Welcome to “Making a Difference!” Step into the inspiring world of business owners who are making a tangible difference in their communities. Join us as we spotlight passionate entrepreneurs who go beyond profit, dedicating their time, resources, and innovative ideas to create positive social impact. Today our hosts, Greg Chapman and James Fenimore spoke with Troy Dennison, Mike McKirahan, and Bob Graumann.
Troy Dennison
Multi-Area Director for Western Montana Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Website Address: https://www.montanafca.org
Mike McKirahan
Area Director for Sarasota County Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Website Address: https://sarasotacountyfca.org
Bob Graumann
Area Director for Mandarin Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Website Address: https://www.nefloridafca.org
Transcript:
Greg:
Hello. Welcome to Making a Difference. I’m your host, Greg Chapman.
Today with me, I’ve got a great panel of FCA staffers, a couple here in the state of Florida and one joining us from Montana. And I think we’re going to have a retreat, coaches ministry retreat to Montana one day. We’re all going to stay at Troy’s house.
So Troy, since I dropped your name first, do us a favor. Introduce yourself, what you do, where you’re at.
Troy:
My name is Troy Dennison. I’m with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, in western Montana. I’m the area director over that.
We were just joking about the fact that really that’s just me managing myself. I’m trying to still build the team because it’s only a few of us up here.
Pleasure and honored to be on the show with you.
Greg:
Mike, tell us about yourself.
Mike:
Hey Greg, thanks for having me on. My name is Mike McKirahan. I’m the area director for Sarasota County here in Florida.
I’ve served on staff with FCA for the last three years, and it’s an honor to be here.
Greg:
Bob?
Bob:
Bob Graumann. I’m here in Jacksonville, Florida with Greg. I’m an area rep serving three high schools, three middle schools, and I just retired from corporate life and joined FCA about six months ago.
Greg:
Yeah, I love Bob’s story. He was on my board and stepped off the board when he retired and joined the ministry as a staff person.
So Bob, we’re grateful for you, and Mike and Troy as well.
My role here in Northeast Florida is the director of coaches ministry. I like to tell people that means I just herd cats on a regular basis, because as you all know, coaches are some of the hardest people to get in front of.
But we also know when it comes to coaching, they pour out probably more than anybody else, and there’s really no one pouring into them.
So from what you’ve seen, why is it important for us to target coaches and prioritize them within FCA?
Mike?
Mike:
Yeah, as a new area director and someone diving into building relationships with coaches, I think it’s so important to pour into them because they pour so much into their athletes, assistant coaches, and teams.
They’re always giving, so to be able to pour into them on a character and spiritual level is an incredible opportunity to give back.
Also, the influence that a coach has is remarkable. We all remember the impact our coaches had on us, whether good or bad.
I’ll never forget my wrestling coach in high school who was like a father figure and helped shape my life.
I think it’s one of the greatest opportunities to give back to those who give so much.
Greg:
Troy, what do you see out in western Montana?
Troy:
Everything that’s been said is true.
We often hear the quote from Billy Graham that a coach will impact more people in a year than most people will in a lifetime.
Whether that’s exact or not, coaches clearly have a huge opportunity.
Having been a coach myself for many years, the desire to influence lives for the long term is real.
Coaches have a unique relationship with athletes, especially in sports where passion is high.
They meet athletes at that intersection of passion and identity.
They have the opportunity to help shape identity, not based on performance, but on who God created them to be.
In western Montana, especially in small towns, coaches have a huge impact that goes far beyond sports.
That’s why we want to engage them where they are.
Greg:
Bob, you’re the rookie in the room. What do you think?
Bob:
One thing I’ve seen is the pressure coaches face, not just from athletes but from parents.
Many are getting burned out.
They’re pouring into others constantly but not being poured into themselves.
Outside of family and church, coaches are one of the top influencers of life skills.
The lessons they teach go far beyond sports and impact careers, marriages, and everyday life.
Employers even look for people who played sports because they understand teamwork and discipline.
It all feeds back into family, church, and community.
Greg:
Something I like to share is that ministering to coaches is bigger than just athletes.
Many students sit under a coach’s influence in classrooms even if they don’t play sports.
So the reach is even broader than we think.
We often say in FCA that coaches have influence, but what does that influence look like when paired with the gospel?
Mike:
I’ll jump in.
Right now I’m working with a baseball team where the coach has a deep love for Jesus and wants to share that with his players.
He shared that eight players on his team had their father leave the home in the past two years.
So the coach steps into that role in some ways.
When a coach shares the gospel, it carries weight.
We get the opportunity to support that message and bring encouragement and the love of Christ to these players.
We can help fill a gap where there may not be a father figure at home.
Greg:
Troy?
Troy:
I like to think of it this way.
How you do what you do reveals why you do it.
When coaches speak into athletes’ lives, it ties back to identity and culture.
When a coach is authentic and aligned with their identity in Christ, it creates a powerful impact.
Athletes begin to see that they belong to something greater, believe something greater, and become something greater.
Greg:
Bob?
Bob:
I’ve seen this firsthand with my own kids and others.
When a coach lives out what they teach, it’s incredibly powerful.
When they model service, it transforms how athletes act in school and life.
Simple things like serving others, respecting people, and showing kindness can have a huge impact.
Kids come back excited, wanting to learn more.
Greg:
Gentlemen, it’s been an honor to have you on the show today.
I know we could keep going, but we’re out of time.
Bob, Mike, Troy, thank you for joining me.
And to all of our listeners, we appreciate you for tuning in.
I hope this conversation has blessed you as much as it has blessed me.
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