Purpose Beyond Performance

Fellowship of Christian Athletes event highlights focus on perspective and mission

Athletes from the Ohio State University joined with students from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Northwest Columbus, on April 13 at Darby High School.

Gabe Simón is the director of FCA, Northwest Columbus, serving student athletes that include those in Hilliard, Dublin, and Plain City.

“I knew God called on me for ministry while I was a senior (at Hilliard Davidson High School),” said Simón, he resisted, he said, because he knew it is not a high-earning vocation.

But while a student at Columbus State Community College, he said, “I kept feeling a tug on my heart and I knew I had to go into ministry.”

While job searching, Simón said he saw a posting by the FCA for a director, and he applied.

“Here I am, I started a year ago,” said Simón, 23, and a 2020 Davidson graduate who arranged the event April 13 at Darby High School.

Among the students there was 14-year-old Tristan Grossman, an eighth-grade student at Heritage Middle School, who hopes to play baseball and basketball for the Panthers as a freshman at Darby.

Grossman, whose grandfather has introduced him to Rock City Church, said he is further moved by athletes who have spiritual relationships with God.

Among the OSU athletes at the event were Ben Mayer, a lacrosse player; Mallory Gregory, a gymnast, and Caleb Downs, Lorenzo Styles, and Sonny Styles, from the football team.

Mayer, 21, is a senior from Tampa, Fla.

Mayer shared that his faith helps him through adversity, including recovering from injury and performing as an athletes and a student.

But Mayer is steadfast about how it is all possible.

“My identity is not about the sport I play, but my relationship with Christ,” Mayer said.

To learn more about the FCA, visit https://www.nwohiofca.org/