Beyond the Huddle - Central Arkansas FCA

Beyond the Huddle
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Beyond the Huddle

  1. 3d ago

    He Knew About Jesus, But He Didn't Know Him | Wade Goodwin's Testimony

    What happens when you've spent your entire life going to church, knowing the Bible, and doing all the right things—only to discover that knowing about Jesus isn't the same as actually knowing Him? On this episode of the Central Arkansas FCA Podcast, host Kason sits down with Wade Goodwin, a former Henderson State University baseball player, athlete, husband, father, and passionate follower of Jesus, for a powerful conversation about faith, surrender, and the life-changing grace of God. Growing up in Benton, Arkansas, Wade was surrounded by sports, family, and church. His father, legendary baseball coach Russell Goodwin, taught him discipline, perseverance, and the importance of faith. Wade even maintained a remarkable streak of nearly 20 years without missing a Sunday at church! But beneath the perfect attendance and Bible knowledge was a deeper spiritual struggle. Wade knew the stories of Scripture, but he hadn't experienced the personal relationship with Jesus that would eventually transform his life. Through athletic success, personal struggles, broken relationships, and years of pursuing his own desires, Wade continued searching for fulfillment. Then, during a frightening battle with COVID in 2021, everything began to change. In a season of weakness and stillness, Wade came face-to-face with a powerful realization: "You know about Me, but you don't know Me." That encounter launched a journey into God's Word that ultimately led Wade to describe being born again on April 15, 2022. Today, Wade's life looks dramatically different. His passion is no longer centered on athletic achievements or personal success, but on sharing the Gospel and helping others discover the transforming love of Jesus. You'll also hear an incredible story about an ordinary trip to a tire shop that became an extraordinary opportunity to share Christ, ultimately leading to a man's profession of faith and baptism! In this episode, Kason and Wade discuss: Growing up in a sports-centered family and the influence of a godly father The difference between religious activity and a genuine relationship with Jesus Why church attendance and Bible knowledge alone cannot save us How personal struggles and desperation can lead us to surrender Wade's life-changing encounter with Jesus after battling COVID The importance of spending time alone with God and studying Scripture How to overcome fear when sharing your faith An unexpected salvation and baptism at a Benton tire shop Why busyness, distractions, and social media can keep us from pursuing God How God can use ordinary people in everyday situations to accomplish extraordinary things Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, parent, or someone who has attended church for years, Wade's testimony offers an important challenge: Do you simply know about Jesus, or do you truly know Him? It's never too late to surrender your life to Christ and experience the abundant life He offers. Scripture Referenced:Jeremiah 29:13 | John 3 | Ezekiel 36:26 | John 10:10 | Psalm 46:10 | Psalm 63 | Matthew 6:33 | Ephesians 2:10 | Revelation 12:11 About Central Arkansas FCA The Central Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes exists to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Join us for inspiring testimonies, meaningful conversations, and practical encouragement as we explore what it means to follow Jesus both on and off the field. Faith meets competition. Lives are transformed by Jesus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 3d ago

