FCA Atlantic Names New Board Chairman

NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD IN PLACE FOR FCA CAPE ATLANTIC

After a 15-year tenure as the Chairman of the Board for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), John Shirk, managing partner at Fortress Financial, LLC, has decided to step down and allow an opportunity for others to lead.

Andrew Halliday, sales manager at McMahon Agency, Inc., transitioned into the Chairman’s role at the start of the New Year.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Board,” said Halliday. “We are anxious to continue the work of making an impact in our community that John started 15 years ago. We have an excellent staff to work with.” 

Shirk, a former running back at the University of Pennsylvania, was intrigued by a local newspaper ad he read in the late-90’s, and decided to attend a FCA event in Galloway Township. After attending, Shirk was inspired and became instrumental in bringing FCA to Cape May and Atlantic Counties. In fact, he has been serving as the Chairman of the Board ever since. 

Now in its 16th year, FCA Cape Atlantic is currently staffed by it’s second area director, Kyle Clayton, as well as area representative, Carly Witherow, who is focusing on southern Cape May County. In addition to developing FCA’s presence in local schools and communities, FCA Surf, founded by the late Joe Matera, who served as the area director before Clayton, was also birthed out of John’s influence and leadership.

“It is amazing to be a part of the ripple effect from one man who read and responded to a newspaper article 16 years ago. I am grateful for John’s boldness, passion, and faithfulness to remain an active leader in our local ministry. What a legacy!”

For 60 years, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged coaches and athletes to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Said Don McClanen, FCA’s Founder, “The question often asked is, ‘Is FCA as needed or relevant today as it was back then (1954)?’ And I would say more so. FCA is God’s amazing, miraculous dream being fulfilled still to this day.” 

Locally, FCA has a presence on 15 public and private middle school and high school campuses in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. On campus, FCA is typically a student-led and initiated club (campus huddle) where athletes of all kinds come together for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. These campus huddles meet before, during, or after school, and provide an opportunity for students to encourage each other in their sport and in life. In addition to campus huddles, FCA can have a presence on campus through coach’s huddles, team-specific huddles, or through our newest initiative, Character Coaches, where volunteer adults partner with, serve, and encourage local teams.

FCA’s off-campus opportunities also include coach’s huddles and the Character Coach program, as well as adult sport-specific huddles (eg. Endurance, Outdoors), FCA teams, and summer camps. For example, FCA currently sponsors a men’s softball team in the Ocean City Summer League and the Dennisville Fall Ball League, as well as two soccer teams that compete at Eurosports in Egg Harbor City. Furthermore, because of the partnership with FCA Surf, there are nine FCA camps in Cape May and Atlantic Counties—more than any other region in the country! FCA Surf holds eight weeklong camps at 59th Street in Ocean City, and FCA Cape Atlantic hosts a weeklong sports camp for 8-12 year olds in Egg Harbor Twp.

Although Shirk has stepped down as chairman, he will remain an active board member. We are thankful for his committed service and faithful partnership to the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To learn more about FCA in Cape May and Atlantic Counties, please visit our website: www.FCACapeAtlantic.org. 

— News release from FCA Cape Atlantic