© 2009 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL

A Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) program
at the Newport Kiwanis Club recently announced the upcoming
celebration and fundraising banquet on Nov. 12 in Morristown.
From left are CCHS FCA co-sponsor Matt Morris and Kiwanian
Rob Mathis; Lakeway FCA executive Scott Galyon; and Kiwanis Club
President Rodney Buckner. Galyon, a former UT Vol star, played
pro football for the Dolphins and Giants.

Former NFL player Scott Galyon, of Morristown, spoke to the Newport Kiwanis Club, inviting members to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet on November 12.

The national Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) reaches more than 1.3 million high school and college athletes and coaches. It is the largest sports ministry in the world, said Galyon.

Kiwanian Rob Mathis and Matt Morris of Cocke County High School are co-sponsors of the local FCA program and encourage attendance at the Nov. 12 event at First Baptist Church of Morristown. Featured speaker will be Fisher DeBerry, Hall of Fame football coach of the Air Force Academy.

Galyon said that FCA wants to lead athletes in the right direction, and, more than that, "We want to pull in the whole student body."

The local TeamFCA program reaches the Lakeway area, including Cocke, Hamblen, Jefferson, Claiborne, and Grainger counties.

Activities at schools include "huddles," usually before school to share devotions, testimonies, and to challenge students to make a difference. "Be real about your faith," he said.

Not only does the Lakeway FCA reach thousands of youth each week, it hands out hundreds of Bibles. Recently, Jefferson Co, citizens raised funds to buy 70 Bibles for the football team.

"The one way to play" philosophy helps athletes fight drugs and alcohol throughout the school year, said Galyon. The main goal of FCA is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as an evangelistic organization.

Mathis helped kick off the CCHS FCA this year, and Galyon said of the Newport program, "They are really blowing it out." Among the team leaders is quarterback Casey Ragan. Currently, the athletes are raising funds to help honor the Sullivan County player who died during a football game.

"We also sponsor Christmas families" to provide gifts for the needy, said Mathis. He said that anyone wishing to attend the FCA banquet can contact Galyon at 865-712-6619 or e-mail him at sgalyon@fca.org for more information.