Night of
Champions
Everything you need to plan, execute, and steward your signature fundraising event. Your checklist progress saves automatically to your device.
Why Night of Champions Exists
Before you dive into logistics, remember what this event is really about. The Night of Champions is not just a fundraiser — it's an invitation.
π― The Mission
To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. This event is one of the most powerful tools we have to fund and cast vision for that mission in our community.
π The Opportunity
Coaches and athletes are culture creators. When their hearts are transformed by Jesus, their influence multiplies. One discipled coach can change an entire team.
π The Problem
Young people are overwhelmed — following screens, peer pressure, and performance — but don't know where it leads. They need someone to say: "Follow me as I follow Christ."
π The Win
Disciples making disciples. Every dollar raised, every Champion who gives, every story told — it all points to coaches and athletes leading others toward Jesus.
E3: How We Build Disciples
"Follow Me"
Jesus didn't just call people to believe in Him — He called them to follow Him. That invitation implies relationship, movement, and a change in direction.
An Invitation to Discipleship
"Follow Me" is not just a command — it's a calling. Personal, powerful, and still changing lives today.
Everyone Is Following Someone
Whether it's culture, success, or Jesus — our lives are shaped by who we follow. And others are watching us.
Influence Leads Direction
Coaches and athletes carry significant influence. When they follow Jesus, they lead others to follow Him too.
Discipleship Begins with an Invitation
The most powerful words we can say are, "Follow me as I follow Christ." Lives change when someone walks with another person toward Jesus.
"Who are you following? And who is following you? We're all leading someone. The question is whether we're leading them toward life in Christ — or just toward more noise."
NOC Welcome Script · "Follow Me" ThemeEvery Story Follows This Arc
Example:"I once was chasing identity through my sport. But then a coach invited me to an FCA Huddle. And now I follow Jesus and lead my teammates toward Him." Always attach a call to action.
Questions to Prep Your Speakers
How did you first connect with FCA? What was your life or faith like before that moment?
Was there someone who invited you to follow them — spiritually, relationally, through FCA?
What happened after that moment? How did it change how you lead or influence others?
Who's following you now? How are you using your platform to help others follow Christ?
Timeline & Checklist
Your master planning roadmap from 7+ months out through post-event follow-up. Check items off as you go — progress saves automatically to this device.
Resources for Every Role
Everything your team needs — from story coaching to table host training to goal-setting.
The Main Story of Transformation is the most important element of the NOC program. People don't give to facts — they give to transformation.
What Makes a Great Story?
- A clear before and after: Where was the person before FCA? What has changed?
- An invitation moment: Who said "Follow Me"? What did that look like?
- A ripple effect: How is this person now influencing others?
- FCA connection: Make it clear how FCA was instrumental in their journey
- Emotion and authenticity: Let it be raw, real, and relatable
5-Step Preparation Process
- Step 1 (6-8 weeks): Identify the storyteller — articulate, open, significantly impacted by FCA
- Step 2 (5-6 weeks): Initial interview — listen for transformation moments, draft a 3–5 minute outline
- Step 3 (4-5 weeks): Coaching and refinement — assign a staff story coach, refine key phrases
- Step 4 (2-3 weeks): Practice with staff — full run-through, 5-8 min max
- Step 5 (week of): Final rehearsal on stage or in the event space
Step 1: Evaluate Last Year
What worked? What didn't? Who were your top 10 donors? Who increased their giving? Who didn't give last year but gave before? Who's given the same amount 2+ years in a row — ask them for an increase.
Step 2: SMART Goal Examples
- Threat: Lack of board engagement → Each board member hosts a table and identifies 5 individuals to invite
- Threat: Same donor list 3 years running → Execute parent info night in September to obtain new emails
- Threat: Not enough pre-event 1:1 asks → 10 in-person asks for high-level + 20 phone asks for mid-level donors
- Threat: Same guests year after year → Invite 10 Champions to be table hosts
Table hosts are the backbone of your event. They fill tables, host them on the night, and many sponsor the cost.
The Three Roles — Fund, Fill, Facilitate
- Fund: Cover the cost of a table so all guest gifts go directly to FCA
- Fill: Invite 10+ friends and associates — ideally new to FCA
- Facilitate: Lead table conversation, share their FCA story, collect response cards
Table Host Recruitment Script
"We are having an inspirational Night of Champions fundraising dinner on [date] at [location] to raise funds for [area name] FCA. I have been a champion of this organization for [length] because [briefly share your story]. We are inviting other Champions to join us as table hosts. Would you and your spouse consider joining us?"
