What is SMI?

The Sports Ministry Institute (SMI) is a training branch of Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Colorado (FCA). This program is a 10 month faith-stretching opportunity with a subsequent in-field ministry placement as an FCA Area Representative. SMI is ideal for Christian athletic leaders who want to pursue the call to full-time sports ministry. The SMI process is designed to empower young men and women who seek to lead their generation toward Jesus Christ through the venue of sports.


What SMI does?

Sports Ministry Institute provides an in-depth, hands-on training platform for Christian athletic leaders to go into full time sports ministry within FCA Colorado. Upon successful SMI program completion, SMI graduates are placed in strategic locations as FCA Area Representatives to enable and allow them to fulfill the Great Commission within their sphere of influence.


How SMI Works

FCA Colorado has thoughtfully developed and field-tested a "4-Quarter Program" that empowers the next generation of athletic leaders to get "off the bench" and "into the game." This leadership training is designed to build godly relationships using life-on-life experiences. Over the past five years, Sports Ministry Institute has concentrated on three key pillars of learning which have been made available to the students.

1. Classroom Training--a safe and open atmosphere where students work with experienced FCA staff to learn the "game plan" for impacting sports ministry in Colorado.
2. "Hands-on" Experience--an integrated approach where students are given responsibilities in local FCA ministry opportunites and Colorado events.
3. Mentoring and Family Time--a home away from home setting provided through one-on-one mentoring with SMI and FCA leaders, coupled with our FCA family get-aways and retreats.

The Problem

In today's society, the youth and adult sports culture is out of control with a "win at all cost" mentality. This is evident as seen through increased performance-enhancing drug use, student and parental violence, inappropriate language, abuse, greed and pride. While sports play a dominant role in young peoples' lives, there remains a tremendous void of godly athletic leaders who can portray and instill the proper values, integrity and character for this impressionable audience.

The Solution

Sports Ministry Institute is designed to provide young athletic leaders with a relevant sports ministry education and practical ministry experience working with coaches and athletes. The SMI hands-on training and well-tested curriculum are based on the following core objectives:

  1. Develop cross-cultural, multi-ethnic, spiritual leaders who can unite people of sport in order to build a spiritual community in God's kingdom.
  2. Train leaders in a sports ministry model that can be reproduced in college, high school, middle school, club sports, youth leagues, in the marketplace and on the mission field.
  3. Provide ministry placement opportunities as Area Representatives within the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Colorado.
  4. Grow strong leaders through the following key methods:

- Building Godly relationships with influential sports-focused student leaders
- Discipleship and mentorship training
- Spiritual leadership development
- Evangelism training