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University of the Cumberlands FCA, 908 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY (2026)

11/15/2024

To Be A Light For Jesus

Camryn Broz, '26, is a center-back on the University of the Cumberlands' Women's soccer team. Camryn got into soccer at a young age because of her parents' passion for sports, which was passed on to her. Her passion for soccer gives her a mission field on campus as she wants to be a light for Christ.

"My mom played soccer growing up until high school, and my dad played basketball at a D1 level, so they had me in sports when I was little. I tried soccer when I was four years old, and it stuck. I played on a recreation team until I was in fifth grade; then, I started to play for a competitive travel team called 'Cincinnati United.' I started playing for a lower team,
then eventually made it to the top team," said Camryn.

During her freshman year of college and high school, women's soccer went to Nationals and won, a first in the history of University of the Cumberland's Women's soccer team. Winning nationals at the beginning of her college experience added intensity for Camryn during her freshman
year.

"I think that college is just a lot more intense. We have so many students from different countries, so seeing the intensity levels and different playing styles is interesting. It was definitely a lot to adjust to. But it made me realize how much I need to show up every day and work hard because it is competitive. We're competitive, but we have fun with it too," said Camryn.

The girls on the team have created a warm and encouraging atmosphere, which helps students adjust to the intensity. Several players on the team have helped create this atmosphere because of their love for the Lord, something Camryn shares with them.

"I grew up in a Christian family, and my grandma is a pastor, so learning from her was amazing. I was kind of an anxious child, which became something I struggled with all my life. I gave my life to Christ the summer before my freshman year of high school. That summer, I went to Camp Christian, and it really hit me how good God is and how much He can help me. I had this moment there where I just knew I needed to go off and pray, so I did. I was like, I'm going to give my all to you, and I just felt this overwhelming feeling of peace," said Camryn.

Camryn's faith and relationship with Jesus became a great comfort to her that coming school year when she dealt with a lot of anxiety about playing on the varsity team. Since that experience, Camryn has grown in her relationship with the Lord, and she now has the opportunity to share the light of Christ with her teammates.

"A lot of girls on the team do believe in God, and some are unsure if God exists, but they are open to it. It's been very eye-opening and educational for me as I am exposed to many different cultures and different mindsets on the team. One thing we do is have a testimony and devotional time with the team every week. It's been really helpful, and it's definitely led many people to Christ. And this year, Samantha, Noah, and I run our team Bible study," said Camryn.

Leading a Bible study has been rewarding to Camryn
as she continues to build and strengthen relationships with her teammates and be a light for Christ.

10/10/2024

Not every game is promised.

Sports ran in Jada Mcavene's DNA, so it was no surprise that she picked up volleyball at a young age. Jada, "26," has been on UC's women's volleyball team for over two years and has learned not to take it for granted because not every game is promised.

"I got involved with volleyball when I was 12 years old, in the 7th grade," said Jada, "My mom played college volleyball, and my dad played college basketball, so I was always encouraged to get involved in many different sports. It is such a blessing to have had the support system I had since such a young age."

Having that support system has been important for Jada because playing volleyball becomes more challenging each year. College especially requires more from her.

"In high school, we would have one 2-hour practice a day, and that was all, but in college, we have weightlifting in the morning, team practice at night for several hours, and traveling hours away each week to play matches. It's much more physically demanding, and time management has become much more relevant," said Jada.

Those haven't been Jada's only challenges throughout her three years in college. During her sophomore year, Jada was injured, and she had knee surgery that following summer.

"The experience has shown me to be grateful for what I have and am capable of because it can all be taken away instantly. I had knee surgery this past July, so my junior volleyball season has been taken away from me, which has been challenging. I cannot wait to return to the court in the spring," said Jada.
Jada's injury has not taken away her joy in life because she knows the core of her identity is in Christ. Her life changed before sophomore year when she gave her life to the Lord.

"I was involved in YoungLife in high school but did not truly know the Lord until May 2023," she explained. "The Lord met me where I was, in my despair of depression and anxiety, struggling quite badly with mental health issues. His presence was undeniable, and I knew I had to surrender everything at that moment and give my whole life to Jesus."

When she returned to college that following August, Jada was surrounded by believers who mentored her to help her grow in her relationship with Jesus and her identity in Him. Through that, she learned how to give God the glory on and off the court as she struggled with her injury.

