"It's truly humbling, but
a blessing to have been given a platform to share my faith. God just
opened up the door for me to talk about His love to people all around
the world rather than what would have otherwise been just the surfing
community. It's pretty cool."
Kansas City, MO — [ http://www.fca.org/ - FCA.org ]
Bethany Hamilton is no stranger to beating the odds. And now, the
world-renowned surfer has done it again, when she pulled off a major
upset over Memorial Day weekend, beating some of the best surfers in the
world in Fiji.
Thirteen years ago, Hamilton lost her left
arm in a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. But instead of shying
away from the ocean, Hamilton was catching waves again just three weeks
later. On Monday, the 26-year-old finished third in the World Surf
League's Fiji Women's Pro as a wildcard entry who was not even seeded
among the top surfers, reported NBC's "Today" show.
Back in 2010, the surfer talked to Fellowship of Christian Athletes ( http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29544&Action=Follow+Link - FCA ).
Magazine about the movie telling her life story that was in production
at the time—"Soul Surfer." Hamilton's strong faith in God helped her
through the ordeal that put her on an international stage.
"In early October 2003, my mom and I started praying and asking God
to use me and show me His purpose for my life," Hamilton told FCA. "So,
after the shark attack, I accepted that God allowed this to happen to me
for a reason. ...I want people to see where my hope and strength comes
from: Jesus Christ. And hopefully they'll consider having a relationship
with God, too."
Said Clay Meyer, FCA Magazine editor, "We are 'stoked'—to use the
surfer vernacular—for Bethany Hamilton and her awesome accomplishment.
We absolutely love telling stories like Bethany's, where the top
athletes around the globe go about their lives and their sports with FCA
values always at the core: Integrity, Teamwork, Serving and Excellence.
We can't wait to see what else God has in store for Bethany Hamilton."
Hamilton
has gone on to win a slew of surfing titles, and is inspiration to
athletes of all ages as more and more hear her incredible story. She's
also been featured in books, movies, television programs—including a
third-place finish on "The Amazing Race" in 2014 with her husband, Adam
Dirks—and is the face of cosmetic products. As a side note, Bethany and
Adam's son, Tobias, celebrates his first birthday on June 1.
But Hamilton's heart lies in making an
impact that goes beyond the commercial success. She supports a long list
of charities and organizations, has traveled with World Vision to help
orphaned and injured children, has shared her story with wounded
veterans, and has even stopped by an FCA event to sign books for young admirers.
"I think (God) is teaching me about
grace and patience and to be bold about sharing my testimony," Hamilton
told FCA Magazine. "It's truly humbling, but a blessing to have been
given a platform to share my faith. God just opened up the door for me
to talk about His love to people all around the world rather than what
would have otherwise been just the surfing community. It's pretty cool."
This summer, FCAis gearing up for its 60th
Camps season, with more than 600 camps planned in nearly every state
across the country and in more than 35 countries around the world that
will reach upwards of 100,000. FCA Surf ( http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29543&Action=Follow+Link - www.fcasurf.org ) has a variety of surfing Camps planned in New Jersey in three locations over multiple weeks. Learn more http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29542&Action=Follow+Link - here .
Additional surf camps are also planned for California in Del Mar, La
Jolla and San Diego, California. For more Camp information, click http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29541&Action=Follow+Link - here and search for "SURF."
In 2015, FCA's
Camps Ministry experienced a record-breaking year, with a total
attendance of 94,505 at 619 Camps in 41 states and 36 countries around
the world. FCA takes the best attributes of
both athletic- and spiritual-focused camp events and combines them into
an athletic/spiritual experience like none other. Camps also remove
athletes and coaches from the rut and routine of their sport,
friends/co-workers and community, and place them into an exciting,
healthy, athletic environment that allows them to pursue their passion
for sport and clearly see and hear the Christ's passion for them.
FCA has a special http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29540&Action=Follow+Link - web site
dedicated to its 2016 Camps season highlighting the "RISE" theme. In
addition to the foundational Bible verse of Joshua 1:9, other key verses
support the message for all to overcome, follow, be of one mind, have
purpose and focus on Jesus Christ at FCA Camps. Several FCA
Camps are available for coaches, student-athletes, leaders and teams,
both in the U.S. and internationally. To find Camps in specific areas or
to inquire about volunteering at an FCA Camp, visit http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29539&Action=Follow+Link - www.fcacamps.org .
For more information about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit FCA's web site at http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29538&Action=Follow+Link - www.fca.org , its Facebook page at http://hamiltonstrategiesllc.pr-optout.com/Tracking.asp x?Data=HHL%3d%3f%2f488%26JDG%3c939397%3f%26SDG%3c90%3a.& RE=MC&RI=3502956&Preview=False&Distribution ActionID=29537&Action=Follow+Link - www.facebook.com/fcafans or its Twitter feed @fcanews.
http://www.fca.org/ - Link>
http://www.fca.org/ - - http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/ - www.breakingchristiannews.com/