Spring kicked off last week in Chicago and nearby suburbs with former Indiana University basketball player and 8-year NFL pro with the Cincinnati Bengals Ken Johnson speaking to young people about never, ever giving up! Ken shared how while he was being cut from his junior high basketball team he had no idea a 6’6” 260lb NFL Defensive End was inside of him. He challenged the young people to make the right choices because each and every one of them had greatness inside of them selves, and it was up to them to unlock it.

April and May will be full of other Sports World Pros bringing a message of Hope and stories from their own lives to both challenge and encourage students in western Iowa; Charleston, IL; Indianapolis/Fishers, IN; Schaumburg and suburban Chicagoland, IL; Terre Haute, IN; Des Moines, IA; and Logansport, IN.  It’s going to be a great spring!

We had a great outreach in North West Iowa this Fall led by our Team Captain Larry Pederson.  We were able to go to several new towns and schools where Rich Garza shared not only his position that offensive linemen were the best looking guys in school, but that the students listening to his message could be successes in life by making the right choices.

Thanks also go out to Laurie Simington and Good News Community Church in Okoboji, IA, who hosted a large gathering of church youth groups and FCA huddles one evening, with a great set of songs from their teen worship band and a powerful message from Rich. Thanks Larry and team!