Hey hope all is well!! I have been offered the opportunity to serve as a Summer Associate with Philadelphia FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). This is my sixth year being involved with FCA and second time being a Summer Associate in the Philadelphia area. Their love for Christ and ministering to Athletes through various camps in the summer and guidance throughout the year is exactly the reason I am still associated with FCA! I am blessed and am excited to see what the Summer Associate program has to offer for me yet again.

For 11 weeks, Philly FCA staff will help me grow in my relationship with the Lord so that I am equipped to make disciples who make disciples. As staff pours into me, I will have the chance to invest in athletes across the city of Philadelphia through camps and huddles. This will give me another opportunity to grow in faith. I get to learn and be vulnerable in a space where I'm supported while helping me improve my abilities to minister to others.

Home to 1.6 million, Philadelphia is an amazingly diverse city full of beauty, culture, great food, and an insane sports atmosphere. However, it is also a city with the largest opioid crisis in the US, where 23% live below the poverty line, gun violence has increased 43%,the murder rate is up 55%, and only 7% are actively engaged in the local church.

I hope that through God’s help and strength, my admiration for Him and experiences can be used to influence other people in my area who struggle to believe and have faith in Christ. I'm more grateful for God than ever and this is a desperate time for our communities. I want them to know He saves souls and forms consistent values no matter one’s circumstance. As part of my responsibilities as a Summer Associate, I am charged with raising part of my salary for the summer. My goal is to raise a minimum of $3,850 or more before May 15.

Would you invest in me and the coaches and athletes in Philadelphia whom I will be serving this summer? There are two ways you can partner with me and FCA. One you can give online at my.fca.org/PhillySummer and select the “leave a comment box” and put my name in the comment or you can mail a check made out to FCA with my name in the memo line to Kasey Dougherty 1304 Foulkrod Street Philadelphia, PA 19124. Thank you for partnering with FCA and investing in my walk!

Sincerely,

Devon Edwards

Philadelphia Summer Associate