​✝️ How to Start an FCA Huddle at Your High School (Even If You're Not an Athlete)

​You don’t have to wait to make a difference—start now.
You might be one student, but God can use you to spark something amazing. Imagine being the one who brings light, hope, and real connection to your school. When you start a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle, you create a space where students can be real—where faith isn’t something you hide, but something that brings you together. It’s more than just a club—it’s a movement of students who want to grow in Christ, encourage one another, and make their schools better from the inside out.

Whether you’re an athlete or not, this is for you. If you’ve ever wished school felt more meaningful, if you’ve wanted stronger friendships rooted in something real, or if you’ve longed to be part of something fun and full of purpose—this is your chance. Huddles are simple to start, easy to lead, and honestly, a blast. You’ll laugh, pray, grow, and build friendships that last. You don’t have to be perfect—just willing. So why not let God use you to create a space where faith comes alive and lives are changed?
Why not you? Why not now?

And here’s the best part:
It’s simple. It’s legal. And it’s not just for athletes.

🚀 What Is an FCA Huddle Anyway?
An FCA Huddle is a student-led Christian group supported by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It’s a space to grow your faith, build friendships, and bring Jesus into the everyday life of school. FCA has existed since 1954 and empowers students just like you to take the lead—whether during lunch, before school, after school, or even after practice.

🏐 For Athletes: Faith + Teammates = Impact
If you’re an athlete, you already know how much influence happens in the locker room, on the field, or on the court. FCA is designed to meet you right there. Imagine leading a quick huddle after practice where teammates gather for 10 minutes to pray, read a verse, or talk about real life. It’s powerful. You don’t have to be a Bible expert—just be willing to invite, share, and love like Jesus. FCA even has team-specific devotionals and resources to help you lead confidently.

🤝 For Every Student: It’s Not Just About Sports
Not an athlete? No problem. FCA Huddles welcome everyone. Students who love music, drama, robotics, art, or just want to walk out their faith--you’re invited and essential. You can start a huddle at your lunch table, in a classroom before school, or even virtually. It’s all about creating a space where people feel seen, known, and encouraged in Christ.

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Start an FCA Huddle at Your School

1. Pray About It
   Ask God for wisdom, boldness, and the right people to partner with. This is His idea—you’re just stepping into it.
2. Talk to an FCA Staff Member
   Go to www.fca.org and click “Find Staff.” Reach out to your local rep—they’ll walk you through everything and provide training, resources, and mentorship.
3. Get School Permission
   Talk to your principal or a supportive teacher about meeting during non-instructional time (lunch, before or after school). Thanks to the Equal Access Act, it’s 100% legal for students to lead religious groups in public schools.
4. Find a Faculty Sponsor
   Most schools require a staff member to be present. Ask a teacher, coach, or guidance counselor who loves Jesus—they’ll likely say yes.
5. Start Small and Simple
   Invite a few friends, choose a regular time and place, and keep it casual. You can share a verse, talk about a devotion, or use FCA's Huddle Up Guides and free app for ideas and devotional resources.Find the Huddle Up Guides here: FCA Huddle Resources.
6. Promote It
   Make posters, use group chats, wear FCA gear, or just spread the word with your voice. Your passion will draw people in.
7. Lead with Love
   You don’t have to be perfect. Be real. Be open. Let others share. Pray together. Celebrate what God is doing—one huddle at a time.

📣 Ideas for When and Where to Huddle

• During lunch at your table
• After practice with your team
• Before school in a classroom
• In the gym or locker room
• After school in the library or courtyard
• Virtually with friends from other schools

🙌 You Were Born for This
Starting an FCA Huddle isn’t about being the loudest or most spiritual. It’s about showing up, being available, and letting Jesus work through you. Students around the country are already doing this—you can too.

Your school is a mission field, and your voice matters. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. God might be calling you.

Ready to start?

• Visit www.fca.org
• Talk to your coach or youth pastor
• Download the FCA App for free devotionals and leadership tips
• Follow FCA on Instagram @thefcateam

📊 Key High School Behavior Statistics (CDC YRBS 2021)

​💬 Mental Health & Emotional Well-being

• 42% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
• 22% seriously considered suicide, with higher rates among girls and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Rates of anxiety and depression continue to rise post-pandemic.

📵 Digital & Social Media Use

• Students spend an average of 7+ hours per day on screens outside of schoolwork.
• Increased screen time is linked to lower sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety.

🚬 Substance Use

• 30% of students reported having tried alcohol.
• 11% used marijuana in the past 30 days.
• 3% currently use e-cigarettes—a significant drop from past years due to tighter regulations and education.

❤️ Relationships & Sexual Behavior

• 30% of students reported being in a romantic or sexual relationship.
• 40% had ever had sexual intercourse, though this number has been steadily declining since the early 2000s.

