A typical work day is not very typical for Jackie Taylor. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative is practically all over the place. She could be attending a Bible study for coaches at 7 a.m. or taking in a sporting event across town in the late afternoon to support athletes in her program. It can be crazy and hectic with weird hours and emotional ups and downs. If it isn’t apparent by talking with her, ask Taylor how she feels about her job.
“Oh my gosh, I love it,” she said with unbridled enthusiasm.
After spending 18 years in marketing for Cascade Hills Church in Columbus, Georgia, Taylor made the decision to move into a new vocation a little over two years ago. She said she felt the calling to become more involved with young athletes after volunteering as a team chaplain for a local high school softball team. Former FCA director Marty Durden approached Taylor about the possibility of her coming on board with the West Central Georgia Chapter.
“I had been feeling this need to have more of an impact in a one-on-one kind of way with these high school athletes, and then when Marty asked me about it, I just felt like it was meant to be,” Taylor said.
The reality of becoming an employee with the organization didn’t materialize until Lamar Weaver, current director of the local FCA chapter, offered Taylor the job of area representative for female coaches and athletes in December of 2014. Her primary role is to minister to female coaches and athletes within the area served by the West Central Georgia chapter.
High school sports have become more diverse in the past two decades, and an overwhelming number of females are taking part in athletics. With those increases in participation, it became apparent that female athletes and coaches would benefit from having a female representative in the FCA organization.
According to Taylor, the vision of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes “is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.” Female coaches and athletes have been included in FCA events, attending camps and Huddles (campus groups), but sometimes there are unique needs to this group that are best addressed by someone of their own gender. As a team chaplain for a female sport, Taylor’s eyes were open to the needs of expanding the role of a female FCA representative.
“Being a team chaplain helps you know 20 athletes,” she said. “I love the idea of going into more individual sports to reach more athletes.”
At the present time, Taylor is still working on getting into local schools to set up programs and get to know coaches. Not all female sports are coached by females. Many local sports for females have male coaches heading up the programs. Taylor is trying to establish relationships with coaches of female sports, which she hopes will lead to setting up Huddles, Bible studies, and opportunities to minister to the young women involved in athletic programs and to be an encourager to female coaches.
“Female coaches have great responsibilities just like male coaches,” Taylor said. “But there are fewer of them, and they don’t often have someone in their own school to support them. This can be a safe place to express ideas.”
When Taylor receives permission to meet with athletes, she first advises the coach to inform parents of the FCA involvement. Then Taylor assesses how best to establish relationships. So far, she has been able to start a Bible study for coaches at one high school and a middle school once a week before school begins.
She also has contact in other ways with athletes and coaches at a couple of middle schools and another high school. Taylor’s involvement may be speaking to a group or team meeting, but she is open to options that would be the best fit for that sports team.
“We don’t force anything on them; it’s totally volunteer,” she said with a laugh. “We tell the coaches to be sure and tell everyone they don’t get extra playing time or anything if they attend.”
As an FCA area representative, Taylor said no one has told her, “No,” when she asks to visit with the coaches and explain her ministry. There are many schools in the area without FCA sponsors or Huddles, and she would like to have FCA programs in all schools.
“To see the ones out there taking a stand, that is so powerful,” she said. “We are hope dealers.”
For more information about FCA or its ministry to female coaches and athletes, contact Jackie Taylor, 706-412-0359, or email her, jackietaylor@fca.org. Information about upcoming events or summer camps may be found at westcentralgafca.org.
Columbus Valley/April-May 2017
FCA Area Representative for Female Coaches and Athletes
Jackie Taylor
Columbus, GA
Written by: Beth Welch
Photos courtesy of Jackie Taylor
FCA Seeks to Minister to Female Coaches and Athletes