    Faith Beyond the Scoreboard | Steve Marston's Story

    What happens when life doesn't go according to plan? Where do you find your identity when your career falls apart? And is accepting Jesus as Savior the finish line—or just the beginning? In this special episode of Beyond the Huddle, the Central Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes podcast, the microphones are turned around as hosts Josh Adair and Rick Moppen welcome Christian radio host Steve Marston of The Steve Marston Show on 99.5 The Word. Steve shares his personal faith journey, his passion for discipleship, and the unexpected twists and turns that took him from a young radio enthusiast in Louisiana to a career in sports broadcasting and Christian radio in Arkansas. Along the way, the conversation explores what it really means to follow Jesus—not just believe in Him, but grow in a daily relationship with Him. In this episode, you'll hear: Steve's Faith Journey: Growing up knowing about Jesus, the influence of basketball legend Pete Maravich's testimony, and discovering the difference between salvation and discipleship. More Than a Decision: Why becoming a Christian isn't the end of the journey, but the beginning of a lifelong process of spiritual growth. When Dreams Fall Apart: Steve shares how professional disappointment and losing a broadcasting opportunity challenged his faith, identity, and trust in God's plan. Keep Doing What You Know to Do: How prayer, Scripture, church involvement, giving, and obedience helped Steve navigate one of the most uncertain seasons of his life. Who You Are vs. What You Do: A powerful discussion about finding our identity in Jesus rather than our careers, accomplishments, or the scoreboard. Faith in Competition: How FCA is helping coaches and athletes move beyond one-time events into meaningful relationships, small-group discipleship, and everyday obedience to Christ. Living Your Faith Everywhere: Why every Christian—whether a broadcaster, coach, athlete, teacher, or businessperson—has an opportunity to reflect Jesus to the people around them. Through personal stories, sports analogies, plenty of laughter, and biblical encouragement, Josh, Rick, and Steve remind us that following Jesus doesn't guarantee an easy life. But it gives us a foundation that circumstances cannot take away. The takeaway? Your identity isn't determined by your victories, defeats, career, or accomplishments. It's found in Jesus Christ. Resources & Connections The Steve Marston Show Visit SteveMarstonShow.com to learn more about the show and download Steve's FREE resource, Five Tips for Bible Study, designed to help you grow more confident in reading and understanding God's Word. Central Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes Discover how FCA is helping coaches and athletes grow in their faith through campus huddles, personal discipleship, and Fields of Faith events. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating an unexpected season of life, this conversation is an encouragement to keep trusting God, keep growing, and keep taking the next step in your walk with Jesus. Beyond the Huddle — Where Faith Meets Competition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Sep 28

    Do Your Job and Trust God With the Results | Beyond the Huddle

    What happens when you pray boldly…and the outcome is completely out of your hands? In this episode of Beyond the Huddle, the Central Arkansas FCA team sits down for an unscripted conversation about prayer, healing, trusting God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and what it really means to walk by faith. The guys begin with an incredible update about eight-year-old Abigail and the brain tumor her family, church, and FCA community have been praying over. A recent scan brought remarkable news: doctors could no longer detect the tumor. That testimony leads into a much bigger conversation: How should Christians pray for healing? Can we believe boldly that God can move while still surrendering the outcome to His sovereignty? What does Scripture mean when it talks about laying hands on the sick? And have some of our church traditions unintentionally limited the way we think about prayer and the Holy Spirit? The conversation also wrestles honestly with the other side of prayer—the times when the outcome isn't what we desperately hoped for. How do we trust God in grief? How do we minister to someone who is hurting without trying to fix everything? Sometimes faith means praying boldly. Sometimes it means simply sitting beside someone in the pain. The guys also discuss the tension between being a church grounded in the Word and a church open to the work of the Spirit—and why Christians need both. Finally, the conversation turns to Fields of Faith and an extraordinary night surrounding the Cabot–Little Rock Christian football game, when multiple medical emergencies unfolded and players, coaches, students, medical professionals, and fans responded with prayer, compassion, calm, and care. The takeaway is simple, but living it isn't: Do your job and trust God with the results. You don't control the scoreboard. You don't control every circumstance. You don't control how God chooses to answer. But you can trust Him. Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast, where faith meets competition and we talk about what God is doing in and through coaches, athletes, schools, and communities across Central Arkansas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Sep 21

    When the Fight Ends, Who Are You? | Boxer Oscar Cantu’s Story of Faith

    What happens when the thing that defines you is suddenly taken away? On this episode of Beyond the Huddle, Central Arkansas FCA sits down with former professional boxer Oscar Cantu, whose career took him from the Olympic trials to multiple championship belts and a top world ranking. But just as he was preparing for an opportunity to fight for a world championship, doctors discovered a brain aneurysm, bringing his boxing career to an unexpected end. For Oscar, losing boxing meant losing much more than a sport. His identity had become wrapped up in being “the champ.” Retirement led to depression, frustration, and a difficult season in his marriage and faith. Through the prayers and faithfulness of his wife—and ultimately through Christ—Oscar began discovering that his real identity was never supposed to rest in championships, accomplishments, or what he could do in the ring. Oscar also shares how his uncle introduced him to Jesus, the influence of his father and longtime boxing coach, and how FCA and Fields of Faith even played a role in meeting the woman who would become his wife. Plus, Josh Hayter and the FCA team preview Fields of Faith across Central Arkansas, including the massive Cabot gathering where local churches and businesses are coming together to serve thousands of students. The goal goes far beyond one night: connect students with Jesus, help them find a local church, and create opportunities for lasting discipleship. It’s a conversation about identity, discipline, adversity, marriage, competition, faith, and what happens when God redirects the life you thought you were going to live. Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Sep 14