🎓 School Engagement

• Nearly 1 in 3 students feel disconnected from school.
• Students who report feeling “connected to their school and peers” are far less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

​
🧠 Faith, Hope & Resilience

• Students involved in faith-based clubs or positive peer groups report:
  • Higher academic motivation
  • Lower risk of depression
  • Greater resilience in tough situations

The Equal Access Act

The Act states that if a secondary public school receives Federal funds and has a limited open forum, it must provide equal access to all non-curricular clubs during non-instructional time. Schools cannot prohibit such clubs unless they "materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school."⁠​

The act has three stipulations:  
1.  It cannot discriminate "on the basis of religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings"
2. The club has to be student-initiated and student managed.
3.  Schools are only allowed to restrict the club to maintain order and to protect the safety and well-being of students and faculty. However school officials do have the right to entirely shut down all non-curricular clubs.  Prohibiting every single club including the football team would constitute closing the limited open forum and the Equal Access Act would no longer apply and require equal access to all clubs. 
​

What does equal access mean?

The school has to provide equal access to all non-curricular clubs.  If at least one or more curricular clubs exist the school has established a limited open forum and must provide equal access to all facilities used by one or more of the clubs such as: classrooms, copy machines, intercoms, club fairs, bulletin boards, school newspapers, yearbook pictures or any other benefit provided to a secular club⁠1.
​

​What is a secondary school?

​​State law, not federal law,  defines which grades are considered secondary schools.  Grades 9-12 are always included.  However, “It is unlikely that the Equal Access Act applies to so-called "middle" schools⁠2.”
​

What is a student-initiated club?

The club has to be started and controlled by students not adults. Neither school employees nor outside people can initiate or maintain the club. Students can invite outside speakers but those speakers cannot be regulars or come more often than about once per month.  However, students can meet as often as they want with a mentor outside of school who helps and instructs them how to successfully run a club.  Students may choose their club leaders restricting certain leadership roles to their beliefs. “However, general membership probably cannot be limited⁠3.”
​

What is a non-curricular club?

The Supreme court stated that a non-curricular club is "any student group that does not directly relate to the body of courses offered by the school⁠4."  For example chess clubs, drama clubs and community service clubs, etc. fall into that category.
​

What is non-instructional time?

"Non-instructional time⁠5" is any time when no instruction takes place.  Such as in the morning before classroom instruction begins or in the afternoon when instruction is over.  Lunches and free periods are also considered non-instructional time.  Generally, if other clubs are meeting during certain times the christian club has the same privilege.  
​

Can the school deny a christian club if the school has not created a "limited open forum"?

Yes. Any club using the Equal Access Act can only be started if the school board has a policy to agree to have a limited open forum.  If at least one other non curricular club exists in the school, the school has already created a limited open forum and needs to allow the christian club as well.  

However a christian club can also be established  in this case via the First Amendment Rights which does not need a limited open forum.
​

Can a school regulate when and where the club meets?

The school has the authority to set a reasonable time and place.  However it must not discriminate and must apply those guidelines to all clubs equally.
​

Do I need a teacher sponsor for the Club?

The Equal Access Act does not mandate school sponsors.  Therefore  sponsorship is determined by individual school policies.  If the school does require club sponsors it’s important to know that sponsors of other clubs are allowed to participate in the club.  However the act stipulates that the sponsors of christian clubs can only attend in a non-participatory function. This is to prevent the appearance that the school is trying to establish religion thus violating the establishment clause.
​

Can students disseminate flyers about their club or announce the club meeting on the intercom?

Yes, christian clubs have the same rights as other clubs to promote and invite other students to the club.  This does not constitute an official sponsorship by the school which would violate the establishment clause.  If schools want to avoid the appearance of a possible establishment violation they can add a disclaimer to the bottom of the flyer or at the end of the announcement stating that this activity is not officially endorsed by the school.
​

What if the school is fearful of violating the establishment clause?

 Even though the Mergens case mentioned below ruled that a christian club cannot violate the establishment clause some school officials are still fearful.  Especially when students exercise their right to send out flyers or make an announcement on the intercom. In that case the school can have the club add a disclaimer at the bottom of the flyer stating that this is not a school endorsed event.  The same can be stated after the intercom announcement. This alleviates any fears school officials may have.
​

Can outside speakers or community leaders speak at meetings?

 Non-students ”may not direct, conduct, control or regularly attend activities of student groups⁠6." Speakers may infrequently come to meetings if invited by the students and if the school does not prohibit such guests in other clubs. However, school administration is allowed to prohibit outside speakers in a christian club if they prohibit it in all non-curricular school clubs.⁠