Four dozen boxes of donuts and two lofty bags filled with Chick-fil-A draw students in, but the supporting community keeps the group growing. Every Thursday at 7:20 a.m., NC’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) holds a meeting where the students play games, eat breakfast, gather in prayer circles and listen to both student and pastor sermons along with testimonies. The expanding club also volunteers within the community to spread love.
“It’s a great environment, there’s a lot of freshmen, a lot of new people, some older people and friends. Overall, it’s a great environment because nobody’s tired, everyone’s excited and wants to be there. I was kind of scared at first because there are so many people, but once I realized what we did I became less scared and much more comfortable. I keep coming back because it’s influential, I enjoy hearing others’ perspectives and what they have to say on Christianity,” magnet freshman Israel Gallant said.
While the club skews toward athletes, all students, competitors or not, receive a welcome with open arms. The club provides a space for building a faith community around like-minded students who share similar stresses and experiences. FCA works to spread and grow faith as a group through weekly meetings and volunteer opportunities. Last year, NC students attended a Pictures with Santa event where they helped out by taking pictures and playing with the children. During the event, parents and peers thanked NC’s volunteers and asked about the club, allowing FCA to help in the community and share their faith. The club also participates in events such as Faith on the Field, where members appear in front of a crowd at Hillgrove High School and share their testimonies alongside other students from the West Cobb area.
Outside of volunteering in the community, NC’s FCA works to unite like-minded students. Students from all grades, sports and backgrounds attend the meetings with one goal: to learn or grow in their Christian faith. The club inspires fellowship among students, not only through faith-inspired activities, but also through games. Before the group engages in prayer groups or a sermon, students play Sharks and Minos, Simon Says, Captains Deck or a multitude of other amusing group antics. The activities not only set the meetings off on a positive note, but they also wake students up and cultivate relationships among kids who otherwise would not interact. Creating friendships allows additional students to hear about the club through word of mouth, encouraging them to attend meetings and get involved. Since NC’s 2024-2025 school year, the club has grown exponentially in members, starting from under 30 last year and jumping to over 70 students at the meeting August 14, 2025.
“To me, the club means a lot. It’s not just about building a relationship with people around the club, but also a relationship with Jesus, filling me and others with gratitude, helping me appreciate trials and errors. I believe others should join because it helps students get to know Jesus. My favorite thing about the club is how Coach David [David Bortolazzo] expresses himself, and I’m really grateful to have someone like him to lead in the group,” junior Roger Ho said.
Peering into the auxiliary gym may seem intimidating due to the vast number of students sitting inside, but as Gallant explains, once a student walks in and joins the meeting, they become eagerly welcomed and embraced. Part of the welcoming environment comes from the leadership team, which contains 10 dedicated students along with Bortolazzo, the huddle leader. The leadership works together to plan and host outstanding meetings for all who attend. The team also manages the club’s Instagram to publicize information and keep students up to date. The leadership team seeks out speakers, in particular, pastors from local churches or students and teachers who feel the need to share a message.
FCA works to create a loving Christian community among students and faculty at NC. FCA primarily targets Christians or athletes, but the club accepts any students, regardless of their hobbies or faith. Through weekly meetings and volunteering in the community, FCA continues to grow into an influential club at NC.
