Belief Under Fire

When Fear Starts Driving Our Decisions

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:44:54 GMT

Fear or Belief?

Some of the most dangerous decisions leaders make are not loud or rebellious. Fear slips in quietly and starts to sound wise, responsible, even reasonable.

It does not shout. It does not announce itself. It simply begins to shape how we talk about the future. It adjusts our tone. It reframes risk. It nudges us from trust toward control, and if we are not paying attention, we start calling that shift “discernment.”

As I was reading Numbers 14 this week as part of my daily bible reading I began to see it in a new light.

By the time we reach this chapter, Israel has already seen more of God than most of us will ever experience firsthand. They walked through the Red Sea. They ate manna. They followed a visible reminder of God’s presence day and night. Their story is full of evidence that God is with them.

And yet when the spies return and describe the land, the report of giants lands heavier than the memory of deliverance. Nothing about God has changed, but something inside the people has. Fear does not erase what God has done. It makes the present obstacle feel more urgent than past faithfulness. It convinces us that what stands in front of us is more real than the God who has carried us.

As leaders, we can feel when that happens in our people. The language changes. Conversations drift toward what feels safer and more manageable. The future starts sounding like a liability instead of a promise.

And if we are honest, it happens inside us too.

When you are tired, when you have carried responsibility for a long time, resistance feels heavier than it used to. The giants start to look bigger than the grapes. Not because God got smaller, but because your soul is worn down and your margin is thin.

The people in Numbers 14 begin to romanticize Egypt. They talk like slavery was simpler, like predictability was better than promise. “It would have been better for us in Egypt.”

That is not logic. That is fear talking.

Egypt represents control. The wilderness represents dependence. The promised land represents obedience that requires courage and confrontation. When fear starts driving the bus, it always argues for control. It whispers that going back is wisdom. It makes retreat sound mature.

For Christian leaders, the core issue in this chapter is not that the people feel afraid. Fear is human. The deeper issue is who gets to interpret reality.

Ten spies see giants and conclude the mission is impossible. Joshua and Caleb see the same giants and conclude the Lord is with them. They do not deny the threat. They refuse to let the threat define the outcome.

That matters because leaders are always interpreting reality for the people we serve. We do it in meetings, in crisis, in setbacks, and in tone. We are either magnifying the size of the problem, or we are reminding people of the size of their God.

Moses’ response is a gift to tired leaders because it is not flashy. He falls facedown before the Lord. Before he tries to manage the room, he gets low. Before he speaks to people, he speaks to God.

Tired leaders often skip that. We go straight to fixing, straight to solving, straight to carrying. If our hearts are unsettled, we will lead from anxiety, and anxiety always produces either panic or control. Both of those spread fast.

Moses intercedes. Joshua and Caleb speak plainly. They say the land is good. They say the Lord is with them. They say do not be afraid.

They are not naïve. They are grounded. Then the crowd talks about stoning them.

Courage is not always welcomed by people who have already decided that forward is too costly. And when you are leading in ministry and you are already tired, it is exhausting to keep calling people forward when retreat feels easier.

This is where Numbers 14 sobers us.

The majority carries the day. Fear wins. An entire generation dies in the wilderness. They were delivered from Egypt, but they never stepped into the promise.

Hebrews looks back on this moment and names it clearly: unbelief. Not strategic caution. Not prudent pacing. Unbelief.

That word should humble us because unbelief rarely announces itself loudly. It disguises itself as realism. It sounds responsible. It calls itself careful leadership. But at its core, it doubts that God will finish what He started.

So what does this mean for leaders who are tired?

It means we have to be honest about what is driving the bus. Is it faith in the Lord’s presence, or fear of what might happen if we keep going?

It also means we must discern the difference between redirection and resistance. There are times when God closes a door. Acts 16 shows us that clearly. But there are also times when opposition is part of the assignment, not a sign you missed the assignment.

Not every obstacle means you are off course. Sometimes it is the place where your trust is refined.

James says the testing of faith produces perseverance. Peter says faith is refined like gold. Deuteronomy reminds us that God led Israel through the wilderness to test what was in their hearts. In other words, giants reveal what we believe.

For the people, the giants revealed fear. For Joshua and Caleb, they revealed confidence in the Lord.

For us, the question is similar. When pressure increases, do we shrink the vision until it feels manageable, or do we lean more deeply into the presence of God?

Encouraging tired leaders does not mean pretending this is easy. It means remembering that difficulty does not invalidate calling. Calling people to courage does not mean ignoring wisdom. It means refusing to let fear dress up as wisdom.

If you are tired, hear this as kindness, not correction.

Leadership fatigue makes fear sound reasonable. After hard conversations, financial pressure, disappointment, and loss, slowing everything down can feel wise. Sometimes it is. But sometimes fear has moved from the back seat to the front, and you did not notice because it sounded like maturity.

The people in Numbers 14 were worn down. The wilderness had been long. The report felt like more than they could handle. Retreat felt logical.

But the giants were not new territory for God. And they are not new territory for Him now.

If you are leading in ministry, you are not leading on your own strength. The call did not originate from you. The promise did not begin with you. The provision has never ultimately depended on you.

The Lord did not bring Israel out of Egypt to abandon them at the border. He did not lead them through the wilderness to mock them with a promise they could not enter. The promise was real.

What changed was not His faithfulness. What changed was their willingness to trust Him when obedience became costly.

That is where courage is formed.

Courage in Scripture is often quiet. It is steady obedience in the face of uncertainty. Joshua and Caleb simply refused to agree with fear. They spoke what they believed about God and stood in it.

For tired leaders, that might be what courage looks like right now. Not a dramatic overhaul. Not a big speech. Just a settled heart that says, the Lord is with us, and we will keep walking.

And for the people being led, there is responsibility too. Fear spreads quickly in a community. So does faith. The words spoken in side conversations shape the future. Hebrews warns us not to harden our hearts as they did in the wilderness, and that warning is protective. We are meant to stir one another toward love and good works, not toward retreat.

And here is the hope.

Numbers 14 is not the end of the story. God did not abandon His promise. He raised up Joshua. He fulfilled His word. The land was entered. His faithfulness did not expire because His people struggled.

Your fatigue does not cancel His faithfulness. Your fear does not diminish His power. Your present pressure does not rewrite His promises.

The call to courage is not a call to pretend everything is fine. It is a call to remember who God has been.

If you are leading and you feel worn down, go low before the Lord. Let Him steady you again. Rehearse His past faithfulness. Invite wise counsel. Then speak with clarity and steadiness to the people entrusted to you.

And if you are one of the people being led, choose carefully what voice you amplify. Decide whether your words will magnify giants or magnify God.

So let me ask you plainly.

Where in your leadership are you being tempted to hand the wheel to fear?
And what would it look like, today, to take it back and trust Him again?

Leadership, Life, and Ministry: Lessons We’re Still Learning

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:26:02 GMT

We didn’t start this year trying to write lessons.

We stepped into fields, gyms, meetings, conversations, and moments that didn’t come with a script. Somewhere along the way, we realized we were learning while we were leading, being shaped while we were trying to help shape others.

That realization didn’t arrive all at once. It came slowly, through repetition, tension, and moments that forced us to stop and pay attention. That’s usually how real ministry works.

Not at the beginning. Not at the finish line.

In the middle.

This past year in Battlefield FCA wasn’t about polished ideas or clean conclusions. It was about staying awake to what God was doing in us while we tried to stay faithful to what He was doing through us.

Looking back, a few themes kept surfacing. Not because we planned them, but because we needed them.

Focus Is Always Under Attack

One of the most consistent lessons this year was how easily focus slips. Not dramatically. Not all at once.

Quietly.

Like a tide that starts pulling while you’re looking down, adjusting your gear, assuming you’ve got plenty of margin. If you don’t decide your direction, something else will. And it rarely asks permission.

We kept coming back to this truth through fishing stories, gardens, dogs on the hunt, and leadership reflections. Different images, same warning. Focus doesn’t disappear overnight. It erodes through small moments of inattention.

Ministry drifts when urgency replaces intentionality. Leadership drifts when reaction replaces reflection. Faith drifts when familiarity replaces dependence.

You look up one day and ask, “How did I get here?” not realizing how many small decisions quietly carried you downstream. This year reminded us that intentionality is not a one time choice. It is daily. Sometimes hourly.

You either choose your focus, or you inherit whatever pulls the hardest.

Growth Is Messy, Even When We Know Better

I still want growth to be cleaner than it is.

I want clarity without fear. Breakthrough without tension. Obedience without the uncomfortable parts. I know better, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing it were true.

Yesterday, I sat in a meeting with fellow FCA teammates who are walking together through the Wenrich Leadership Institute. We spent time talking about growth, not as a theory or a leadership principle, but as something we are actively living. And what became clear quickly was this. Growth is rarely linear. It is awkward. It exposes blind spots. It brings fear and uncertainty to the surface, even when you are doing the right things.

No one in the room was pretending otherwise.

Growth almost always feels unfinished because it is. It stretches you into places where you don’t feel ready, and it often arrives carrying doubt and hesitation with it. That doesn’t mean something is wrong. More often than not, it means something important is happening.

Fear is not the enemy. Avoidance is.

We wrote about fear a lot this year, not as something to eliminate once and move past, but as something you learn to walk through. Courage doesn’t exist without fear. If fear is absent, courage is unnecessary.

That truth applies everywhere. Leadership. Parenting. Ministry. Faith. Every meaningful step forward seems to come with that quiet internal moment of, “Am I really going to do this?”

