The world watched on with horror in February of 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, displacing millions of Ukrainians from their homes. As the war in Ukraine continues, hundreds of coaches and athletes are left without the proper resources to stay engaged in their sport, job and ministry. As the coaches and athletes continue to face challenges and shortages, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA,www.fca.org) is partnering with Convoy of Hope to send a full shipping container (40 pallets) of sports equipment and supplies to Ukraine. The total value of the materials is over $1 million.
“Coaches have needs too,” said Sasha Aleksandrov, FCA Ukraine Director. “Because of the war, sports equipment has been destroyed or abandoned. We’ve made a list of needs people can choose to supply and help rebuild sports ministry through the country.”
The initiative saw hundreds of FCA staff, volunteers, and donors come together from across the country to donate pieces of new and used equipment to be sent to Ukraine. This will be FCA’s first ever supply shipment, and the hope is this project will serve as a catalyst to send many more shipping containers in the future to the unending needs around the world. Convoy of Hope has sent over 100 containers of supplies for Ukraine to Romania and Poland since the beginning of the war. This provides FCA a strategic partnership needed to mobilize sports equipment to those in need in Ukraine.
“It is beautiful to see this dream come true through our FCA Family,” said Andriy Kravtsov, FCA Divisional VP North Global. “My heart is full of joy because I see the goodness of God through faithful and generous people.
“All this equipment will be a blessing to many coaches and athletes and will bring the hope of Jesus,” Kravtsov added.
Prior to the Russian invasion, 14 FCA staff members were in the United States for the FCA worldwide staff conference in Texas. The FCA leadership team in Kansas City, where FCA’s National Support Center is located, was able to help 16 family members flee Ukraine and come to America to unite with their FCA Ukraine family members. As a result, these 30 people are now safe as war rages on in Ukraine.
For more information about FCA’s shipment to Ukraine, click here.
FCA’s theme for 2023 is Greater, based on John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” FCA reminds Christian coaches and athletes that their identity and value is in Christ rather than their sport.
Read more about Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam, its Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thefcateam/ or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.