Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

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Wildflower

May 1-3, 2009

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FCA Endurance was once again blessed by our partnership with Tri California this at Wildflower Triathlon! From May 1-3, eleven Teammates (plus friends and family) from around the county converged on the event to minister and race. Thanks to the great atmosphere and abundant opportunities provided by Terry and Betsy Davis, owners of Tri California, our presence was felt.

Our ministry presence consisted of an expo booth right along the finish line where we were able to discuss FCA, FCA Endurance, Competing for Christ, and “Why Do You Race?” We held an athlete’s prayer service on Friday afternoon, and despite the rain, had a turnout of 20+/- athletes. One of our most highly recognized and appreciated, at least as communicated to us, services was the placement of inspiring and challenging signs along some of the difficult sections of the challenging bike and run courses. These efforts, plus the blessing of fellowship through serving and camping together blessed everyone who attended.

Our efforts were complimentary to the other ministry taking place that weekend by Tri California, including Christian music over the PA all weekend, pre-race invocations at the races, and a church service on Sunday morning.

In addition to our ministry presence, we had athletes encouraging and inspiring participants through competing for Christ. On Saturday, we had two pros compete, Kirk Nelson and Brad Seng, both from CO. Pr. Dan Perkins PR’d the long course, placing 5th in his age group. Our long course relay team of Troy Soares (CA – swim/bike) and Chris Anderson (MN – run) also placed 5th in the male open division. Also competing for Christ in long course were Teammates Justin Rose (CA), Dave and Crystal Wilcox (CA), Reynold Lewke (CA), and Steven Ditter. On Sunday, Robin Soares, Marilyn Watson, and Reynold’s three children all competed. Of note was Marilyn’s race. She was a last minute addition to the race as a Teammate who wanted to serve with us. Despite not training for the event, she took on the challenging course, and while it stretched her significantly, she kept leaning on the Lord and endured to the finish!

One of the other blessing of the weekend was the ability for Chris Anderson, FCA-E National Director, to share with local high school and college athletes about sport specific ministry and how to use their God-given passion and abilities as a platform for Jesus within their teams. These student athletes are members of local FCA chapters, and they attend the triathlon to serve athletes the nightly pasta dinners. It was a great evening, and the student athletes were excited to learn about triathlon and challenged with how to leverage their current situations for God’s glory.

This year's Iron Prayer Service again took place near the CA 70.3 Expo on the beautiful sands of Oceanside.  It was an intimate group that gathered to worship the Lord in song, hear some awesome speakers and to spend time praying for each other.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SERVICE

The Prayer Service Friday afternoon was well attended, despite the rain dripping through the grandstands covering.

Troy Soares

FCA Endurance Iron Prayer

Troy Soares was MC and welcomed the group to a time of refocusing on what's more important than the upcoming triathlons the next 2 days. He introduced Chris Anderson, FCA Endurance Director.

Chris Anderson

FCA Endurance National Director

Accomplished Triathlete

Chris described the FCA Endurance team and the success it has had at really helping Christian athletes to fellowship together. He told a story of a great example at the recent Boston Marathon. During the race, FCA Endurance teammates Dan Cadriel & Dan Britton met each other by noticing their yellow FCA-E racing singlets. They were able to pray and encourage each other while racing. Then, later during the marathon, Dan Britton went on to meet another FCA Endurance teammate, Marty Infonte, and was able to fellowship and be closer to God during the race thanks to the mutual encouragement. It was exciting hearing Chris tell these stories and others about FCA's impact, through Christ, at races across the nation.

Dan Perkins

Head Pastor at Twin Oaks Church in San Jose

Accomplished Ironman

Troy then introduced Dan Perkins, pastor of Twin Oaks Church in San Jose, and Hawaii Ironman finisher.

Dan gave his testimony about how God called him to be a pastor. He heard clearly from God that he was to "Love my people". With such a powerful start he bounded forward but after a time felt disconnected again from his significant purpose. That's when, at an unpredictable moment, and the end of a conference, he hear another pastor speak right to him to "Love God's people". Thankful that God would reaffirm so clearly his purpose he went out lifted up but unsure how to really meet this call. He saw a parking attendant and casually thanked him for his service. The man was shocked and described a thankless job which he had never been appreciated for and considered ending but now was so encouraged.

Dan made us understand that we need to be ready for God's calling that can come at any time. And that we all have a job to "Love my people". We often need encouragement at the race, but so do others. If we remember to encourage those around us, and love God's people... by doing so we're less likely to get overly self-focused... as us triathletes tend to do.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE

The Worship Service was on a beautiful morning before the Olympic Distance Triathlon was set to start. It was at the expo stage, front-and-center to all the athletes preparing for the race. A terrific young worship band from Cal Poly University drew a large crowd right from the start. We could feel God's presence in this place.

Dennis McFadden

Pastor at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey

Triathlete

Denise McFadden, triathlete and pastor at nearby Shoreline Community Church, started us laughing right off the bat with his all-too-typical story of getting too absorbed in the sport. He would post his competitor's results on the board and stare at them each day as he trained harder and harder for the next confrontation. When his wife asked, "Isn't triathlon supposed to be fun?" he was surprised with his answer, "It's not fun, it hurts, it's a race". He went on to tell so well about how so many of us lack a true peace about things. But instead worry and toil in vain. He went through Phil 4:4-13, about "the peace that transcends all understanding". He commented how we have to hear things many times before it sinks in. I had recently heard a study that showed people needed to hear something 22 times before it becomes unforgettable. Denise had many great comparisons that meshed with the triathlete mentality, but also captivated all the supporters and volunteers that were in attendance. After the service, Chris Anderson and Troy Soares met the founder of Multisport Ministries, another Christian organization ministering to the Triathlon field.

Thanks to...