Growth does not wait for comfort. It meets you in the middle of obedience.

Character Is Still the Issue Beneath Every Issue

No matter where our writing wandered this year, it kept circling back to character.

Not the kind that shows up when things are going well. The kind that’s revealed when pressure is high, expectations are heavy, and shortcuts start to look reasonable.

Talent might get attention, but character determines whether you last.

We talked often about foundations because they matter. Shallow roots look impressive until storms arrive. Deep roots are quiet, unseen, and essential. The bigger the vision, the deeper the foundation must go. Influence without integrity eventually collapses under its own weight.

Character is not built on platforms or in public moments. It’s formed in the daily, often unnoticed decisions to stay faithful when no one is clapping.

Obedience Is Harder Than Knowledge

Another lesson that kept resurfacing this year was how easy it is to confuse knowing with obeying.

We live in a world full of information. Scripture included. But knowing what is right and doing what is right are not the same thing. Obedience usually costs more than we expect, and delayed obedience has a way of feeling reasonable in the moment.

Partial trust often sounds wise. It feels strategic. It even looks responsible. Until you look back and realize you ignored a nudge you should not have ignored.

God does not often shout. He invites. And the invitation usually requires trust before clarity.

That is especially difficult for leaders who are wired to plan, anticipate, and manage outcomes. But obedience has a way of revealing where our trust truly sits. This year reminded us again that leaning on our own understanding may feel safer, but it rarely leads to peace.

We Are Still Learning How to Ask for Help

Another thread that ran quietly through much of this year was community, or more honestly, our resistance to it.

Leaders are skilled at carrying things silently. We tell ourselves we are protecting others, staying strong, or handling it well. More often, we are isolating ourselves without realizing the cost.

Silence feels safer than vulnerability. Image feels easier than honesty.

But isolation is expensive.

This year reminded us that strength is not found in suffering alone. It grows in trusted relationships where doubts, fears, and questions can be spoken without fear of judgment. Healing and clarity tend to accelerate when performance gives way to honesty.

No one was meant to carry this alone. Not coaches. Not athletes. Not leaders. Not you.

The Work Is Worth It Because People Are Worth It

Through all of this, one thing remained clear.

People matter.

Not numbers. Not metrics. Not recognition.

Coaches encouraged through quiet conversations. Athletes seen for who they are, not just how they perform. Volunteers showing up faithfully when no one else notices. Moments that never make headlines but shape lives.

That is the heartbeat of Battlefield FCA. It always has been.

This year reminded us why we stay in the work even when it feels heavy. Why faithfulness matters when progress feels slow. Why God so often chooses ordinary spaces to do extraordinary things.

Locker rooms. Fields. Outdoors. Sidelines. Conversations that feel small but ripple farther than we can see.

Still in the Middle

This isn’t a wrap up. It’s a pause.

We are still learning, still growing, still being shaped, and still asking God to correct our focus and deepen our roots. Some things are clearer than they were a year ago. Others are still being worked out in real time.

But we’re grateful.

Grateful for the lessons that didn’t come easily. Grateful for the tension that exposed what needed to change. Grateful for the people who stayed in the work together, even when it felt heavy.

God has a way of meeting us where we actually are, not where we pretend to be. More often than not, that place is the middle of the work, not the finish line.

So as this year closes, maybe the better question isn’t what you accomplished. Maybe it’s this...

What did this year reveal about where your attention has been slipping?
What has God been trying to grow in you that you’ve been tempted to rush or avoid?
And what might faithfulness look like in the next honest step, not the whole picture?

We’ll keep stepping onto the field. Learning as we go. Trusting that God is still at work, even when things feel unfinished.

Because most of the important work is.

One last thing.

Before turning the page on this year, I’d love to hear from you.

What would be most helpful for me to write about in the coming year as we continue to wrestle with leadership, life, and ministry together?

If there’s a question, tension, or topic you’d want me to lean into, I’m listening.

Happy New Year and God Bless!
Scot

Are you wondering how you can make difference? Maybe Sports Ministry could be a path for you.

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The Path No One Was Looking For

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:44:35 GMT

That’s why Christmas matters in a way that still unsettles me.

God didn’t arrive with force or spectacle. He didn’t come wrapped in authority or positioned at the center of influence. There was no demand for allegiance, no display of dominance meant to silence opposition. Instead, He came quietly, choosing vulnerability over power and obscurity over recognition.

A child.

Born into limitation. Born into dependence. Born into the very mess humanity had been trying and failing to clean up on its own.

After centuries of failure, we would expect a solution that looked strong and unmistakable. But God chose a path that looked weak by every worldly standard. That wasn’t an accident. It was the point.

This wasn’t God shouting instructions from a distance. This was God stepping fully into the human experience. Into temptation and loss, into suffering and grief, into the weight we all carry whether we talk about it or not. Jesus didn’t come merely to show us a better way to behave. He came to heal what had been broken at its source.

The path He offered was nothing like the ones we had been chasing. It didn’t begin with climbing higher or proving ourselves worthy. It began with surrender, with trust, with restoration that works from the inside out.

That path has changed me, slowly and imperfectly. I’ve walked enough other roads to know where they lead. I’ve chased success, approval, control, and certainty, and none of them quieted the ache for very long.

This one did something different. It didn’t remove struggle from my life, but it changed my direction.

And direction matters more than momentum.

Christmas isn’t about preserving a moment in history. It’s about God making a way where none existed, opening a path that leads somewhere completely different than the one the world keeps selling us.

Maybe that’s why this season still stirs us. The ache we try so hard to decorate isn’t a flaw or a weakness. It’s a signal. Something was broken. Someone came to heal it. And the path is still there, quiet and patient, waiting to be noticed.

Whether we’re ready to walk it is something each of us has to wrestle with for ourselves.

If this idea of a different path stirs something in you, and you’re not sure what to do with it, you don’t have to sort it out alone. If you want to talk, ask questions, or simply wrestle with it out loud, I’m here. No pressure. Just a conversation. Reach out anytime.

Humanity’s Longest Losing Streak

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:23:31 GMT

If you step back far enough, the ache begins to make sense.

Human history isn’t the story of people who didn’t try hard enough. It’s the story of people who tried nearly everything they could think of and still came up short. Over and over again.

At the beginning, things were good in a way that wasn’t fragile or naive. Humanity was created for relationship, for trust, for connection with God and with one another. That trust was the soil everything was meant to grow from. But when it was broken, the fracture ran deeper than we realized at the time.

From there, the pattern repeated itself.

We tried power, believing strength and control could restore order. Power corrupted as often as it protected. We tried rules and systems, hoping structure could keep us from falling apart. They shaped behavior for a while, but they never healed what was underneath. We tried strong leaders, kings, heroes, people who promised they could carry the weight for us. They failed.

We tried religion, even when it hurts to admit it. What was meant to be relationship often became performance and comparison. We tried progress, convinced that if we could just get smarter, faster, and more advanced, we would finally outrun the ache. Technology advanced. The human soul didn’t.

Generation after generation, the same brokenness showed up wearing new clothes. It wasn’t a lack of effort. It was a misunderstanding of where the real problem lived.

I think about gardening when I think about this. You can have good seed and sincere intention, but if the soil is wrong, growth never lasts. Weeds choke life. Roots stay shallow. From a distance things may look promising for a season, but eventually the weakness underneath shows itself.

That’s been our story.

We’ve tried to fix surface issues without healing the deeper break. We’ve focused on behavior, achievement, and control while ignoring the soil of the heart where everything actually grows. The Old Testament, when read honestly, doesn’t feel like a list of religious demands. It reads like a long, unfiltered record of humanity’s losing streak and God’s refusal to walk away.

Promise after promise. Rescue after rescue. Patience stretched far beyond what seems reasonable. And still the ache remains.

Not because God was absent.

But because the break was deeper than effort could ever reach.

At some point, the truth became unavoidable. If this was ever going to be healed, God Himself would have to step into the fracture.

If you missed the first part of this series you can read it here:
https://battlefieldfca.org/the-ache-we-try-to-decorate-at-christmas

I will wrap this up in a few days. Stay tuned

The Ache We Try to Decorate at Christmas

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:47:19 GMT

When celebration doesn’t quiet the longing underneath it all

This is the first of a short series of reflections I’ve been sitting with this Christmas season. Enjoy!

Christmas has always stirred something in me, and it’s not just the warm stuff people usually talk about. There’s joy, yes, and nostalgia, but there’s also something heavier that shows up every year whether I’m ready for it or not. A quiet ache that seems to sit just below the surface of all the lights and music.

We’re really good at covering that ache up this time of year.

We stay busy. We lean hard into traditions. We tell ourselves this is just how December feels, that we’re tired, stretched thin, maybe a little emotional. But if we’re honest, that ache feels older than the season. It feels like it’s been around longer than this year, longer than this job, longer than whatever circumstance we’re blaming it on.

I’ve felt it in seasons when, on paper, everything looked good. Work was moving forward. Ministry was active. Family life was full. There wasn’t some obvious crisis or collapse happening behind the scenes. And still, there was this low hum inside me that whispered something wasn’t quite right.

Not wrong exactly. Just incomplete.

It wasn’t rebellion. It wasn’t despair. It was more like realizing I was moving through life efficiently, responsibly, faithfully even, but somehow skimming the surface of something that was meant to be deeper and more rooted. Like checking all the right boxes while quietly wondering why the boxes never seemed to satisfy for very long.

