Bowden to speak at annual Gulf Coast FCA banquet

LAKEWOOD RANCH — River Club resident Jason Golden is consistently working with area coaches and athletes to change the world one small step a time.

Since becoming the Gulf Coast Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coaches ministry director, Golden has learned to respect that everyone is on a different life journey. As a result, their approaches to sports and their faiths may be completely different — even though they share the same beliefs on the field as teammates or as a coaching staff.

“As a whole, if we were to judge less and love more — it would change the world,” Golden said. “That’s what FCA has taught me the most.”

The Gulf Coast FCA is a ministry that works with coaches in athletes in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties to help change.

“It’s a great vehicle for kids to be able to share their faith through sports,” Golden said. “The greatest being of sports is to be able to reach people. It’s a great ministry.”

And on April 16, one of football’s most recognizable figures will share his faith and how that shaped the way in which he coaches and interacted with his players. Former Florida State football coach and future Hall-of-Famer Bobby Bowden will serve as the featured guest speaker for the Gulf Coast FCA’s Annual Spring Banquet.

“Bobby has been very connected with FCA and does a lot of speaking now,” Golden said. “We reached out to his assistants and lined it up. He’s going to talk about his legacy with football, the coaching world and dealing with athletes and FCA and the impact it’s had on his life. He’s a phenomenal guy — very down-to-earth.”

The banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, at The Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Individual tickets for the event start at $100. Table hosts and sponsorship opportunities also are available.

Golden said the organization is expecting about 350 people to attend the banquet, which is open to the community and will serve as a fundraiser for Gulf Coast FCA. The Gulf Coast FCA is hoping to raise $50,000 for ministry in the area.

For more, call Golden at 539-6083.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]

IF YOU GO
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Annual Spring Banquet with Bobby Bowden
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. April 16
WHERE: The Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch Main Street
TICKETS: Individual tickets start at $100; table hosts and sponsorships also available
CONTACT: FCA Coaches Ministry Director Jason Golden, 539-6083 or [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.gulfcoastfca.org