It was the summer of 2008, and I was on my way to my first FCA camp as a huddle leader. I had a lot on my mind, but I was ready to serve however the Lord wanted me to serve.
I remember pulling into Black Mountain, North Carolina, and breathing in my favorite mountain air. My family and I went to camp in the same location when I was a younger teen, and I chose to go to college only an hour away. It honestly felt like home.
What I didn’t know was there was a greater feeling of home I had yet to experience. I walked in to find 20 or so other college girls who would become my sisters. Some for the week, and others for life. In fact, my roommate of the last 4 years was in that room.
Then, just when I thought the experience hit a peak, I met my middle school campers. If you have had middle school children, or teach, you just laughed. If not, imagine 10 wild monkeys who’s only goal is to get away from you. Yep, welcome to camp Lauren!
Luckily, that experience only hooked me. Those girls in my huddle is where my why came to be.
My huddle looks different now. It consists of female college athletes and coaches every day on the campus of their university. However, my why is the same.
I want to meet these women where they are, as they are, and show them love like they have never known. I may only be a stepping stone on their faith journey, but I want every female who is involved with athletics to know they are beautiful and there is a Father that loves them deeply. That I love them deeply. If I walk away at the end of my career with FCA with every girl knowing I love her, I have accomplished everything.
Being a chaplain is more than just preaching faith. It’s being a steady hand in a shaky world. It’s being a shoulder to cry on and a soft place to land. I want to be that haven when someone needs me, Christian or not.
I want every female athlete I come in contact with to know that they do not have to face anything alone.
The reason I do FCA is to transform lives. And sometimes showing up can do more than a revival.
Lauren Roback 