Christmas has a way of exposing that. It slows us just enough to feel what we normally outrun. When the house gets quiet at night, when the celebrations wind down, when the expectations lift for a moment, that ache shows itself again.

And for a lot of us, the instinct is to hurry up and cover it back over.

But what if the ache isn’t something to fix or hide. What if it’s telling us the truth about ourselves.

Christmas doesn’t create the ache. It reveals it. And once you start paying attention, you realize how universal it is. Different stories, different beliefs, different paths, yet the same restlessness keeps surfacing. That alone should tell us something.

The question isn’t whether the ache exists.

The question is why.

I’ll keep walking through this in the next reflection.

When Obedience Makes Life Harder

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:32:50 GMT

What Exodus 5 Taught Me About Calling, Discernment, and Leadership

Exodus 5 is one of those chapters you can read a hundred times and suddenly see something new because you’ve lived it. Moses obeys God. He marches into Pharaoh’s court. He delivers the message exactly the way God told him to.

And instead of the situation improving, everything collapses. Pharaoh punishes the people. The people blame Moses.

And Moses turns around and says to God, in pure honesty:

“Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not delivered Your people at all.” Exodus 5:22–23

It’s raw. It’s frustrated. It’s very human. And honestly? It sounds like most of us in leadership at one point or another.

But here’s the part that always grabs me: God already told Moses this would happen.

Back in Exodus 3 and 4, God said:

Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened
He will not let you go at first
This will take multiple confrontations

Moses didn’t misunderstand the instructions. He didn’t forget the plan. He didn’t need a theological refresher. He just wasn’t emotionally prepared for obedience to backfire.

Chuck Swindoll once wrote, “Moses wasn’t doubting God’s word. He was discovering the cost of following it.”

And that’s exactly what’s happening here.

Hearing God’s will is one thing. Living through it is another.

Moses expected spiritual fireworks… and instead he got political fallout.

He expected resistance… but not rejection from his own people.

He expected God to move… and instead God let things get worse first.

This is the moment where calling collides with reality. And every leader eventually lives this moment.

Why didn’t Moses remind the people of God’s plan? This always bothered me too.

Moses never says,

“Don’t panic. God told me this would happen. It’s part of the plan.”

Instead, he stands there taking all the heat.

Here’s why:

1. God didn’t tell Moses to explain that part to the people.
God gave Moses specific talking points:

God hears
God sees
God will deliver
Go with the elders to Pharaoh

But God never said, “Tell Israel the process will be slow and painful at first.” So Moses wasn’t hiding anything.

He was simply obedient to what God actually told him to communicate.

2. Israel lacked the emotional capacity for the “long game.”

These were crushed, exhausted, traumatized slaves.

“Hey everyone, this will get worse before it gets better” wasn’t going to help them.

Leadership often requires carrying the parts God shows you that others aren’t ready to hear. God gives leaders portions of the plan the people aren’t ready to carry yet.

That’s leadership.
That’s weight.
That’s why Moses stands alone here.

So why does the Bible never mention Moses “remembering” God’s warning?

Because the point is not mental recall. The point is spiritual formation.

This moment shapes Moses in three ways:

1. God teaches Moses that obedience does not guarantee smooth results.

Tozer said,

“It is doubtful God can use a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

This is Moses’ hurt.

2. God teaches Israel that salvation belongs to Him, not Moses.

If Pharaoh said yes on attempt one, Israel would follow Moses, not the Lord.

God isn’t building a hero. He’s building dependence.

3. God ensures deliverance will be unmistakably supernatural.

Human effort won’t get the credit.

The story must end with, “The Lord brought us out,” not, “Moses finally figured it out.”

This moment exposes what’s in Moses and what’s in Israel. God is preparing both.

Where this hits home for us. This isn’t just Moses’ story. It’s ours.

And honestly?

It’s the story of almost every prospective FCA staff member who steps into their calling.

The Prospective Staff Roadblock

I’ve watched this same pattern unfold in our ministry more times than I can count.

A prospective staff member discerns their call.

They pray.
They listen.
They get confirmation from people who love them and hear from God.
It all lines up beautifully.

Everyone is excited. We’re excited.

It feels like God is moving a chess piece into its spot.

Then they step onto the donor ministry journey.

They start sharing the vision.

They ask people to join them financially or prayerfully.

They’re full of faith… just like Moses walking into Pharaoh’s court.

But instead of excitement, they get hesitation.

Instead of support, they get “not right now.”

People ghost them. People dodge the question.

People admire the calling but won’t join the mission.

They talk to 10 or 15 people — and no one partners.

And the same questions Moses asked start flooding their mind:

“Lord, did I hear You right?”

“If You called me to this, why is it so hard?”

“Why is obedience making everything worse?”

And it’s not just them wrestling.

It’s us too — the leaders who have prayed for years for staff to fill these roles.

“God, everything aligned. It was confirmed in every direction. So why is nothing moving?”

And here’s the truth that every prospective staff member eventually discovers:

Every calling comes with a Pharaoh.
Every assignment comes with resistance.
And every leader faces a moment where obedience feels like failure.

This roadblock hits early for some, late for others, and smack in the middle for many. It’s not proof they misheard God. It’s proof God is forming them.

The Leadership Lesson

Exodus 5 shows us something we all need to remember:

You can be exactly where God wants you… and still feel like everything is falling apart.

Obedience doesn’t guarantee applause. Sometimes it guarantees pressure.

But pressure doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Pressure means you’re being shaped.

You’re being prepared for the weight of the assignment, not punished for saying yes to it.

Moses needed to learn to lead under blame, disappointment, and confusion.

Prospective staff need to learn to stand when their calling isn’t being validated yet.

Leaders in business, coaching, ministry, and family need to learn the same thing:

God’s promise and God’s timing rarely arrive together.

Faith lives in the gap between the two.

And that gap is where God forges leaders.

If you’re in that gap right now…

You’re not forgotten.
You’re not off course.
You’re not disqualified.
You’re not alone.

Sometimes things getting harder is the confirmation — not the contradiction — that God is moving.

But let me offer a few practical steps if you’re feeling the weight of your own Exodus 5:

1. Go to God with honesty, not performance.

Moses didn’t pretend. He didn’t pray polite.

He brought his frustration to God, not away from Him.

Do that. Say the real thing, not the cleaned-up version.

2. Remember what God did say, not what you assumed He said.

Moses wasn’t wrong — he just expected the deliverance to be immediate.

Check your expectations. Go back to what God actually promised you.

3. Don’t interpret resistance as rejection.

Sometimes the pushback is proof you’re standing in the right place.

Pharaoh’s “no” wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.

4. Bring a trusted person into the struggle.

Don’t wrestle alone. Sometimes you need someone to help you see where God is working when your emotions are too loud to notice.

5. Keep stepping in the direction God last confirmed.

When you’re confused, go back to the last clear instruction.

That’s where you stand until God speaks again.

A final thought for leaders, coaches, and prospective FCA staff

If you’re walking through a season where obedience is making life harder, don’t let the weight fool you. This is not the moment to back away.

This is the moment God is doing His quiet work — the deep work — inside you.

He’s forming courage.
He’s forming perseverance.
He’s forming trust.
He’s forming leadership that can withstand real pressure.

And just like with Moses, the story doesn’t end in Exodus 5.

The breakthrough comes. The deliverance comes.

The “God did this” moment comes — in a way that gives Him all the glory and grows you into the leader He’s shaping you to be.

So stay faithful.
Stay steady.
Stay honest before the Lord.
And keep walking in the direction He called you.

You might not see it yet, but the pressure you’re feeling might be the very evidence that God is preparing something far bigger than you imagined .

Go and Grow,
Scot

Are you wondering how you can make difference? Maybe Sports Ministry could be a path for you. Click the links below explore.

Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

Two Audiences. One Message. One Brilliant Leadership Move.

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:53:54 GMT

Leadership Lessons From Acts 17: Why Great Leaders Start Where People Actually Are

Sally and I stood on Mars Hill in Athens in July 2025, and it made Acts 17 hit me like it never had before.

Mars Hill is a massive rock outcropping that looks out over the city. From there you can see the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and ruins of temples scattered across the skyline. When you read Acts 17 you hear about these things, but standing there in person makes you feel the weight of it.

Everywhere you look you see altars, statues, and reminders of a people reaching for meaning in every direction.

Being there changed the way I read Paul’s words.

I could picture what he saw and I understood, in a new way, why he approached people the way he did. It also helped me see something I had missed for years. Acts 17 is not just about contextualizing the gospel for different audiences. It is also about leadership.

It is about how a leader communicates with different people in different ways without ever changing the truth.

To understand the full picture, you have to follow Paul through the whole chapter, not just Mars Hill.

Paul begins in Thessalonica by building on what people already know

Acts 17:1 to 17:3

Paul starts his journey in Thessalonica. There he goes straight into the synagogue. The people in the synagogue already believed in:

God
The authority of the Scriptures
The promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1 to 3)
God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12 to 13)
The idea of a coming Messiah
The prophetic writings

That shared foundation shaped how Paul communicated. Luke says Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). He opened what they already trusted and walked them through the evidence that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and rise again.

Paul likely used passages such as: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 16:10. Daniel 7:13 to 14

Then he pointed to the New Testament fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

First Leadership Lesson.

"Start with what people already believe. Honor their
foundation. Lead from common ground."

