Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.

Greetings, you are receiving this email/text/link because your child attended the Shelbyville Middle School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle this past Friday.  This email is simply to introduce to you some info about SMS FCA.  I've highlighted the 'crib notes' notes for you, allowing you to get vital information.

First, my name is Warren Robison.  I've been a youth pastor for the past 20+ years and have worked in the secular and non-profit world in Shelbyville for the past 40 years.  I married my middle school sweetheart way back in 1989.  Kelli and I have three boys and two grandchildren and reside in the Clearview Addition.

The SMS FCA was started in 2010 by Tim Drake.  I started volunteering at SMS FCA when I was the Youth Pastor of Crossroad Community Church in 2013.  Tim was called to Waldron to coach the Waldron Jr. High girl's basketball team and help at the Waldron FCA in 2019.  Not wanting the SMS FCA to die out, I applied to be the SMS FCA coach that same year.

So what is SMF FCA?  It is run a bit differently than most FCAs in central Indiana.  We have two weekly meetings:

1. Friday morning Huddle (held in the cafetorium and main gym), and
2. Monday evening bible study held at Echo Effect Arts Campus at 102 E Washington Street.

The Huddle is our largest group with our weekly attendance currently averaging around 64 students.  Doors open at 7 AM, and we will serve donuts at 7:09.  After consuming around 120 donuts we will do a couple of games and then a lesson.

The Bible Study is a much smaller group by design.  Currently, we are averaging 11 students.  I use this time to help develop leadership skills using Deep Discipleship material from LeaderTreks Youth Ministry.  We are very intentional at this time, and any disruptive behavior will result in a time-out being called (the student will be asked not to attend for two weeks). 

Currently, the SMS FCA bible study is held every Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at The Echo Effect Campus, 102 E. Washington Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176 (across from the Post Office).

Dinner and fellowship at 6:30 PM, game at 6:50 with the bible study from 7-8:00 PM.

For the complete second-semester bible schedule, please CLICK HERE.

Please RSVP so we can plan for food here:
tinyurl.com/SMSFCABS

We are asking students to help provide food, drinks, and dessert. If you can help, please sign up using the link here:  SignUpGenius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948ADA628A5FDC07-food

We do have several Special Events throughout the year, including:

1.  Prayer walk in the Shelbyville area
2. Participate in the Shelbyville Homecoming Parade
3. See you at the Pole at SMS (Held on the last Wednesday of September)
4. Christmas Shopping events for Operation Christmas Child and Angel Tree

This past summer, the SMS FCA kicked off its Student Leader Program. The SMS FCA Student Leadership is a program where we equip and empower students and athletes to be leaders in their communities. A Student Leader lives out and speaks the truth about Christ.  If your child is interested in becoming an SMS FCA Student leader, they will need to fill out a Student Leader Application and submit three letters of recommendation from a trusted adult (teachers, pastors, etc).  

The SMS FCA will consume over 5,300 donuts, 3,100 plates, and 185 gallons of milk and juice yearly just for the Huddle and Bible Study.  That computes to just over $7,000.00 a year.  

Add in the special events noted above, Operation Christmas Child gifts, Angel Tree Gifts, leadership training and events, 30 bibles that we give away each year, 200 team devotional books, and admin costs (attendance software, text notifications, etc.) our yearly budget is just over $10,500.00.  Last year our yearly budget was just under $6,000.00.  Why the increase?  Our average weekly attendance has more than doubled this year.  Also, we kicked off our team devotionals this year, and we estimate that we will need to purchase 300 FCA devotional books.  

Click HERE for information on how to donate.

Where can I find additional information?  Another great question.  

Please follow us on Facebook, and Instagram 

Our website, www.smsfca.org for announcements and special information.