Ep: 312 - Dirt Church

It’s always good when you meet someone that is giving back to the community and event better when they are sharing the word of God. I recently met Mr. Ed Stratton at an event and he had a table set up with “Fellowship of Christian Athletes Outdoors”. Take a listen as I sit down with Ed and we take a little bit about the history of the organization, what it’s doing for coaches and athletes around the country. We discuss how Ed got involved in ministry and his love for the outdoors and motocross. Now he serves full time as an Area Director with two specific areas of focus, Northeast FCA Outdoors Director and NY FCA Motocross & Off-Road Director.

One of the coolest things you’ll hear is Ed talking about “Dirt Church”.

“So we'll do prayer at the races, we'll also do a chapel service, we call it dirt church. So we do dirt church at the track. And you know, one of the things that makes this so appealing to people is, you know, a lot of people have a desire to, to either know more about God or, or build on the relationship they have through Jesus Christ. And they don't get a chance to do it in this sport, because it's always a weekend that so you know, they don't have a chance to go to church. So we bring the church to the track”

~ Ed Stratton ~

We wrap up the show with Ed sharing a very personal Decision Hour moment as he explains feeling, “lost in the center and separated from God”.

Be sure to checkout the websites:

https://www.mxfca.org

www.northeastfca.org/outdoors

Follow on social media: FB, IG - @FCAOutdoors

About Ed Stratton:

Ed Stratton comes to FCA with a wealth of experience, passion for people and an excitement for exploring new ways to share the Gospel. Growing up in Camden, NY, Ed raced motocross for many years until graduating from high school, and then graduated from Alfred State College with a degree in business management. In 1990 he married his childhood sweetheart Kelli and in 2022 they celebrated 32 years of marriage, they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

With a background in government contracting and Health and Life insurance, Ed eventually owned multiple firms while serving faithfully as a youth pastor and worship leader at Abundant Life Church in Camden, NY. He even made time to serve and chair the FCA board of directors for Central NY!

Starting in 2012, Ed served on the FCA board of directors in Central NY for three years. In 2014, he started the first FCA Motocross team in the Northeast, and organized the first training camp in 2015. The camp has grown into a vibrant ministry with over 250 people now attending the FCA Motocross & Off-Road training & ministry camp!

Ed has been involved with FCA for over 10 years and now serves full time as an Area Director with two specific areas of focus, Northeast FCA Outdoors Director and NY FCA Motocross & Off-Road Director, two of Stratton’s lifetime passions!

“Sports is a passion shared by many. To bring sports and ministry together through the FCA platform gives us an opportunity to share the message of Jesus and the cross where – in most cases – churches are not allowed. This is working and that is exciting!” says Stratton. “Serving in ministry is my passion and introducing people to Jesus using the platform of sports is a double blessing.”

https://www.mxfca.org

www.northeastfca.org/outdoors