Paul later moves to Athens where no one shares his foundation, so he begins somewhere else entirely

Acts 17:16 to 34

From Thessalonica, Paul travels through Berea (Acts 17:10 to 17:14) and then eventually down to Athens (Acts 17:15 to 17:16). Athens was nothing like Thessalonica. It was a city full of:

Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17:18)
Religious idols (Acts 17:16)
Temples
Poetry
Debate
Intellectual tradition
Spiritual curiosity

These people did not:

know Scripture
believe in one true God
care about Jewish prophecy
have any concept of a Messiah

If Paul had started with Isaiah or Moses, he would have lost them immediately. So he did not. He begins

with their world, not his.

He starts with:

their religious hunger
their search for meaning
their own altar “to an unknown god” (Acts 17:23)
their own poets (Acts 17:28)
their own assumptions about life

He talks about creation, purpose, and the God who gives life (Acts 17:24 to 17:29). Only after building this bridge does Paul bring them to Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:30 to 17:31).

Same truth. Different starting point.

Different approach. Same message.

Second Leadership Lesson.

"Different people require different entry points.
Not different truth, but different beginnings."

Leadership requires understanding the person in front of you before you try to move them

When I served as the Character Coach for Fauquier High School football, I saw this principle up close. That team was full of different stories. Some kids were confident. Some were hurting. Some grew up in church. Some had never heard a word of Scripture in their lives.

They were united on the field, but off the field they came from very different places. If I tried to communicate with them all the same way, I would have lost most of them. I had to learn how to read each kid. What they trusted. What they feared. What they believed about themselves.

Some needed challenge. Some needed encouragement. Some needed someone to show up consistently.

That was the only way to gain influence. That was the only way to serve them well. Paul shows the same discipline in Acts 17. He listens to the room. He respects their starting point. And he adjusts his approach so they can actually hear him.

Influence grows when you build real bridges, not barriers

There was a kid on that Fauquier team who struggled deeply with identity. He had a hard time believing that adults cared about him or that he had any real potential. You could feel the walls he carried around. I knew right away that a one size fits all approach would not reach him.

So, week after week, I tried to meet him where he was. I encouraged him. I listened. I showed up. I tried to help him see the strengths in him that he could not see himself. I wanted him to believe he mattered, because he did. But here is the hard truth.

He never fully let me in. He never really opened up. He never took the hand I extended.

That taught me something important. Paul experienced the same thing on Mars Hill. Some believed (Acts 17:34). Some were curious but not yet convinced (Acts 17:32). And some simply did not accept it (Acts 17:32).

Leadership works the same way.

We build bridges.

We extend a hand.

We plant seeds.

We show up.

But we cannot force the response. We just keep loving and leading faithfully.

Acts 17 gives leaders a simple and repeatable framework

Here is Paul’s leadership model, expressed simply:

Know who you are talking to.
Understand their starting point.
Build the right bridge.
Present the truth with clarity.
Trust that different people will respond differently.

Third Leadership Lesson.

"You cannot control whether someone believes, accepts, or changes. You can only control how well you love, serve, and communicate."

The takeaway

Acts 17 is not only a window into the early church. It is a window into wise leadership. Standing on Mars Hill with Sally brought that chapter to life for me in a new way. You can feel what Paul felt. You can see why he spoke the way he did. And it pushes you to slow down, pay attention, and understand the people in front of you before you try to lead them.

Great leaders do not assume. They observe. They listen. They adapt their approach without ever changing the truth. They build bridges instead of barriers.

That is the kind of leadership people can follow. And it starts by meeting people where they are and then helping them take the next step forward.

Go and Grow,
Scot

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The Quiet Danger Every Leader Faces

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:46:26 GMT

Drift starts small, grows silently, and often shows up only when we finally look up.

I was twelve years old, sitting in a small jon boat in Dugualla Bay on Whidbey Island, thinking more about the lures in my tackle box than the water under me. High tide had rolled in, fishing had slowed down, and I started daydreaming like only a twelve-year-old boy can.

Nothing seemed urgent. Nothing seemed dangerous. It was one of those calm mornings where the world feels settled and you feel settled with it.

Then I looked up. And I realized I wasn’t where I thought I was.

The outgoing tide had grabbed hold of that little boat and started taking me out toward open water. If you know anything about the Pacific Northwest, you know that those tides move fast. That bay narrows into a channel that pulls water out like someone yanking the plug in a giant bathtub.

In a motorboat, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But I was in a flat-bottom jon boat with nothing but two oars and twelve-year-old arms.

Panic hit fast.

My dad had taught me one thing that ended up saving me. If you ever get caught in the tide, don’t fight it straight on. Row sideways. Get out of the pull first.

So that’s what I did. I rowed with everything I had. My heart was pounding through my chest. My hands hurt. My shoulders were screaming. And every second, the mouth of the bay was getting closer.

If I didn’t get free soon, I wasn’t going to be just “out fishing.” I was going to be a terrified kid drifting into the Pacific Ocean.

By the grace of God, I broke free of the current and drifted toward shore a few miles down the beach. I pulled the boat along the sand, probably looking like a wet, tired mess. When I finally got home, my mom made it clear that this was not the fishing adventure she had in mind for my Saturday.

That day burned something into my memory.

I didn’t get into danger because I made a stupid decision. I didn’t choose the wrong path. I didn’t decide to go exploring in dangerous water.

I simply drifted.
And that’s exactly what happens to leaders.

People think leaders fall because of some massive failure or catastrophic choice. Sure, that happens. But it is far more common for leaders to lose their footing long before there’s any visible collapse.

Most of the time, the drift starts quietly.

A little distraction here. A small compromise there. A habit you let slide. A warning sign you ignore. A fatigue you don’t pay attention to. A prayer life that turns into a drive-thru instead of a slow meal with the Lord.

Nothing dramatic.
Nothing scandalous.
Nothing anyone would notice.

You’re just not where you once were.

Hebrews 2:1 gives a simple warning. “Pay careful attention so that you do not drift.”

That tells me two things.

First, drift is normal. Second, drift is dangerous if you don’t notice it.

And most leaders don’t notice it until something feels off.

I’ve drifted in almost every area of life at some point. Ministry, marriage, parenting, leadership, spiritual health, mental focus. You name it. None of the drift happened overnight. It never started with rebellion. It wasn’t because I didn’t care. It wasn’t even because I was running from God.

I just got distracted. I got busy. I got tired. And I let the tide decide my direction.

Drift usually takes you farther than you planned to go. And it happens faster than you realize.

That’s the part nobody tells you.

You can drift spiritually while still preaching or teaching.
You can drift in leadership while still hitting goals.
You can drift relationally while still showing up physically.
You can drift emotionally while still performing at a high level.

Everything looks fine on the outside. The boat looks steady. The water looks calm. The systems are running. The meetings are happening. The ministry is moving. People assume you’re good because the metrics are good.

Meanwhile, your soul is quietly being pulled out to sea.

If I’m honest, some of my worst seasons of drift came in seasons of visible success. That’s when you’re most vulnerable, because you stop paying attention. You start believing you can coast. You think momentum will carry you.

It won’t. Momentum hides drift. It never fixes it.

Jesus warned His followers more about subtle drift than open rebellion. Think about the parable of the soils, the warnings about being lukewarm, the moments He called His disciples back to center.

Drift is slow erosion.

Erosion of intimacy.

Erosion of conviction.

Erosion of clarity.

Erosion of first love.

You don’t wake up one morning far from God or far from who you were. You slowly floated there.

Let me go back to that boat for a second.

If I had tried to row straight against the tide, I would have exhausted myself and still lost ground. The current was stronger than my effort. Stronger than my determination.

That’s one of the biggest mistakes I see leaders make. When they feel the drift, they try to fix it by pushing harder at the same things that caused the drift. They take on more work. They add more pressure. They grit their teeth a little more. They pretend burnout is weakness. They call exhaustion faithfulness.

But rowing harder in the wrong direction just wears you out.

To get out of the current, you must row differently. You must row sideways. You must create a different angle. You must name what is pulling you and make a deliberate move away from it.

That’s what leaders often miss.

So what does “rowing sideways” look like for a leader?
Sometimes it means stopping instead of pushing.
Sometimes it means going back to a rhythm of prayer that you abandoned.
Sometimes it means getting honest about spiritual dryness instead of pretending.
Sometimes it means asking for help instead of white-knuckling everything.
Sometimes it means subtracting something from your life instead of adding something new.
Sometimes it means stepping out of the busyness until you can hear God clearly again.

Let me share something I’ve learned through a few scars. God is not as impressed with our hustle as we think He is. He is far more interested in the health of our heart than the speed of our output.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

That’s not a suggestion . That’s a rescue rope for leaders who drift downstream because they never slowed down long enough to notice where the current was taking them.

Stillness is rowing sideways.
Listening is rowing sideways.
Resting is rowing sideways.
Confessing is rowing sideways.
Shifting your priorities back under God’s authority is rowing sideways.

Key Lesson: Move out of the pull before you try to move forward.

Another part of this hit me years later.

When I drifted that day, I was alone. Nobody in the boat to scoop water. Nobody to spot the danger. Nobody to ask me why I wasn’t paying attention. Nobody to tap me on the shoulder.

I believe most leaders drift for the same reason.

Isolation feels normal when you’re carrying a lot. You start to believe no one else understands. You start to believe you need to appear strong. You start to believe you can’t let people see the gaps. You start to believe that vulnerability will cost you influence.

That is one of the enemy’s oldest lies.

Isolation makes drift faster and more painful.

Community steadies you. Discipleship anchors you. Accountability wakes you up.