    I Thought Sports Were My Identity—Until Jesus Changed Everything | Cason Mertens’ Story

    What happens when the thing you built your identity around disappears? In this deeply personal episode of FCA Central Arkansas: Beyond the Huddle, Cason Mertens steps behind the microphone alone to share his testimony—a story of sports, success, addiction, brokenness, searching for truth, and ultimately discovering what it really means to surrender your life to Jesus. Growing up in Benton, Arkansas, Cason’s world revolved around athletics. He became an All-State basketball and football player, and his identity was deeply connected to his performance and what others thought of him. But beneath the success was a spiritual emptiness he didn’t fully recognize. After an ACL injury disrupted his athletic future, Cason continued searching for identity and satisfaction through college football, relationships, partying, marijuana, money, business, and plans for the future. Eventually, those pursuits left him asking much bigger questions: What is truth? What is the purpose of life? Is there really a God? And if Jesus is who He says He is, what does it actually mean to follow Him? Those questions led Cason to open the Bible for himself. As he read the Gospels, he became captivated by the person of Jesus. Then Ecclesiastes confronted him with the emptiness of chasing everything the world promises will satisfy us. Eventually, Jesus’ call to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him became impossible to ignore. Cason also shares the struggle that followed—trying unsuccessfully to free himself from marijuana, crying out to God for direction, and the unexpected way God brought a man named Adam into his life to disciple him. What looked like a simple job mowing yards became a season of studying Scripture, prayer, spiritual growth, and learning what following Jesus actually looks like. At the heart of Cason’s story is a message from Galatians 5: Christ has set us free. Real transformation isn't found simply by trying harder to fix ourselves. It comes as we know Christ, receive His love, walk with Him, and allow that love to overflow into serving others. If you’re struggling with your identity, addiction, pornography, marijuana, performance, or the feeling that something is keeping you from becoming who God has called you to be, Cason’s story is a reminder that your past does not have to determine your future. There is forgiveness, restoration, freedom, and a new identity in Jesus Christ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Sep 3

    Faith, Football & Leadership: Dustin Grimmett on Living for Christ Beyond the Huddle

    What happens when faith and football come together? In this episode of Central Arkansas FCA’s Beyond the Huddle, host Rick Maupin sits down with Dustin Grimmett, head football coach at Little Rock Christian Academy, for an honest conversation about faith, family, coaching, leadership, and the impact of living out the Gospel through sports. Coach Grimmett shares the story of his faith journey—from placing his trust in Jesus as an eight-year-old, to discovering how God was working through difficult seasons of moving and transition, to meeting his future wife in seventh grade. He also talks about how football became more than a game and ultimately became a ministry opportunity. Dustin explains his journey into coaching, his time as a player and coach in Arkansas, and how God led him back to Little Rock Christian Academy, where he now serves as head football coach. He discusses his philosophy of relational leadership and why coaches have an incredible opportunity to disciple and influence young men both on and off the field. The conversation also highlights the powerful connection between FCA, faith, and sports, including the role FCA has played in connecting student-athletes' faith with their lives on the football field. Dustin shares about multiple student-athletes and coaches who publicly declared their faith through baptism in front of their teammates. Throughout the conversation, Rick and Dustin discuss the importance of attitude, effort, accountability, teachability, discipleship, and trusting God even when we can't see what He is doing. Most importantly, Coach Grimmett shares his desire to use every opportunity God gives him to glorify Christ and disciple young men. In this episode: Dustin Grimmett's testimony and faith journey Growing up in Little Rock and Clinton, Arkansas How football became connected to Dustin's faith Meeting his wife, Casey, in seventh grade Dustin's journey into football coaching His path to becoming head coach at Little Rock Christian Academy FCA's impact on coaches and student-athletes Faith and sports as an integrated way of life Baptism and public declarations of faith Discipling young men through coaching Leadership, accountability, attitude, and effort The importance of being grateful and teachable Balancing coaching, ministry, marriage, and fatherhood Trusting God's plan even when the path is unclear Living for Christ beyond the football field Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, student, or simply someone seeking encouragement in your faith, this episode offers a powerful reminder: faith doesn't stop when the game starts. We are called to live for Christ wherever God has placed us. Beyond the Huddle is a Central Arkansas FCA podcast focused on the intersection of faith, sports, leadership, and life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Aug 24

