relationships that have been strengthened. The best is yet to come!
Metro Detroit FCA Blog