Ministry was never designed to be a solo boat in fast-moving water. The disciples were sent out two by two for a reason. Paul constantly traveled, taught, and ministered with companions. Jesus formed a small group. Even Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms.

Leaders who refuse community always drift sooner.

So let me ask you the questions I’ve had to ask myself more times than I care to admit.

Where have you drifted?
Where did you stop paying attention?
Where is the tide pulling you?
Where do you need to shift direction before you get swept farther out?
Where do you need to row sideways and catch your breath with the Lord?
Where do you need community?
Where do you need accountability?
Where do you need honesty?

These are not questions of shame. They are invitations.

Invitations back to clarity.
Back to intimacy.
Back to calling.
Back to purpose.
Back to the Leader who never drifts even when you do.

I think back to that twelve-year-old kid on the bay. Exhausted. Scared. Slowly pulling a boat down the beach toward home. I didn’t know it then, but that moment was training for leadership.

Because every leader eventually finds themselves miles down the shore wondering how in the world they got there. And every leader will be tempted to believe they need to row harder, do more, and push faster.

But God’s rescue often starts with a pause. A look around. A moment of honesty. A simple prayer. And a decision to row differently.

If you feel like you’ve drifted, you’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re not disqualified. You’re not done.

You just need to lift your eyes, adjust your direction, and row sideways until the pull lets go.

There is solid ground waiting for you.

There is clarity waiting for you.

There is renewal waiting for you.

And there is a God who never stops calling leaders back home.

You can lead again with strength and alignment.

You can love again with a full heart.

You can serve again with joy.

You can walk again with purpose.

Just look up.

Check the water. And start rowing with intention.

Your next stretch of leadership can be your best yet.

Not because you never drift, but because you know how to return.

Go and Grow,
Scot

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Respect for All: Beyond the Field

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:10:47 GMT

This week at Fauquier High School,

I had the privilege of sharing a BAM (Become A Man) principle with the Fauquier High School football team as their FCA Character Coach. These principles were developed by Head Coach Downs, and I’ve been invited to help reinforce them with the team throughout the season. This week's focus was Respect for All.

Now, when I’m with the team, I keep things straightforward and practical. We talked about humility, self-control, and the way respect can shape their culture as a team. But because it’s a public school setting, I don’t open the Bible with them.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a biblical foundation behind what I’m sharing. There is. So consider this the expanded version of what I taught them — the fuller truth underneath the principle.

The Foundation of Respect

The Bible is clear about where respect begins.

Every person is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). That means their value is not earned by performance or status — it’s given by God Himself.
We’re called to honor all people (1 Peter 2:17). Not just the ones who treat us well, not just the ones we like. All.
Jesus raised the bar when He said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). That’s not soft. That’s strength under control.

Respect in God’s eyes isn’t something that has to be earned. It’s the baseline. It’s given because of who He is and what He’s done.

A Lesson from McDonald’s

My very first job was at McDonald’s as a teenager. I thought I was all that back then — full of confidence but short on humility.

One day we were slammed. Eight buses rolled into the lot, and suddenly it felt like the whole world wanted a burger. I decided to break protocol and load up the grill with 60 quarter pounders at once. The manager came over and started getting on me for it. I don’t even remember what she said, but I remember what I did.

I snapped. Right there in the middle of the chaos, I let her have it — loud, disrespectful, cutting. And when I finished, the customers in the dining room clapped. For a split second, I felt like the man. But then I looked over and saw her crying.

That moment hit me like a punch in the gut. Respect isn’t about making ourselves look good. It’s not about winning the crowd. It’s about valuing people, even when we disagree, even when it’s heated. That day I learned the hard way: everyone deserves respect.

Imagine If…

Imagine if in your workplace, every single person chose to give respect first.

Imagine if in your family, respect was never earned, only given.

Imagine if in your community, even the toughest disagreements were met with a baseline of honor.

It would change everything. Because respect creates space for trust. And trust creates space for influence.

Respect Is a Reflection of Christ

When we choose respect, we’re not just being polite. We’re reflecting the heart of Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-4 says it plainly: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

That’s not natural. It doesn’t come easy. But it’s the way of Christ. And if we’re going to lead — whether on a football field, in a locker room, or in an office — that’s the model we’ve been given.

The Challenge

Here’s the question I left with the team, and I’ll leave it with you:

What would change in your world if you gave baseline respect all the time – even to the hardest people?

Chew on that. Live it out. And don’t just keep it to yourself — share it with your family, your coworkers, your teammates. See what happens when respect becomes the standard, not the exception.

That’s how culture shifts. That’s how teams, families, and organizations grow strong. And ultimately, that’s how the Kingdom of God gets put on display in everyday life.

Are you wondering how you can make difference? Maybe Sports Ministry could be a path for you.

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When the Old Trail Disappears

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:02:18 GMT

It’s been more than twenty years, but I still remember it vividly.

One evening, my friend Bruce Hunt and I decided to head down to the Rappahannock River to fish. I had walked that trail countless times before. I could see it in my mind as clear as daylight — where it cut through the woods, the spots where roots made natural steps, the way it wound toward the steep hill that drops to the river.

I told Bruce I’d lead the way. But almost immediately, something was different.

The growth had thickened. Storms had blown trees across parts of the trail. New paths had been carved by others that didn’t exist before. The landmarks I depended on were either hidden or gone. The path I knew by heart was no longer there.

At first, I brushed it off. I kept walking, sure the old trail would open up again. I was leading, after all. But every turn led to more confusion. Every step forward seemed to add another layer of doubt.

We never even reached the steep hill. I could picture it in my mind, but we couldn’t find the way. And then the light started fading. You know how fast the woods grow dark when the sun dips. One minute it’s evening, the next it feels like night is rushing in.

That’s when the mission shifted. It wasn’t about reaching the river anymore.

It was about getting back safely. About retracing steps, second-guessing turns, and fighting the feeling that the truck might not be waiting where we left it.

That night, we never made it to the water.

What the Trail Taught Me

That evening has stayed with me for more than two decades. Because it’s not just about a fishing trip. It’s about life, relationships, and leadership.

Nothing stays the same.

Trails grow over. Landmarks fade. Storms reshape the landscape. What was once familiar becomes foreign. The map in your head doesn’t always match the ground under your feet anymore.

The same is true in life.

The same is true in marriage. The same is true in leading people.

The conversation that once encouraged your child may no longer reach their heart.
The play you ran last season may not work with this year’s team.
The management style that motivated an employee ten years ago may leave them disengaged today.

If you keep insisting on the old trail, you’ll eventually end up lost.

Leadership and the Shifting Trail

Here’s what I’ve learned: leadership isn’t about having the perfect map. It’s about recognizing when the map no longer matches reality — and having the humility and courage to adapt.

Leaders get in trouble when they cling to how things used to be. This worked before, so it must work now. That’s when frustration builds. That’s when people stop following.The woods had changed. The trail was gone. My choice was simple: keep forcing the old way and risk the dark, or adjust and find a new route back.

Leadership works the same way.

Lessons for Life and Relationships

Pay attention to growth. People aren’t the same today as they were yesterday. Your spouse, your kids, your teammates — they’ve been through things, they’ve changed. Don’t assume the old approach still works.
Respect the storms. Life has a way of knocking trees across familiar paths. Illness, loss, transitions, and setbacks change people. Leaders who ignore the storms lose touch with their people.
Adapt the path, keep the mission. The mission that night was to fish the river. But when reality changed, the mission became getting back safe. In leadership, we hold on tightly to the destination — but we must hold our methods loosely.
Anchor in what doesn’t change. The only reason I can lead with flexibility is because I trust the God who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That truth gives me stability when everything else shifts.

Final Thought

Bruce and I never caught a fish that evening. But I caught something far more valuable.

Trails change. People change. Teams change. What used to guide you might not guide you anymore. And when that happens, the question every leader has to answer is simple:

Will I cling to the old path, or will I have the courage to find a new one?

That choice will define your leadership. It will shape your relationships. And it may just determine whether you and the people you’re leading make it back before dark.

Leadership is Selflessness

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:37:40 GMT

When most people hear the word “leadership,” they picture someone standing at the front of the room, giving orders, or holding the spotlight.

But here’s the truth: leadership is not about you.

It’s not about the position, the title, or the perks. Leadership is selflessness.

Why this is hard

Everything around us says the opposite. The world teaches us to climb the ladder, build our brand, make it all about “me.” We scroll social media and it screams louder: “Promote yourself. Get noticed. Show off your wins.”

And yet - look around. People are hungry for leaders who actually care. Not leaders who want something from them, but leaders who want something for them.

Selfless leadership looks like this:

Giving up your seat so someone else can sit.
Listening when you’d rather talk.
Putting your people in the spotlight instead of grabbing it for yourself.

It’s not glamorous. Sometimes it’s even painful. But it’s real.

The leaders who stick with us

Think back on the leaders who changed you. Maybe it was a coach, a teacher, a boss, a parent. The ones who left a mark weren’t the ones shouting or demanding recognition. They were the ones who made you feel like you mattered.

I’ve had leaders in my life who picked me up when I didn’t believe in myself. And I’ve also had leaders who made everything about them. Guess which ones I still want to follow?

Exactly.

Selflessness in action

Selfless leadership means three things to me:

Selflessness means sacrifice.John Maxwell says, “A leader must give up to go up.” That’s true. The higher you go in leadership, the less it’s about you. You give up your comfort, your time, sometimes even your recognition. You may never get the credit, but you’re okay with that because your people win.
Selflessness means serving. People are not here to make your dream happen. You’re here to help them become who they’re meant to be. The best leaders I know are servants. They don’t see people as tools for success — they see people as the success.
Selflessness means seeing beyond yourself. Leaders who only think about their own image might win for a moment, but they don’t last. Legacy belongs to those who invest in others.

