The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), an organization dedicated to presenting Jesus to student-athletes across America, led 51,730 students and coaches to Christ in 2023, the Western Journal reports.

The ministry, which is based in Kansas City, Missouri, stated that there has been “an unmistakable move of the Holy Spirit,” in many of the meetings over the past year.

In its annual report, the FCA added that 68,846 students attended 317 of the organization’s Field of Faith events featuring testimonies and worship held at sports fields of different high schools across America.

In addition, nearly 111,000 students and coaches attended FCA camps this past year. The organization was also able to hand out 230,000 Bibles to interested students and coaches.

As part of its ministry, the FCA uses what is called a Faith Response Tool, where it regularly connects with students and coaches via texts with Bible verses, messages, and testimonies.

Over the past couple of years, we have seen Christian coaches being fired for simply praying at games and those in the mainstream media condemning the religious practice.

Yet, despite all the negativity and intimidation of Christians occurring in the world today, it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is moving if believers are willing to step out.

The early church prayed for the power gift when threatened and intimidated

That statement by FCA organizers that the Holy Spirit was showing up at their meetings caught my attention because it reminded me of that unusual prayer of the early believers in Acts 4.

After several of the disciples had just been arrested and threatened by authorities, they had a prayer meeting where they specifically asked the Holy Spirit to provide power gifts and miracles, so they could boldly respond to the intimidation and threats:

²⁹ And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, ³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31 NASV)