Fellowship of Christian Athletes Download PDF

Staff & Board Reference

The POD Ministry Strategy

A POD is a geographically defined cluster of three schools within a MIAA league or district. Each POD is served by a volunteer team with a concrete, named mission field — so every campus, coach, and athlete is reached.

Every POD. Every Campus. Every Coach. Every Athlete. Engaged. Equipped. Empowered.

Philosophy

JOINING A SPORTS MINISTRY TEAM

FCA Area Representatives are not employees looking for occasional help — they’re missionaries called by God to think like an offensive coordinator guiding a team of volunteers and staff who are burdened for the youth, love Jesus, and want God to use their gifts and talents for the sake of the gospel among athletes and coaches within in strategically localized ministry PODs.

“THE RACE IS FOR THE HEARTS OF OUR YOUTH. WHOEVER GETS THERE FIRST WINS!” ~ CAZ MCCASLIN | FCA EXECUTIVE VP OF FACILITIES

Structure

THE POD MINSITRY DEPTH CHART

Multi-Area Director

Vision · Strategy · Staff leadership

Conference Director

Leads FCA ministry across the conference / league

◄

Conference Board of Directors

Advisory · Supports the Conference Director

Offers counsel, prayer, community connections, and resource development.

Area Representative

Equips volunteers · Oversees PODs

MENTORS AND COACHES IN THE FCA WAY - E3

POD 1

POD COACH

The “QB” of the POD — equips and disciples the Huddle Leaders across all three school campuses
(Could become a paid role)

LEADS THE HUDDLE LEADERS IN THE FCA WAY

3 Schools · Huddle Leaders

SERVE & LEAD THEIR PEERS IN THE FCA WAY

Coaches & Student-Athletes

Huddles · Discipleship · Team ministry

New Disciple-Makers

Multiplication

POD 2

POD COACH

The “QB” of the POD — equips and disciples the Huddle Leaders across all three school campuses
(Could become a paid role)

LEADS THE HUDDLE LEADERS IN THE FCA WAY

3 Schools · Huddle Leaders

SERVE & LEAD THEIR PEERS IN THE FCA WAY

Coaches & Student-Athletes

Huddles · Discipleship · Team ministry

New Disciple-Makers

Multiplication

POD 3

POD COACH

The “QB” of the POD — equips and disciples the Huddle Leaders across all three school campuses
(Could become a paid role)

LEADS THE HUDDLE LEADERS IN THE FCA WAY

3 Schools · Huddle Leaders

SERVE & LEAD THEIR PEERS IN THE FCA WAY

Coaches & Student-Athletes

Huddles · Discipleship · Team ministry

New Disciple-Makers

Multiplication

▲ LATERAL SUPPORT TEAM FOR EACH POD COACH ▲

The Local Church

Supports the POD Huddle Coach

Local churches surround the POD with prayer, people, care, and resources, and give new disciples a church home.

Volunteer POD Support Team

Reports to the Area Representative

Supports the POD Huddle Coach · Does not report to the POD Coach

POD Prayer Captain

Prayer covering

Organizes named, ongoing prayer for every school, coach, and huddle in the POD.

Campus Connector

Opens doors

A parent, teacher, or alum with school relationships who introduces the team to coaches and administrators.

Church Connector

Local church bridge

Coordinates church partnerships for prayer, people, care, and resources.

Event / Support Volunteer

Hospitality & logistics

Meals, events, and logistics that make the ministry rhythm possible.

THE BODY OF CHRIST WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE CHURCH

POD STRUCTURE EXAMPLE

Every MIAA conference and league in the state has been broken down into ministry PODs. Each POD will have its own POD Coach and volunteer support team as outlined in the structure above.

Three schools per POD breaks a large area into localized, serviceable, territories that allow the Body of Christ and local churches to engage in focused missional work while witnessing, measuring, and celebrating the impact.

The FCA staff work alongside the POD volunteers and churches to foster a faith culture within each conference/league through community events like Fields of Faith within each POD, and family events like Night of Champions for the entire conference/league.

Below is an example using the Mid-Wachusett League in Central Massachusetts.

MID-WACHUSETT: 27 SCHOOLS · 9 PODS

~698 teams · ~9,000 athletes · ~1,256 coaches