The tension we all feel

Now, let me be real: this is hard. Everything in me wants to look out for myself first. I fail at this plenty. I can drift into self-protection, self-promotion, self-preservation.

But when I’m at my best, I’m looking outward. Because leadership is not about getting ahead. It’s about bringing others with you.

A biblical picture

Philippians 2:3-4 says it clearly: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

That’s leadership.

Jesus Himself modeled it. The Son of God washed the feet of His disciples. He gave His life for others. That’s the ultimate picture of leadership — selfless sacrifice.

The challenge for us

So here’s the question: who are you lifting up today?

It’s not about you. It’s about the people you influence. It’s about the teammate who needs encouragement, the employee who needs a chance, the kid who needs someone to believe in them.

The world has enough bosses. What it needs are leaders who walk into every room not asking “What can I get?” but “What can I give?”

That’s when people follow. That’s when trust is built. That’s when lives change.

Because leadership — real leadership — is selflessness.

Hold the Line: Building a Strong Moral Foundation

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:33:35 GMT

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend time with the Fauquier High School football team, talking about one of the most important qualities for both athletes and men: having a strong moral foundation.

It’s easy to think about football in terms of strength, speed, and skill.

But when life gets tough, it’s not talent that keeps you standing — it’s the foundation you’ve built. Without it, storms will knock you off balance. With it, you stay grounded no matter what comes.

We talked about three key traits that make up a strong foundation: Integrity, Courage, and Faithfulness.

Integrity is about standing firm, not bending when it’s easier to cut corners.
Courage is choosing to do what’s right even when it costs you.
Faithfulness is showing up, keeping your word, and staying the course.

To bring this lesson to life, we ran a challenge on the field. Players formed tight huddles around a football, shoulder-to-shoulder, protecting what was inside. Team captains tried to break through and get the ball. What happened next was powerful. One group lost the football quickly, but instead of quitting, they asked to try again.

They huddled up, talked about what went wrong, and came back stronger. Another group held firm and didn’t let the captains break through at all. Both groups showed growth. After the drill, I handed it to the leadership team. Captains pulled aside 3–4 players each and led a debrief with three questions:

What made us strong?
What broke us down?
What did we learn?

When they came back together and shared, the theme was clear: how they communicated in the storm determined the strength of their foundation. That insight didn’t come from me — it came from the players themselves. And that’s the kind of ownership you want to see in a team.

They held their integrity, displayed courage against bigger, faster opponents, and stayed faithful to protecting what mattered most.

That’s what it means to hold the line. That’s the kind of foundation every athlete, and every man, needs: integrity that doesn’t bend, courage that doesn’t back down, and faithfulness that doesn’t quit.

Bonus Section for Believers:

The True Foundation What we practiced yesterday with integrity, courage, and faithfulness points to something even greater. In life, we can try to build strong character, but if our ultimate foundation is shaky, we’ll still collapse when the storms of life hit.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24–25 that the wise man builds his house on the rock. The storms beat against it, but it stands firm because of its foundation.

In the same way, 1 Corinthians 3:11 tells us that no foundation can be laid other than Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20–21), the solid rock who will not shift under pressure.

Isaiah 28:16 promises that whoever trusts in Him will never be shaken. That means integrity, courage, and faithfulness are not just good traits — they are reflections of Jesus Himself. He is perfectly faithful, He never compromises, and He displayed ultimate courage when He went to the cross for us.

When we root our lives in Him, storms will still come — but we won’t be swept away.

Facing My Fear: The Courage to Be Authentic

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:00:02 GMT

Here’s something I wish someone told me sooner: Fear doesn’t disappear just because you believe in Jesus.

Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is stop pretending you're fine.

I spent years managing an image. I wanted to be seen as the guy who had it all together - in business, in ministry, in family. But under the surface? I was often exhausted, insecure, and wondering if I was enough.

The turning point wasn’t dramatic. It was me, in a quiet moment, realizing I was tired of performing and polishing. I just wanted to be honest.

The moment I let myself say things like:

"I don't know."
"I'm struggling."
"I need help."

Something broke loose.

Authenticity is scary, but it's where freedom starts.

You can’t lead people while hiding from them. You can’t grow if you're protecting your mask. You can’t disciple others if you're afraid to go first.

Jesus didn’t fake it. He wept. He got tired. He prayed with agony. And He showed us the way.

If you feel afraid to be real - you’re not weak. You’re right on the edge of breakthrough.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Cor. 4:7)

Courage isn’t loud. Sometimes it sounds like a whisper: "Here I am. All of me."

Leadership Jesus-Style: Serve First, Lead Second

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:00:05 GMT

Leadership isn't about getting to the top. It's about kneeling to serve where no one else wants to.

One of the greatest leadership lessons I ever learned didn’t come from a business book. It came from a towel.

Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, did something none of His disciples saw coming: He grabbed a towel and washed their feet.

In a moment when He could have pulled rank... When He had every right to demand loyalty... When fear and pressure were thick in the air...

He knelt.

That kind of leadership wrecked me in the best way. Because for years, I thought leadership meant drive, direction, big vision, clear plans. And those matter. But Jesus redefined it:

"If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

If you're leading anything - a ministry, a team, a staff, a business - ask yourself this: Am I serving first? Or am I leading to be seen?

I’ve seen leaders chase influence and burn out. I’ve also seen the ones who wash feet. They last. They multiply. They raise up leaders who serve, not shine.

The older I get, the more I realize: Real leadership looks like sweat, listening, showing up when it’s inconvenient, and letting someone else go first.

That's the kind of leadership that changes people. It changed me.

Here’s how you can serve first:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

Fishing & Focus: Why Battlefield FCA’s Vision Demands Intentionality

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:45:01 GMT

�� Ever get caught drifting without realizing it? It happens fast — in fishing and in leadership. Here's why Battlefield FCA is paddling with intentionality every single day...

Fishing & Focus: Why Battlefield FCA’s Vision Demands Intentionality

When I was a kid living on Whidbey Island, I loved fishing.
One day, I was out in a little johnboat, lost in thought, not paying much attention.
When I finally looked up — the tide had pulled me miles away from where I started.

Panic hit.
I grabbed the oars and paddled like crazy, remembering something my dad had taught me:
"If you get caught in the tide, don’t fight it head-on — row across it."

It worked.
Barely.
But it took everything I had.

That experience has stuck with me — and it hits even harder today as I think about Battlefield FCA’s vision .

If we don't stay focused... if we don't paddle intentionally every day...
the tides of culture, busyness, and distraction will sweep us wherever they want to take us.
And we'll end up miles from where God called us to go.

That’s why we aren’t casual about our vision.
We are building with purpose:

✅ A Huddle on every team in every school.
✅ A Character Coach for every team.
✅ A Coaches Huddle in every school.
✅ Expanding into Clubs, Leagues, Outdoor Sports, and All-Abilities Sports.
✅ Raising up volunteers who multiply disciples — not just run programs.

This isn’t just about "doing good things."
It’s about staying laser-focused on why we exist :

"To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church."

No drift.
No casual rowing.
No settling for survival.

We are in the hunt — fishing intentionally for the hearts and lives God has called us to reach.

If you’re rowing with us — let's stay focused.
If you’re ready to join the mission — jump in.
The tide isn’t slowing down. But neither are we.

Here’s how you can jump in:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

#vision #leadership #discipleship #BattlefieldFCA #FCA

Beyond Capacity: Rethinking Limits in Light of Christ

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:45:00 GMT

I've been hearing a phrase a lot lately: "I'm at capacity." And I get it. Life is full. Between work, family, ministry, sports, and just trying to keep your head above water, there are days when it feels like you're stretched to the limit. But here’s what’s been stirring in me: I don’t think this phrase is helping us. Especially not in ministry. Especially not in something like FCA, where we’re called to give our lives to the mission of reaching every coach and athlete with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When did we start believing that our capacity is the ceiling of our calling?

Sure, we are human. We have limits. We need sleep. We need rest. Jesus Himself modeled that. But if we stop there, we’re missing something huge. Scripture never calls us to stay within the bounds of our comfort or capacity. It calls us to surrender. To sacrifice. To pour it all out for the sake of Christ.

Let me be clear - this isn’t a guilt trip. And it’s not coming from someone who’s figured it out. I wrestle with this too. I’ve said, “I’m at capacity.” I’ve pulled back when I felt stretched. I’ve chosen convenience over calling more times than I’d like to admit. But what the Lord keeps showing me is that my threshold isn't the measure - His presence is .

Christ Is Our Capacity

Paul gives us a powerful example in Colossians 1:29: “I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” Paul’s calling was enormous: spreading the Gospel, planting churches, suffering deeply along the way. But he didn’t lean on his own ability. He pressed forward not because he had the energy, but because Christ's strength was powerfully working within him.

This is not about ignoring healthy rhythms of rest - it’s about where we turn when we're called beyond what we think we can handle. The call to serve and lead in ministry - whether it's leading a Huddle, coaching a team, hosting a Bible study, or just showing up to love people consistently - isn't supposed to be convenient. It's supposed to be Spirit - empowered.

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). So, when we say, "I'm at capacity," maybe what we really mean is, "I'm at the end of my strength." And that might be the best place to begin. Because if Christ is our capacity, then the better question is: What is He asking me to do, and will I trust Him to carry me through it?

