Highlight Testimony: Laura Arena

The Fall of 1996 was a pivotal time in my life...I began my career as a head volleyball coach at Farmington High School, I became pregnant with my first child and I started a 'personal relationship' with Jesus Christ, while in the journey of my growing faith.

For 25 years, I have continued on all three of these paths, but sadly with little communion between them.

My years as a coach have been wonderful and full of success with committed student-athletes and supportive families.

As well, through the years, I got more involved with my home church, Valley Community Baptist Church in Avon, CT. I taught Sunday school and ran summer sports camps affiliated with the Christian organization, Unchartered Waters. I joined Bible studies and built new fellowship circles, but oddly, not with any of my Farmington connections.

My four children did, however, enjoy sharing in the fullness of both my Farmington career and my faith, for which I am thankful.

Otherwise, it often saddened me that there was such a separation between my two life passions. That is, until last summer, when my dear friend and Athletic Director passed away suddenly. While attending his funeral, I heard how strong his faith was and realized then, that faith was something we could have shared, but never did. This sparked the desire in me to finally intersect two of the biggest parts of my life. I knew it was time to do something, but more importantly, God knew it was time!

Just two months earlier, I had joined the FCA CT Board. I was familiar with FCA since my brothers had played FCA Lacrosse and my daughter had been a member of a FCA Lacrosse team, one summer. I knew FCA was a fantastic organization that ministers God's Word and His Love to and through coaches and athletes unto new and growing relationships with Christ. This was the perfect intersection of coaching and faith I was looking for.



So, in the middle of the pandemic (God's perfect timing, not mine) I stepped out in faith to start a FCA Huddle at Farmington High School. This led me to greater faith, for an even greater outreach through me with the good news of FCA to other CT schools and coaches in my conference. My invitation was met with the faith and interest of my colleagues to join hands with me in growing FCA CT.

"...let your light shine before others, that they may see..." Matthew 5:16a