PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FCA Area Director Rex Stump interviewed several local area students and staff, including (left to right) Archbold huddle leader Joe Frank, Defiance College student Tevin Lewis-Johnson, FCA Area Representative Kirsten Vanisacker, Napoleon student Isaac Meyer and Pettisville student Caroline Sterken.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Buckeye Border chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) hosted its 2026 Champions Celebration on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
The celebration brought together local athletes, coaches and community members for an evening of worship and reflection.
Founded in 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an international nonprofit ministry that works to reach athletes and coaches at all levels.
Its mission is to lead coaches and athletes into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church, using sports as a platform to build character, leadership and service.
At a local level, FCA’s work is carried out through “huddles,” or small group gatherings often held within schools or teams.
These groups create space for students to connect, share experiences, and grow in both faith and leadership.
The theme of the evening was FCA’s 2026 focus: “Be bold with your faith.” The message encouraged students to live out their beliefs with confidence, both in competition and everyday life.
That message came to life through the evening’s interview portion, where local students and leaders shared what it means to be bold in their faith.
Students Bella Griffith (Evergreen), Caroline Sterken (Pettisville), Isaac Meyer (Napoleon), Josey Arnold (Bryan), Tevin Lewis-Johnson (Defiance College), Tucker Sprow (Ayersville) and Will Donovan (Stryker) joined the interview panel to offer personal insight on leadership and perseverance.
Huddle leaders Brenda Woody and Joe Frank and FCA Area Representative Kirsten Vanisacker also joined the panel.
Bella Griffith shared her experience with FCA beginning early in her high school years, becoming active in her freshman year at Delta High School.
She recalled events such as lock-ins and the use of a “prayer locker,” a designated space where students could leave written prayer requests for others to read and pray over.
After transferring to Evergreen in her junior year, Griffith said she made a point to reconnect with FCA, continuing her involvement in a new school environment.
“This year I’ve rejoined FCA, and I’ve grown spiritually with that,” she explained. “I now help lead the FCA huddles and I’ve become a leader now.”
She hopes to bring the same prayer locker initiative to Evergreen, allowing students there the same sense of support and connection that first drew her into FCA.
When asked how he has been challenged to be bold in his faith, Archbold High School huddle leader Joe Frank reflected on a moment from nearly three decades ago.
He shared that when FCA was not yet established at Archbold, he was encouraged to start a huddle — but admitted he “became the biggest chicken in the world” and didn’t follow through at the time.
The following year, he made it a point to step forward and start one. In the beginning, only three to four students attended, which he said was discouraging.
Over time, however, his perspective shifted. Instead of focusing on attendance, he learned to value the opportunity to connect with the students who did show up.
“I learned the hard way that it’s really not about the numbers, but the kids who were there… and what they learn and can share with others,” Frank said.
That mindset proved to be foundational. Under Frank’s leadership, the Archbold Huddle continued to grow.
“It grew and it grew, and this year we’ve been blessed to have the biggest huddle we’ve ever had,” he said with a smile. “50 to 60 kids are showing up on a regular basis.”
The evening concluded with a shared meal, continued fellowship and a time of worship. Live music was performed by local FCA students, who led the crowd in songs such as “Praise You Anywhere,” “Who Else” and “I Thank God.”
The event, organized by Rex Stump, served as both a celebration of the past year’s impact and a reminder of the mission moving forward: encouraging student-athletes across the region to live out their faith with boldness, both on and off the field.