"I had to realize that my ability to play college
volleyball was a gift from God and not culminated in my own power. He deserves the glory. I give God the glory by being the hands and feet of Jesus, treating my teammates as Jesus would, and showing them the love of God. On and off the court, I like to make sure each of my teammates feels loved and knows how worthy they are. They have a future and a hope found in Jesus," said Jada.

As Jada grows in her relationship with the Lord, she has found a Bible verse that she remembers in times of need.

"Psalm 34:4 says, 'I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Personally, every time I have sought the Lord, He has heard and answered me in some fashion," said Jada. "He is reliable and the wisest counsel. He gives me strength in my sport, and no matter my fears or anxiety that day, he will get me through them."
Jada and her team are in the midst of a busy volleyball season, with their next game at Georgetown College on October 14th. Watch online and support Jada and her team!

09/30/2024

Do everything for the Lord.

Job Matossian ‘26 didn’t begin his sports career as a football player but as a soccer player. In fifth grade, he started kicking field goals on the soccer team and then began playing competitively the next grade. Each year comes with a new level of competition and pressure, but Job reminds himself through the pressures that what he does, he does for the Lord.

“In college, everybody is bigger and gets faster. Middle school is not quite as competitive, and high school isn’t as demanding, but you are here on a college scholarship. You’re signed to come here, so there’s a lot more that’s expected of you, and the intensity will go up as well,” said Job.

He has to navigate the intensity of college-level football and adjust to a new team. The football team has over 150 players from all different walks of life and with different personalities. For Job, it’s an opportunity to understand different cultures and share the light of Christ.

“On this campus, we have so many different countries represented. There are a ton of different backgrounds and cultures on the team. Being around 150 guys who are different from one another is difficult, but it’s also a really big opportunity to mesh with people and have a common ground in football,” said Job.
He has not navigated this alone, as his community has encouraged him and shown him the light of Christ. Job joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in middle school and continued through high school, making him eager to find that same community here.

“I met Cameron Kinsey, Alex Doty, and Matt Plementosh, who helped me get plugged into different events that were going on and just get out of my room. I didn’t have much going on early in freshman year because I was in my room and didn’t meet a lot of people, but as soon as I got plugged in, that’s when I started getting involved and got the chance to serve in different ways,” said Job.

Being involved in FCA and his church has helped Job focus on the Lord and how to live like the Lord. Job models his actions and words on scripture.

“I go back to Colossians 3:23, which says you do everything for the Lord and to glorify God first and foremost. In my sport, I am there to do the best I can, but most importantly, I’m here to glorify the Lord and use the abilities He’s blessed me with to play football,” said Job.

For an athlete, their sport can become their entire life. Having practice every day and playing games all the time can easily take over their identity and mind space. For Job, he must continually remind himself that his identity is not in his sport or how well he plays, but in the Lord.

“Something that helps me prepare for a game is to tell myself that my identity is not in my sport. My identity is in Christ. That doesn’t shy me away from trying to prepare as best as I can for a game or something, but I don’t place my whole value on myself and in that sport because that’s not my end goal. My end goal is to glorify God. I’m more thankful for my ability to play this sport than trying to complete my identity in that sport,” said Job.

Football season is in full swing, with the next home game on October 12 at 2:30 in the afternoon. If you want to support Job and his team, show up to the game and cheer them on! FCA is a great opportunity to help encourage and pray for the UC sports teams on campus.

09/19/2024

Check out this FCA highlight of basketball player, Casey Coleman:

Basketball is a tool the Lord has given me.

Casey Coleman, ‘25, was in kindergarten when she first picked up a basketball, and since then, the game has become a big part of her life. Her parents’ basketball careers pulled her to play the sport, where the Lord gave her a tool to share His glory.
“Basketball has been a very big part of my life. My parents both played basketball, and my mother wanted me to be very active as I grew up, so I tried basketball. I was in kindergarten when I played for this little league in Berea and fell in love with it, and the next year, I was playing in the little league. I played middle school ball with sixth and seventh graders by fourth grade. My mom coached me during elementary school and early middle school,” said Casey.

A few years after Casey started playing competitively, the Lord began working in her heart to bring her to Him. A teammate invited her to church, and Casey’s heart began to change.

“Going to church was never something my family and I did growing up, but moving to Rock Castle changed that. I met this girl on the basketball team, and we became super close friends. She started sending me Bible verses and inviting me to church. But I would find any excuse not to go until. Eventually, I thought she would get off my back if I went. The Pastor was saying things that I didn’t really understand, but I was intrigued, and I knew I wanted to come back,” said Casey.

