Legendary college football coach Mark Richt paid a visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains Tuesday, April 22, to help the 515 Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) raise funds for Area Ambassador Morgan Holt.
Richt told of his football career prior to coaching as well as his journey leading up to his 15-year career as head coach of the University of Georgia’s Bulldogs.
As an assistant coach for the Florida State University Seminoles, Richt said he dedicated his life to God with Head Coach Bobby Bowden leading him in prayer.
“Everything changed,” he said. “I didn’t know what happened. Truthfully, I didn’t know my spirit and my soul were made perfect with God because of what Jesus did for me. I didn’t know my behavior would still be lagging behind who I was in Christ, and I’d still do stupid stuff.”
Following his departure from the Dawgs, Richt coached three years at the University of Miami before retiring. Richt said he felt his body was telling him to retire.
Introducing Holt, Area Director Matt Queen told that she is from Fannin County, left for college and has now returned.
Showcasing God’s plan, Queen held up a shadow portrait of Holt from kindergarten which read “I would preach about God to all the people.”
Holt hosts Bible studies with local high school and middle school students.
“With FCA, I am so thankful that I can be one person that can reach them with Jesus,” Holt said after explaining that she knows there are different routes student can choose for their lives.
Blake Pierce, associate pastor for Temple Baptist Church, told of his journey of outreach within the schools and applauded FCA
“There is not another resource local churches have like it,” he said.
The event was held at Morganton Baptist Church, and 515 FCA covers Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Pickens and Towns counties.
“We raise all our money,” Queen said of needing to fund raise.
Anyone wishing to support their work may contact Queen at mqueen@fca.org. Visit www.515fca.org to learn more.