2021 Night of Champions in Cheyenne was an incredible time to encourage and challenge Community to be Champions in Christ.
Hello! Welcome to our FCA WY Blog.
We hope that the stories and updates here give insight into what God is doing in our square state. We want to engage, equip, and empower our WY athletes and coaches, along with connecting our amazing FCA community of volunteers and supporters.
That’s why…
We would like to share with you in this post about our 2021 Night of Champions in Cheyenne, Wyoming this October:
Highlights of the Night
Golden Opportunity for the Gospel
Celebrating our Champions
Feel free to keep reading!
Highlights of the Night
This October, Our Night of Champions in Cheyenne took place at Cheyenne Hills Church Auditorium.
After a year of virtual ministry and cancelled events in 2020, seats filled with close to 150 attendees (close to 200 reached online and over 50 live views) was an amazing experience.
It really hit home that our FCA Team - volunteers, student athlete leaders, staff, and other leaders - play such an important role in serving the Body of Christ. And not just in Laramie County but around the State in our Sport Ministry.
We heard from Keira Walsh, East volleyball huddle leader; Cole Manlove, Burns XCountry/track coach and our Staff Kevin Cates on the impact of FCA in Laramie County.
FCA Wyoming was also honored to have 3 Time Gold Medalist Leah O'Brien-Amico join us for the public program.
With her Olympic experience, sports and coaching background, and love for Jesus - O'Brien-Amico shared an inspiring message and challenged athletes in the room to become Champions in Christ.
In fact, several in attendance heard the Gospel Message and asked to make a commitment to Christ.
After the program, O'Brien-Amico took photos with attendees, giving them an opportunity to even wear her gold medals. The look on their faces said it all. It truly was an once in a lifetime experience for most of us!
"We all got to 'feel like a champion’ by having our picture taken with Leah and wear a real gold medal – the closest I’ll ever come to a gold medal!" said Kevin Cates, the host and the Area Rep for FCA Cheyenne and Laramie County, when asked about the event.
We would like to thank the Cheyenne Ministry Team, our Director Karsten Sween, Volunteers, Student Leaders, Wyoming Staff, Staff Kevin Cates and the Cheyenne Hills Church Tech Team for bringing this event together for our Sports and Faith Community.
"The night was an incredible success, as God showed up in a powerful way, and community members were encouraged to be champions for the Kingdom!" said Cates.
Here is more about the Night of Champs...
Keynote Speaker: LEAH O’BRIEN-AMICO
USA SOFTBALL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST 1996, 2000, 2004
- Keynote Speaker
- ESPN Analyst for College Softball *2007-current
- Westwood Radio Analyst for Finals at the Women’s College World Series *2012-current
- Author: Softball, Glory & God’s Story
- Softball Clinician
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist (USA Softball: 1996, 2000, 2004)
- 2-Time World Champion (1998, 2002)
- 2-Time Pan-American Games Champion (1999, 2003)
- 3-Time NCAA National Champion (University of Arizona; 1993, 1994, 1997)
- National Softball Hall of Fame Honoree in 2009
- University of Arizona Hall of Fame Honoree in 2002
FEATURED IN
- Magazines: Brio (Cover), Sports Spectrum, Victory, Cover of Sports Illustrated with 2004 Olympic Gold Medal Softball Team
- Back of Golden Crispix Cereal Box (2000)
Golden Opportunity for the Gospel
We are so thankful for Leah's message to those in person and livestreaming around the State. Check out what she had to say about her second Medal and challenging time:
"God wants to use you. I think a lot of people are going through hard times right now and I am tell you that many times we love talking about the gold medals, but honestly I appreciate this medal the most because we got the most beat up.
But when we one this medal a couple days later and came back to beat each team that beat us in that first round, we beat China. We beat Australia. Then, we Japan was undefeated. And we ended up beating them to win the gold medal. This Gold Medal I appreciate all of them. The one that took me through the hardest times.
I think we learned the most. We grow the most during those times."
Leah continued in her message to share the Gospel and invite attendees to commit to Christ! Thank you, Leah!
Celebrating our Champions
Laramie County recently celebrated God’s work and the contributions of its Home Team with a dinner and public event October 10 at Cheyenne Hills Church.
A catered dinner was held to show appreciation for the important contributions our donors make to the ministry. Huddle coaches were also recognized for the selfless gift of their time and efforts to minister to student athletes at their respective schools.
State Director Karsten Sween and Area Rep Kevin Cates presented a ministry update, while Cheyenne Central Wrestling Coach Kyle Brightman shared the impact FCA has had on his life, and the hope of expanding the ministry to reach more student athletes.
Thank you, Coach!
Thank you for reading.
Blessings,
FCA WY