Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Welcome to 2026!

I hope this prayer letter finds you well and ready to face the new year. This time of year is always exciting for me as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, ring in a new year, and wait for the release of Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) new ministry theme.

The ministry theme provides a common focus for the year and connects individuals and Huddles to the global movement of FCA. For 2026, the theme is PROVEN. 

In John 15:8, Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this:
that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” 

This year, we desire to move from proving our worth to being proven in Him. We don’t need to prove anything. Jesus has proven it all. Throughout 2026, we will dive into four key concepts to learn what it looks like to go from living for approval to living from the love of God:

Four Key Concepts this year:

Connect to Christ and others
Cultivating Christ-like character
What we choose matters
Stay committed

Pray that God would work in the lives of coaches and athletes in our community through this ministry theme. Pray, as we lead them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church, that they would understand that God’s love is not performance-based; it is proven out through His pursuit of us and giving of His Son, Jesus. Pray that Jesus would win in the lives of our coaches and athletes.

Our Focus Word is Trust.

In addition to the new ministry theme, Greater Portland FCA staff were asked to choose one word to focus on for 2026. The word God gave me for this year is TRUST.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

Verse 7 continues with “Do not be wise in your own eyes . . .” I must confess that I have a tendency to be self-reliant, or wise in my own eyes.

“Trust in the LORD with
all your heart.”


There are many things that I would love to see happen for the Kingdom in our community. My tendency is to push forward and go. This past fall, there was one Saturday of watching college football games on TV that I heard God speaking to me. During each of the games I watched that day, I heard the commentators complimenting running backs who hesitated, waiting for the hole to open, reading the blocks, and then planting a foot to go through the hole for a big gain as a result. This is a great analogy for me to trust in the Lord. My tendency is to take the handoff and plow straight ahead into the line for a short gain. Pray that I would continue to take the handoff but hesitate so I can read the blocks. Then, when God opens the hole, pray that I will plant and go as he makes my path straight.  

McMinnville Area Coaches Huddle

In November, I shared with you that we have launched two Coaches Huddles at McMinnville High School and one at Linfield University. 

  • As I mentioned, the two Huddles at the high school are going through the 360 Coach Training, a Biblical approach to coaching the heart, mind and body of their athletes.

  • So far we have had discussions on Purpose, Identity, Values and Character. It has been a blessing to engage with them in our discussions and listen to how they are processing it all. Next up in our discussion is the lesson on Motivation.

We have discussed Identity, Values and Character.

  • In addition, you may have read about “Chomer”, who was highlighted in my Year-End Report. Chomer and I continue to meet but have added his nephew who is the head basketball coach at Willamina High School. Chomer and I will be going through 360 Coach together with him.

  • At Linfield, we have five coaches who are meeting once a month. Each time we are together, they share what God is doing in their lives and discuss their struggles and successes. Again, it is a blessing to be in the room and listen as they grow together.

Pray for the coaches.

  • Continue to pray for all of these coaches that they would know they have been strategically positioned by God to be culture creators in their schools and communities.

    MacFA

  • This fall the leadership team made a decision to move Huddle meetings from lunch on Thursdays to the late start Wednesday mornings. When asked about the benefits, they said that they don’t feel as rushed during the Huddle time. Meeting before school provides them 50 minutes to meet compared to the 35 minutes they had during lunch. They are able to start with a warm-up game, share a devotional and then have small group discussion at a relaxed pace.

Meetings moved from Thursday lunch to
late start Wednesday mornings.

  • The downside has been a decrease in numbers from last year’s average of 35 students to an average of 25 this year. Pray for them as they continue to engage with their teammates and look for ways to lead them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church outside of the FCA Huddle meeting.  

  • First semester finals begin Friday, the 23rd and continue the 26th, 27th and 28th. Pray for students to finish the semester strong and to go into finals prepared and confident. 

Patton Middle School

  • In the November Prayer Letter, I shared with you that Beto and I met with a group of 8th grade football players and their parents during October. We were hoping to launch this Huddle in November, but God didn’t “open the hole” until December.

  • To kick things off, we met with a group of ten 8th graders at Pacific Northwest Tire on December 3rd, 10th and 17th. These students were trained in FCA’s E3 Discipleship Strategy (Engage, Equip, and Empower). In addition, we had a small group of parents lend a supporting hand, including three 8th grade football coaches. 

  • During December we also worked on completing the process to request use of one of the gyms on late start Wednesdays to meet on campus. 

Pray for the 8th graders who are launching the huddle.

  • Following Christmas vacation, we had our first Patton FCA Huddle in B gym on January 3rd from 7:45-8:45AM. Taking a look at Ephesians 1:3-14, we discussed the blessings that we have “in Christ”.

  • Please pray for the group of 8th graders who are helping launch this Huddle as they desire to become disciples who make disciples on their campus. These athletes include Jamison, Isaac, Roman, Adalyn, Tanner, Henry, Aizlyn, Ella, Marshall and Emmit. 

As always, I am thankful for your prayer support and encouragement.

Trusting in the Lord,
Mig

JMiglioretto@fca.org