When Drew Beard, the current State Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Oklahoma, first got involved in FCA, he was only in the seventh grade.
“I got involved in FCA as a 7th grader, thanks to Coach Mike Fitts. He pulled me aside one day and said, “Drew, you have influence.” He encouraged me to attend FCA on Wednesday nights after church. That’s when I first encountered older athletes—people I looked up to—boldly sharing their faith. It made a lasting impact on me,” said Beard.
Growing and supporting chapters is just one mission of the FCA program. Beard said the FCA in Oklahoma continues to grow and reach new heights.
“The groundwork laid by faithful leaders across Oklahoma—rural and metro, university and high school—has positioned us for tremendous growth. Today, we’re seeing more student-led huddles, more open hearts, and more athletes stepping up to publicly live out their faith. We believe we’re continuing to build on a strong foundation that has been set for years,” said Beard.
Finding enjoyment in FCA and its mission is easy for Beard.
“Sport has the power to shape lives. It was meant to bring joy, creativity, unity, and growth. But for many families and individuals, it’s become a source of stress, pressure, and pain. FCA steps into that space with a redemptive message. We remind people what sport can and should be. Whether it’s the celebration or the struggle, FCA meets coaches and athletes right where they are—offering purpose, hope, and a path forward,” said Beard.
To accomplish everything FCA sets out to achieve, it takes Beard and a small army of people to make it happen.
“Our Oklahoma FCA Team is made up of some of the most intentional and selfless leaders I know. They serve daily to engage, equip, and empower coaches and athletes across the state. We also have nearly 900 monthly supporters—our “Home Team”—comprised of individuals, churches, and businesses who invest in this mission financially. Our goal is to grow that number to over 1,000 partners in 2025,” Beard said. “Additionally, we rely on a vast network of volunteer coaches, teachers, parents, and church leaders who lead over 460 huddles statewide. These are the unsung heroes—the ones faithfully carrying the vision of FCA into locker rooms, classrooms, and communities.
Anyone looking to start an FCA chapter at their school should have a heart to serve the community.
“It begins with a heart to serve. FCA supports anyone who wants to start a huddle by walking them through a Ministry Leader Application (MLA). This ensures we’re aligned in mission, vision, values, and faith. Once the MLA is submitted, our staff connects personally to equip and encourage the new leader. Most volunteers are already connected to a school or team, and we help them step in confidently—with resources, training, and prayer,” said Beard.
For more information and to learn more about FCA please visit;
- thefour.fca.org: a tool to help you share your faith.
- thecore.fca.org: for new believers who want to build a strong foundation.
- fca.org/e3: our discipleship pathway designed to equip followers of Christ to disciple others.