    Burn the Ships: Finding Purpose, Faith & Identity Beyond Success | Justin Harrell

    What happens when you achieve the career, income, comfort, and success you thought you wanted—and discover it still isn’t enough? In this episode of the FCA Podcast, Caeson Mertens sits down with Justin Harrell, Men’s Pastor at Collective Church, for a powerful conversation about identity in Christ, finding true purpose, living by faith, and the influence coaches and mentors can have on the next generation. Justin shares his journey from growing up in Mayflower, Arkansas, to a successful career in occupational therapy and corporate leadership. On the outside, life looked good. But despite reaching many of the goals he had set for himself, Justin found himself increasingly dissatisfied and searching for something more. That “holy discontentment” ultimately became part of God’s process of drawing him toward a deeper relationship with Christ and a new calling. Justin explains how the Gospel became more than simply the promise of heaven. He began to understand that Jesus didn’t just save him from something—He saved him for something. Salvation meant living with purpose now, participating in God’s work, and allowing his identity in Christ to transform every area of his life. That conviction eventually led Justin to leave a successful corporate career and step into full-time ministry. Even when consulting work could have provided a comfortable financial safety net, Justin felt God challenging him to “burn the ships,” surrender his backup plan, and trust Him completely. It was a decision that required genuine sacrifice, but Justin says it also taught him dependence on God and allowed him to experience His provision and presence in new ways. The conversation also turns directly toward coaches, athletes, fathers, and mentors. Justin reflects on the lasting influence of Coach Boling, who cared about far more than wins and losses. His coach invested in players, put the Gospel in front of them, modeled humility, and demonstrated that caring for young men mattered more than the scoreboard. That leads to an important challenge for every person in a position of influence: the people you lead will learn to value what they see you value. If coaches and fathers value only performance, achievement, money, or recognition, young people notice. But when they see adults pursuing Christ, serving others, practicing humility, loving their families, and walking faithfully, they see what biblical manhood and discipleship actually look like. This episode is an invitation to move beyond comfortable Christianity and ask some deeper questions: Where is your identity? What are you pursuing? What are you teaching others to value? And are you willing to trust God when obedience requires more than common sense? Whether you’re a coach, athlete, teacher, administrator, pastor, parent, or follower of Jesus, this conversation is a reminder that the Gospel is meant to transform far more than what we say—it should transform the way we live. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Aug 24

    Called to the Campus: Ryan’s Journey of Faith, Sports & FCA Ministry

    On this episode of Beyond the Huddle, the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition, we hear the story of Ryan and his journey into full-time ministry with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ryan shares how God has used his faith journey, athletic background, adversity, and life experiences to prepare him for a new calling: reaching coaches and athletes throughout the Jacksonville area. From building relationships on local campuses to developing multi-sport FCA Huddles, Ryan talks about his heart for meeting students where they are and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The conversation also explores what it means to step out in faith when God calls you into something new. Ryan discusses the process of joining FCA staff, raising financial support, building a team of ministry partners, and trusting God to provide the people and resources necessary to accomplish the mission. At the heart of it all is FCA’s desire to see every coach and athlete growing in a relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. It’s a conversation about calling, obedience, perseverance, sports, ministry, and the opportunities God provides when we’re willing to say yes. You’ll also hear how listeners can come alongside Ryan and the FCA ministry through prayer, encouragement, and financial partnership as FCA continues reaching coaches and athletes across Central Arkansas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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