St. Michael-Albertville Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Full Force.

The largest Christian sports organization in America has a group in St. Michael-Albertville and growing like mad.

"We had close to 35 kids the other night," Jake Vanada, West Metro FCA director said, "it's great to see so many kids wanting to participate."

The purpose and theme is simple; impact and influence students to live Godly lives. "We just want to help make strong athletes live Godly lives with values and morals," Vanada said, "and connecting athletes with coaches and teachers who believe the same thing as them is one way to do it."

The St. Michael-Albertville FCA group has been around since 2008, Vanada became the West Metro director in 2007, taking over the program for some 18 schools throughout the northwest suburbs. The group meets every other Monday evening at homes of athletes or coaches.

"It's truly a student-run group," Vanada said.

coaches involved include Darek Dewey, Greg Greeno and Scott Bauer.

It's not uncommon for high school students to feel as though they are the only ones who believe what they believe or "not think any of their friends go to church like them when so many in the STMA community are going to churches outside of STMA," Vanada said. "The kids come and they look around and realize, 'Oh, you too?' It helps connect them to each other."

Boys' soccer coach and high school science teacher Dewey feels similar to Vanada, "this is important because it helps kids make connections with other students who share a common faith and common hope in the good news of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us."

Students not only grow in their faith and connections with classmates and fellow athletes but they also grow in other character traits. "This is about athletes taking their faith beyond just Sunday mornings and allowing it to impact the way they conduct themselves in school and in sports. The goal is to increase confidence, competitiveness and character by doing everything for the glory of God," Dewey said.

The group meets every other Monday at what are called "huddles." They play games, eat food and study the Bible. Students from 9th to 12th grade in all different sports are involved and encouraged to join. If students are interested in joining they can check in with Dewey, Bauer or Greeno for more information.

"We hope to to provide friendship, hope, and encouragement for anyone who attends one of our huddles," Dewey said.

"Athletes set the tone of the school," Vanada said, "we want that to be the right tone and direction."