The Danger of a "Capacity" Mindset

Let’s be honest - it’s easy to start measuring our obedience based on margin. And that might sound responsible, even mature. But over time, it can subtly shift from wisdom to avoidance. The disciples could have said the same thing when Jesus asked them to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. But He wasn’t asking them to operate from their capacity. He was asking them to offer what they had and trust Him to multiply it.

Boundaries are wise. But boundaries should serve obedience , not replace it. There’s a difference between being Spirit-led and being schedule - driven. If we let “capacity” become our filter, we’ll say no to things God is inviting us into. And when that happens, the body of Christ misses out on what God might do through us.

Jesus never promised ministry would be manageable. He promised it would be fruitful (John 15:8). And the fruit comes through abiding, not retreating.

So What Are We Called To?

Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices - holy and pleasing to God . That’s not symbolic. That’s daily. Sacrificial. Real. Luke 9:23 echoes the same when Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

And Paul, near the end of his life, says in 2 Timothy 4:6, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering.” That’s a life lived beyond comfort, beyond convenience - beyond capacity .

This is the kind of life Jesus invites us into. It’s the kind of life the FCA mission invites us into. It’s not about having extra margin - it’s about having a mindset of surrender. It’s about ordinary people trusting an extraordinary God to do something eternal through their yes.

A Personal Window

I can’t speak about this as someone who has figured it out. I’m very much in it. Just recently, I found myself overwhelmed with the weight of trying to shepherd eight prospective FCA staff members - each with their own story, their own needs, and their own journey. I wanted to invest in them, care for them, and help launch them into ministry in the right way. Meanwhile, I was still responsible for leading our current team, stewarding the vision, and raising significant funds for the Battlefield FCA area.

We were preparing for the Victory Dinner - a crucial night for our staff’s support and our ministry’s momentum - and every detail felt urgent.

And yet, I still felt convicted to guard my early morning hours with the Lord: three to four hours each day in prayer, Scripture, and simply being present with Christ. It wasn’t the efficient choice. It didn’t look productive on paper. But it was the only thing that grounded me.

All while walking through the heartache of seeing two of my daughter’s drift spiritually, praying and hoping for their return. All while learning how to better love and serve my wife - 34 years into marriage and still growing. All while stepping into a new role of helping care for my father as he battles dementia, walking alongside my mother and sisters to honor him with dignity and love.

Did I feel "at capacity"? Absolutely. But what the Lord keeps teaching me is this: my strength was never meant to be the fuel. My capacity is not the determining factor - His presence is. His grace doesn’t always lighten the load. Sometimes, it simply lifts the heart.

Colossians 1:29 continues to echo in my heart: "I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me." That kind of striving isn’t a frantic hustle - it’s a Spirit - empowered effort that goes beyond what human strength can sustain.

And I’ve been reflecting deeply on 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - 5, where Paul commends the believers for their "work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." That phrase has stayed with me: endurance inspired by hope. Our strength isn’t rooted in our own performance - but in being chosen by God and empowered through the Holy Spirit. That’s the only way I’m still standing.

These verses don’t erase the hard - but they anchor me in the truth that my capacity is not about me.

A Better Way Forward

Before you move on, consider asking yourself a couple of hard but holy questions:

Am I making decisions based on personal comfort - or on Christ's call?
Where have I allowed emotional exhaustion to masquerade as spiritual surrender?
Is there a place where "I’m at capacity" became an excuse, and God is still inviting me to trust Him deeper?

This isn’t a call to run harder. It’s a call to live deeper. It’s about being led by the Spirit, not boxed in by fear. It’s about trusting that the God who called you will also sustain you.

Maybe it’s time we stop asking, "How much can I handle?" and start asking, "What is Christ calling me to do?"

Because if Jesus is calling you to it, He’ll give you the grace and strength to do it.

So go ahead. Say yes. Show up. Serve. Lead. Not because you have the margin, but because you have the Messiah.

Your capacity isn’t the limit. Christ is the source.

Here’s how you can jump in:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

The Terror Barrier: Embracing Fear as a Leader

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:36:17 GMT

Every leader hits the wall of fear. What you do next determines everything. Here’s what I’ve learned about the Terror Barrier...

If you're leading anything worth building, you're going to hit it.
The Terror Barrier.

That moment where fear, doubt, and worry smack you across the face — and everything inside you wants to pull back, shut it down, and go back to what's safe.

I used to think if I was scared, it meant I wasn't ready. That real leaders were fearless.
Turns out, that’s a lie.

Fear is actually confirmation you're stepping into territory you've never been before.
It’s a sign you’re moving toward growth.

I first learned about the Terror Barrier years ago through leadership coaching — and it changed my entire mindset.

See, most people hit the wall of fear and retreat. They go back to the comfort zone.
Leaders?
They feel the fear.
They harness it.
And they move forward through it.

You can’t think your way through the Terror Barrier.
You act your way through it.
One small, scary, forward step at a time.

I’ve lived this so many times in leadership — launching new initiatives, building teams, raising funds, risking reputation, fighting off the voice that says, "What if it doesn't work?"

What I've learned is this:
Fear isn't your enemy.
It's your opportunity.
It’s the gateway to the leader God is shaping you to become.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."
— 2 Timothy 1:7 (CSB)

Maybe today, you’re staring at your own Terror Barrier.
Good.
It means you're close.

Lean into it.
Step through it.
The breakthrough is almost always right on the other side.

Here’s how you can jump in:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

#leadership #faithoverfear #growth #BattlefieldFCA

This Is the Play That Could Change Everything

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:54:45 GMT

There’s a moment in ministry where the vision gets so big, you almost hesitate to say it out loud.

For me, it happened while looking at a map—eight counties, three cities, countless schools, hundreds of teams, thousands of athletes and coaches—and realizing: we’re just getting started.

It began with a bold but simple dream: a Huddle on every team, in every school. That dream still drives us. But God’s made it clear - He’s not finished expanding it.

Because the reach of sports goes far beyond school walls. It runs through backyards, fields, gyms, lakes, trails, and living rooms. It’s how kids are shaped, how parents connect, how communities come alive. It’s where identities are formed - and eternities are changed.

So here’s the bigger, bolder vision:

What if…

…every coach and athlete in Battlefield FCA’s region could encounter Jesus in a setting where they already show up - whether school, club, league, camp, or community field?

What if every single sports environment - whether it’s a gym or a gravel path - became a discipleship environment?

That’s the heart behind Battlefield FCA’s expanded vision. And it aligns directly with the overall mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes:

"To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church."

Everything we do flows from that mission.

The vision of FCA is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

That vision is what motivates us and sets our direction. At Battlefield FCA, it serves as our North Star - the future we are moving toward. The mission is how we live it out today - step by faithful step, play by Kingdom play.

We’re not inventing a new direction - we’re running the play that’s already been called.

The Starting Line: Revival Begins on Campus

This is where the dream started - and where the foundation of the movement still stands.

Before there were leagues or clubs, before we talked about sports complexes or outdoor ministry, there was the simple but radical belief that revival could begin in a public-school hallway.

We believe schools are more than educational institutions - they are mission fields. Every classroom, every weight room, every locker room, every field is a space where God can move. And when student-athletes lead, when coaches live out their faith boldly, and when the Gospel is present on campus, everything changes.

Right now, we’re reaching an estimated 1,500 athletes across our 8 counties and 3 cities, and a growing number of coaches - moving quickly to number in the hundreds - and we’re just getting warmed up.

We’re moving toward a future where:

Every team has a Huddle led by student-athletes
Every program has a trained Character Coach
Every school has a Coaches Huddle led by a spiritually strong leader

Imagine an entire school year where every athlete is being prayed for, every coach is supported, and every team hears the name of Jesus.

This isn’t extracurricular. It’s an eternal strategy.

This is where the mission becomes movement. This is where revival begins.

From the Bleachers to the Bench: Reclaiming Youth Sports for Jesus

We live in a culture where sports can easily consume a family’s calendar, budget, and identity. But what if instead of pulling families away from faith, it pulled them toward it?

What if weekend tournaments became ministry opportunities? What if your child’s soccer coach became their spiritual mentor? What if entire families came to Christ because they showed up for a league that taught more than drills and defense?

That’s the heart of FCA Sports.

We’re building:

Leagues where kids are coached in character, families are engaged in Gospel community, and every game day points people toward Jesus
Clubs like FCA Wrestling where passion meets purpose and athletes grow in faith as much as they do in skill
Mentor-based teams where volunteers are trained not just to coach - but to disciple

This is youth sports reimagined. Not just a schedule filler, but a soul shaper.

Beyond the Gym: Where the Wild Things Worship

Some kids just aren’t drawn to whistles and whiteboards. They come alive in stillness and storms - in wide open places that whisper the glory of God. They’re out there before the sun rises, rod in hand or boots in the dirt, hearts open in a way they may never be indoors. These students may never join a traditional team. But that doesn’t mean they’re not hungry for purpose, for challenge, for truth. And that makes them deeply reachable.

This is where Battlefield FCA Outdoor Sports comes alive.

We’re building a space for the rugged, the quiet, the wild-at-heart to discover Jesus in the beauty and challenge of creation:

Hikes, hunts, fishing tournaments, and camps where mentors walk with students and open the Word under open skies
Shooting sports like trap, skeet, and archery that build discipline, focus, and provide moments for Gospel conversation
Outdoor experiences such as survival training, wilderness navigation, and campfire devotionals where Scripture is lived out in the wild

Imagine a teenager who’s tuned out in church but fully tuned in at dawn, hearing a devotion after reeling in a fish - and realizing for the first time he was created by a Father who sees him.

