What
Summer 2012 will be our 3rd annual mission trip to the Ukraine. We will take a team of a team of Christian wrestlers to train, compete, and share the Gospel with coaches and wrestlers from that part of the world. We are looking for serious and competitive wrestlers who are committed Christians. They must be young men, between the ages of 16 -20, who would like the opportunity to wrestle against some of the toughest wrestlers in the world, and to learn how to share their faith. A number of the wrestlers that we will be training with and competing against are actually from Muslim backgrounds, so this mission trip is going to be a tremendous challenge and awesome faith-building experience.
When
The FCA wrestling team will report to FCA wrestling camp on Wednesday, June 13th, for 3 1/2 days of training. The team will depart from the Atlanta airport on Sunday, June 17th, and return to Atlanta on July 1st. (Itinerary details still to be finalized).
Mission Target Audience
Coaches, wrestlers and fans from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Ossetia, Poland, Kalmekia, and Czechen Republic.
Contact
Bill Gifford – Director of FCA Wrestling in Atlanta / Georgia
Cell: (770) 364-2527
Email: bgifford@fca.org
Partnership Ministry
FCA Wrestling & Athletes-in-Action International Wrestling Ministry
Ministry Plan
The FCA Wrestling Team will work at the FCA Team Wrestling Camp from June 13th - 16th, and train as a team during that time. We will also utilize that week to have the “FCA Wrestling Team” go through specific training in evangelism, ministry, and cross-cultural training. After the camp, we will leave on June 17th for Kiev. Once in the Ukraine, we are joinging forces with Coach Steve Barrett (former NCAA Champion and one of the world’s greatest wrestlers in his prime) of the Athletes-in-Action. Coach Barrett has arranged our travel, food, lodging, and competition. In the second week of the trip, we will go to an AIA / FCA Wrestling Camp, where we will train with, and compete against, wrestlers from Eastern Europe and the Ukraine. These wrestlers are from the toughest area for wrestling in the world, and the competition will be fierce. There will be a number of opportunities for our FCA Wrestlers to share their testimonies and the Gospel during the camp, and during the tournament in which we compete.
Our role will be to compete, learn, and minister to the wrestlers and coaches who are participating with us at the FCA / AIA camp and tournament in the Ukraine, by encouraging and equipping them to know and serve Christ. We will also be working with our FCA staff person in the Ukraine in the follow-up of those who come to Christ, and plug them into the FCA ministry. FCA Wrestling will be working to fulfill the FCA vision statement as we impact the world for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.
Coaches
The FCA Team will be under the direction of Bill Gifford (Dir. of FCA Wrestling in GA; former 3x qualifier for the USA Team Training Camp in Freestyle and Greco), and coached by John Peterson (Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist, World Cup Champion, USA Hall of Fame); and Steve Barrett (former NCAA Champion for Oklahoma State, 1980 Olympic Team, and competed for USA Team in a number of international competitions, missionary in Russia for over 20 yrs, Chaplain of Russia’s national team), and Coach Geoff Whitaker of Eagles Landing Christian School. We will also have some of Eastern Europe’s finest wrestling coaches at the camp.
Camp/Mission Opportunities
International FCA Vision Statement: To fulfill the FCA vision by serving coaches and athletes internationally through:
Resourcing the AIA Wrestling Camp in the Ukraine
Ministering to wrestlers and coaches from Eastern Europe and the Ukraine
Competing at the AIA Wrestling Camp in the Ukraine
Staffing and Assisting at the AIA Wrestling Camp in the Ukraine
Community
Adult volunteers who join us will have a faith-building experience. You will get to help us teach, coach, and lead Bible study groups at the AIA Wrestling Camp and the tournament in the Ukraine. Come with us, enjoy the competition, and learn how to share your Christian faith with some young people who may have never heard the Gospel in their lives. We have two spots left on the team.
Cost of this Mission Trip
The total cost of the 2012 FCA Wrestling Mission to the Ukraine is approximately $3400.00. This includes round trip airfare, food, lodging, camp fees, a team uniform, and competition fees. Bring any extra spending money for souvenoirs and snacks.
Details of this Mission Trip Itinerary
March 30th – Deadline for application & non-refundable deposit ($300.00)
April 30th – Deadline for passports acquired (cost is on your own for this)
May 30th – All remaining funds and key documents (including USA Wrestling card) due
June 13th – Report to FCA Team Wrestling Camp at University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA.
June 17th – Depart for Kiev, Ukraine as a team
July 1st – Return to Atlanta International Airport
Come join us in impacting the wrestling world for Jesus Christ!
Download Application Here!