- Opening: Help people understand the problem we exist to solve
- Middle (Testimonies, Video, Panel): Demonstrate the solution and share the impact
- Climax (The Ask): An invitation to join the mission — the highest point of the event
Standard Event Agenda
- 5:30 PM — Doors & Walk-Through Experience Open
- 6:30 PM — Call to be Seated, Prayer, Welcome
- 6:45 PM — Dinner Served & Table Huddle
- 7:15 PM — Video and Speaker
- 7:30 PM — The Ask & Response Time
- 7:50 PM — Closing
What to Say and When
Full scripts for the event program, the ask, and post-event stewardship — ready to customize with your local details.
Good evening, and welcome to this year's [Area Name] FCA Night of Champions. Tonight is more than a celebration — it's a glimpse into the Kingdom work God is doing through coaches and athletes across our communities. Our theme this year is "Follow Me." It comes from the invitation Jesus gave to two fishermen — an invitation that changed everything.
We live in a culture where direction is unclear and identity is up for grabs. Young people are overwhelmed with messages telling them who to be — most of it coming from screens, not Scripture. They're isolated, anxious, more depressed than ever in history, and unsure of who they are. That's the crisis.
But here's the good news: Jesus is still calling people to follow Him. When a coach or athlete says yes to that invitation, they don't just change their direction — they change the direction of those who follow them. FCA exists to make that connection possible. Who are you following? And who is following you? It all starts with an invitation: Follow Me.
You've heard stories tonight of lives changed — students struggling with identity, coaches who were spiritually dry, athletes chasing success but missing purpose. But somewhere along the way, someone extended an invitation: "Follow me as I follow Christ."
Right now, our staff are meeting coaches before school, leading huddles, mentoring athletes. But we can only go as far as the generosity of people like you allows. What if the gift you had in mind is just the starting point?
[If matching gift] Tonight, every dollar you give — up to $20,000 — will be matched. Your $500 becomes $1,000. Your $2,500 becomes $5,000.
Would you invest tonight — not just in FCA, but in the direction of someone's life?
Thank-You Call (within 24 hours)
"Hi [donor's name]. This is [your name]. I'm a [staff/volunteer/board member] of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I'm just calling to thank you for the donation you made at the recent Night of Champions. It really means a lot and I wanted to tell you personally how grateful we are."
Handwritten Note (within 1 week)
I hope you enjoyed the Night of Champions! It was a beautiful celebration of all that God is doing through FCA in the [area name] area. Thank you for your investment in this ministry. Because of you, more coaches and athletes will have the opportunity to be transformed by the Gospel and experience discipleship as they live out their faith. You truly are a Champion.
With gratitude, [Your name]
Digital Assets & Templates
All templates are in FCA's Canva Pro account. Update theme, dates, and local details before use. Always verify QR codes link to your specific NOC fundraising page.
π§ Branded Email Invitation
In Constant Contact: CREATE → EMAIL → FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES → "EVENT A" TEMPLATE
β οΈ Annual Reminder
Re-theme all visual assets each year. Guests should not receive the same invitation year after year. Update theme, colors, and imagery for each new cycle.
Past NOC Themes
A living archive of every Night of Champions theme. Use these as reference when building new themes, crafting talking points, or training new staff.
Core Talking Points
- An invitation to discipleship — relationship, movement, change of direction
- Everyone is following someone — culture, success, or Jesus
- Influence leads direction — coaches and athletes as culture creators
- "Follow me as I follow Christ" — discipleship starts with an invitation
"Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."
Matthew 4:19 (CSB)Core Talking Points
- In sports and in life, direction is everything — coaches and athletes have enormous cultural influence
- Generation Z is facing an identity crisis, finding worth through screens not Scripture
- When coaches and athletes follow Jesus, they use their influence to point others toward Christ
- FCA's win: disciples making disciples — engaging, equipping, and empowering leaders
Key Language
- "Direction Matters" — everyone is following something that leads them somewhere
- Leadership, Discipleship, Partnership (LDP)
- E3: Engage, Equip, Empower
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it."
Jeremiah 6:16Core Talking Points
- Add talking point from FY24 theme here
- Add talking point from FY24 theme here
- Add talking point from FY24 theme here
Add the anchor scripture for FY24 here
Book Chapter:Verse (CSB)Add Past Theme
Click for instructions