Around the time she started attending church, her parents began emphasizing their need to be back in church, and they began attending church together. She gave her life to Christ in her freshman year of high school, but her faith was tested that next summer when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After treatment and surgery, Casey was officially cancer-free, and the entire process changed her perspective on her relationship with the Lord.

“When people would ask me who I was, I would tell them I’m a basketball player instead of saying I’m a child of God. Then I got the diagnosis of cancer in 2022 that I had cancer; it showed me that basketball doesn’t last forever. I had to ask myself, who was I after basketball ended? The diagnosis helped me understand that basketball is not my life. It’s a tool the Lord has given me, but it’s not life,” said Casey.
Casey has taken her position on the basketball team and used it as a platform to be bold for the Lord and love those around her. After every game, the basketball team prayed together, and Casey asked the opposing team's coach or player to pray with them.

“It was a role that I was asked to do, and win or lose, we were able to pray with them, pray for their hearts, and praise Him for allowing us to get through the game. When girls would get hurt, I had an opportunity to pray with those girls. It has allowed me to connect and to plant a seed. Now, we have teams and coaches who know that we will pray for them intentionally, and they send us prayer requests. We’ve made our identity that we love the Lord,” said Casey.

The Lord has given Casey the ability and knowledge of basketball as a tool to share His light and love with others. This year, Casey has stepped back from the court, is the student assistant for the women’s basketball team, and has the opportunity to encourage the girls on the team.

“I’m up with the team at six o’clock in the morning, but it’s a different role. I’m the encourager. I’m the pusher. I’m behind the scenes saying, ‘I know what the coach wants from me and wants you to do. Here’s how you’re gonna do it. It’s been rewarding because it's such peace of where I’m supposed to be,” said Casey.

Casey’s senior year is being spent in student teaching, but the Lord has given her opportunities and resources to begin looking to coach basketball at a school she will teach.

05/04/2024

Our last, but certainly not least, 2024 Senior Spotlight is TJ Huber! TJ has been an anchor for the FCA Leadership team. TJ is widely respected and looked up to, his fellow FCA leader voted him to be their Captain this school year. He is a spiritual leader on the wrestling team and will give you the shirt of his back. TJ is selfless, leads by example, and is disciplined in all things he does! Congratulations TJ!

05/03/2024

Our next 2024 Senior Spotlight is Lauryn Purda! Lauryn has been involved with many groups on campus, including Theta Alpha Kappa, the Honors Society for Missions & Ministry. If you’ve ever been to a UC sporting event, you’ve probably heard Lauryn’s voice! She’s been a faithful leader for FCA and will be greatly missed on campus. Congratulations!

05/02/2024

Our third 2024 Senior Spotlight is Beatriz de Souza! Bia has been a rockstar on the leadership team. She's an encouragement to those on the track team, other Ambassadors in admissions, and incoming students she gives tours to! The Lord has big things planned for Bia! Congratulations!

05/01/2024

Our second 2024 Senior Spotlight is Molly Evans! During her time at UC Molly has invested time in the cheer and dance team, at the admissions office, and is willing to serve in any way that is needed. We cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for Molly. Congratulations, Molly!

04/30/2024

Our first 2024 Senior Spotlight is Ashlyn Liddle! Ashlyn is a spiritual leader on the track team and has the biggest heart for those around her. We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do in her life and how He is going to use her. Congratulations, Ashlyn!

04/29/2024

As 2024 wraps up, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to our seniors. They have been integral to bringing an FCA Chapter back to Cumberlands. We would not be here without their dedication and hard work.

To celebrate their achievements, they were rewarded with their Red Sweaters. They can wear these sweaters with pride, knowing they were ambassadors not only for FCA but, more importantly, for Jesus Christ during their time at UC.

These seniors were the first to receive these Red Sweaters, which will be given to each senior class before they graduate. The tradition started with them but will live on for years to come!

If you see Ashlyn, Bia, TJ, Molly, or Lauryn, congratulate them!
Be on the lookout this week for a further spotlight on each of these wonderful individuals.

THANK YOU, SENIORS!

02/15/2024

Come out tonight and support the Pats!

Plus if you can shoot the rock.. sign up!

02/13/2024

Are you ACTUALLY going to be studying?
On a THURSDAY? We don't believe you.

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