We’re not just taking students outside. We’re helping them look up.

This is more than recreation. This is restoration. This is the Gospel, unfiltered.

No Sidelines in Heaven: A Vision for Every Athlete

Too often, young people with special needs are offered the sidelines.

But what if they were the centerpiece? What if they were the spark God uses to ignite revival in families, schools, and churches?

Imagine the joy of a young athlete in a wheelchair hearing his name announced as he enters the game - and the Gospel being shared afterward with his family.

All-Abilities ministry is not a charity program. It’s a Kingdom initiative.

We’re developing:

Adaptive leagues where every athlete gets to play, compete, and belong
Unified events where athletes of all abilities play side-by-side, worship side-by-side, and lead side-by-side
Volunteer training to equip the church to see, value, and serve every image-bearer

This is not a feel-good add-on. It’s a front-row seat to what happens when no one is left out of God's story.

One Church, Many Courts: Building a Gospel Network Through Sports

We’ve said it before - the gyms are already built . Churches own the spaces. The question is: what will we do with them?

Right now, churches across our region are running leagues and camps. But most are doing it in isolation. We believe the next wave of sports ministry doesn’t come from building more - it comes from connecting more.

Imagine 20 churches across 3 cities and 8 counties using the same playbook, speaking the same language, training their coaches in discipleship, and reaching families together through neighborhood-based leagues.

That’s the Church Sports Network.

A growing collaboration of churches, equipped by FCA, united to reach their community through sports
A simple plug-and-play model that gives any church the tools and training to start or strengthen a Gospel-centered sports ministry
A unified banner to remind us that we’re better together when Jesus is our coach, captain, and commission

This isn’t about FCA. It’s about the Church being the Church - in sneakers and jerseys.

Altars with Scoreboards: A Dream for Kingdom Complexes

Close your eyes and imagine this:

A young girl shows up to a brand-new sports complex in her community to play in a basketball league. By halftime, she’s heard a devotion from a former college athlete. After the game, her mom gets invited to a moms’ prayer group. Her coach prays with her. A local church sponsors her team. And before the season ends, she accepts Christ and starts bringing her friends.

Now multiply that by thousands.

That’s the vision behind the FCA Sports Complexes - one in each of our four major regions.

Places where leagues are run with integrity , and discipleship happens daily
Facilities where we can host camps, equip volunteers, train staff , and serve families year-round
Buildings that outlive trends and programs , because they are rooted in a mission bigger than any one person or season

These aren’t just buildings. These are altars. These are Gospel-greenhouses.

And we believe they will become hubs of hope, revival, and transformation in our region for generations to come.

Across the Street and Across the World: Our Global Vision

Revival doesn’t stop at county lines - or national borders.

As part of Battlefield FCA’s growing vision, we are stepping boldly into international ministry, specifically through a strategic partnership with Southeast Asia FCA .

Imagine students from Virginia traveling across the globe to serve, disciple, and grow. Imagine Southeast Asian leaders coming to our communities - sharing stories, deepening faith, and strengthening the Body of Christ on both sides of the ocean.

We envision:

Ongoing mission trips to Southeast Asia that raise leaders and deepen perspective
Cross-cultural partnerships that shape our students into global disciple-makers
Opportunities to host international FCA staff and athletes , igniting hearts here at home

This isn’t just outreach. It’s Kingdom family - reaching the world together, shoulder to shoulder .

THE INVITATION

We’re not waiting anymore. We’re moving.

We have the mission: to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

We have the vision: to see it lived out on every field, every trail, every team, every church gym, every league.

But we don’t have it all. Not yet.

We need:

Churches bold enough to say yes
Donors willing to plant seeds in eternal soil
Volunteers who will go to the sidelines, the camps, the weight rooms, the woods
Families who believe Jesus changes everything - and want their kids to know it
Leaders called to join our staff team—driven to disciple, build, and reach through the power of sports

This isn’t a program. It’s a movement. This isn’t a fundraiser. It’s a harvest. This isn’t someone else’s calling. It’s ours. It’s yours.

Every Team. Every School. Every Environment. Every Soul.

Let’s build it.

Here’s how you can jump in:

· Volunteer with Battlefield FCA – Help us disciple the next generation.

· Become a Monthly Supporter – Fuel the mission that’s changing lives.

· Pray with us – Identity in Christ is spiritual warfare. We need covering.

Did this speak to you? Share it on social media and tag us!

Battlefield FCA Thrilled to Announce the 1st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Fishing Tournament

ssmall@fca.org (Scot Small) — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:42:28 GMT

All Anglers Welcome

The Battlefield Fellowship of Christian Athletes is excited to announce the 1st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Fishing Tournament , to be held on April 15, 2023, at Sturgeon Creek Marina on Lake Anna. This tournament is open to all anglers and features two divisions: adult/adult and adult/youth.

"Fishing is more than just a pastime for me, as a long time Bass Angler it's a chance to connect with nature, each other, and share my passion for fishing and faith in Christ”, said Tommy Bailey, Tournament Director. “I am thrilled to be a part of the 1st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Tournament. I look forward to seeing how the Lord will direct this tournament and its outcome to help our anglers, coaches, and athletes.”

We are eager to host the 1st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Fishing Tournament and provide a fun and meaningful event for all. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, we welcome you to join us on the water and make some great memories together."

The tournament will feature a 75/25 payout, with the top finishers in each division receiving cash prizes. In addition, there will be a Big Fish Pot, where anglers can win extra prize money for catching the largest fish of the day.

The tournament is being held in partnership with the Battlefield Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and proceeds from the event will provide needed funding for camp scholarships for student athletes and coaches, hiring new FCA missionary representatives, and provide other resources for ministry.

“Many young people are confused and lost in a sea of uncertainty, facing challenges like never before” , said Scot Small, Metro Director of the Battlefield FCA. “We must be intentional about bringing truth to our young athletes and coaches. Our mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. Funds from events like the 1 ^st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Fishing Tournament empower us reach more with the truth.”

All fishing enthusiasts are invited to come out for a day of competition, camaraderie, and fun on the beautiful waters of Lake Anna.

To Register for the tournament visit: https://www.battlefieldfca.org/fca-bass-fishing-tournament

Contacts:

Scot Small: 540-766-5402
Tommy Bailey: 540-907-5552

Belief Under Fire

When Fear Starts Driving Our Decisions

Fear or Belief?

Leadership, Life, and Ministry: Lessons We’re Still Learning

Focus Is Always Under Attack

Growth Is Messy, Even When We Know Better

Character Is Still the Issue Beneath Every Issue

Obedience Is Harder Than Knowledge

We Are Still Learning How to Ask for Help

The Work Is Worth It Because People Are Worth It

Still in the Middle

One last thing.

The Path No One Was Looking For

That’s why Christmas matters in a way that still unsettles me.

Humanity’s Longest Losing Streak

If you step back far enough, the ache begins to make sense.

The Ache We Try to Decorate at Christmas

When celebration doesn’t quiet the longing underneath it all

When Obedience Makes Life Harder

What Exodus 5 Taught Me About Calling, Discernment, and Leadership

And instead of the situation improving, everything collapses. Pharaoh punishes the people. The people blame Moses.

But here’s the part that always grabs me: God already told Moses this would happen.

Hearing God’s will is one thing. Living through it is another.

1. God didn’t tell Moses to explain that part to the people. God gave Moses specific talking points:

2. Israel lacked the emotional capacity for the “long game.”

1. God teaches Moses that obedience does not guarantee smooth results.

2. God teaches Israel that salvation belongs to Him, not Moses.

3. God ensures deliverance will be unmistakably supernatural.

The Prospective Staff Roadblock

And the same questions Moses asked start flooding their mind:

And here’s the truth that every prospective staff member eventually discovers:

The Leadership Lesson

1. Go to God with honesty, not performance.

2. Remember what God did say, not what you assumed He said.

3. Don’t interpret resistance as rejection.

4. Bring a trusted person into the struggle.

5. Keep stepping in the direction God last confirmed.

Two Audiences. One Message. One Brilliant Leadership Move.

Leadership Lessons From Acts 17: Why Great Leaders Start Where People Actually Are

The Quiet Danger Every Leader Faces

Drift starts small, grows silently, and often shows up only when we finally look up.

Respect for All: Beyond the Field

This week at Fauquier High School,

When the Old Trail Disappears

It’s been more than twenty years, but I still remember it vividly.

Leadership is Selflessness

Hold the Line: Building a Strong Moral Foundation

Facing My Fear: The Courage to Be Authentic

Leadership Jesus-Style: Serve First, Lead Second

Fishing & Focus: Why Battlefield FCA’s Vision Demands Intentionality

�� Ever get caught drifting without realizing it? It happens fast — in fishing and in leadership. Here's why Battlefield FCA is paddling with intentionality every single day...

Beyond Capacity: Rethinking Limits in Light of Christ

The Terror Barrier: Embracing Fear as a Leader

Every leader hits the wall of fear. What you do next determines everything. Here’s what I’ve learned about the Terror Barrier...

This Is the Play That Could Change Everything

There’s a moment in ministry where the vision gets so big, you almost hesitate to say it out loud.

Battlefield FCA Thrilled to Announce the 1st Annual Battlefield FCA Bass Fishing Tournament

All Anglers Welcome

1. God didn’t tell Moses to explain that part to the people.
God gave Moses specific talking points: