The Fellowship of Christian Athletes engages coaches and athletes to grow in their faith and sport.
Meet Your Loudoun FCA Staff:
Matt Diener has lived in Loudoun County since 2012 and is serving as Area Director. His background is in athlete performance training and he has built relationships with athletes and coaches throughout Virginia and Maryland since 2007. With a passion for the Lord and love for sports, Matt looks forward to expanding the impact of FCA in Loudoun County. Growing up in a Christian home, Matt's parents have provided a positive model for faith and ministry since he was young. Matt's faith strengthened in high school from his involvement with youth group activities as well as coaches who spent time building his character as a man of God. He discovered FCA in college through a campus huddle and has since served as a huddle leader, character coach and board member. Matt desires to equip athletes, coaches, volunteer, and staff so that they can impact lives for Christ wherever they go! Matt attended Mount Union College, graduating in 2007 with a degree in Sport Management. He played on two Football Division III National Championship teams in 2005 and 2006 as defensive back and special teams. Matt still loves to play many sports and enjoys staying active. He and his wife Allison live in Leesburg and like to spend as much time as possible outdoors with their dog or biking the W&OD Trail
Noelle heard about FCA in 2013 – at that point she was coaching competitive club volleyball and working full time as a graphic artist (for HSLDA in Purcellville). After attending a 3D coaches seminar, reading True Competitor devotional, and communicating with FCA staff, Noelle was curious to learn more. Two years later through active involvement in her local church and exposure to FCA ministry, she felt the Lord drawing her to come on staff with Loudoun County FCA. Noelle grew up in California and moved to Loudoun County, Virginia in 2004. She earned her B.S. in Web Technology and Graphic Design from Liberty University where she competed on club gymnastics, swimming, crew, and table tennis teams, all the while playing intramural volleyball. Noelle currently enjoys adult volleyball leagues and that love will never die. However, Noelle has learned the importance of finding her identity in Christ and letting being a child of God define her, rather than her athletic abilities. At a young age, Noelle accepted Christ. It’s been a wild ride ever since! Faith has been crucial in navigating life – knowing Christ is the best thing that ever happened to Noelle.
Christina Casares joined the Loudoun FCA staff in December 2016 as a women's ministry area representative. As a young child, she was greatly impacted by a close family friend who served as the youth leader at her church and decided to start a relationship with Christ when she was twelve years old. She grew up in Loudoun County, attending Broad Run High School before earning a degree in mathematics at the College of William and Mary. One of Christina's favorite college experiences was being part of the FCA ministry on campus for four years. After graduating, Christina returned home to Loudoun where she taught math for eight years at Potomac Falls High School. She also served as a junior varsity girls' soccer coach for four years and FCA huddle co-sponsor for two years. Christina has loved teaching and is extremely excited to be able to continue serving the Lord and students in Loudoun County through this new role.
Barry has been a Loudoun County resident for more than 25 years. Growing up in rural Illinois, Barry participated in sports year round and sports have played a huge role in his life throughout his high school and college years as he played both football and baseball. Coming to the Lord in his 30’s, he has seen the Lord move mountains in his life. For years he watched as coaches poured into his life and now he is overjoyed to coach youth athletics on many levels around the Leesburg area. One of the most cherished titles he currently holds is Character Coach for the Tuscarora High School football program. Next to his family and his relationship with the Lord, nothing brings Barry more joy than his keen awareness of the value in the coach-athlete relationship. Barry and his wife Michele have two sons : Jeffrey who is progressing in the field of acting/entertainment through Actors, Models and Talent for Christ, and Chris who plays multiple sports and is currently serving as a FCA huddle leader as a student at Tuscarora High School.
Robin Ellison is a native of Nashville, TN, and has lived in Leesburg for the past 13 years. She joined our staff in May 2017. Robin graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a degree in Secondary Education and she was a member of the dance team there. She has a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before moving to Loudoun, she served as the Associate Dean of Students at Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN. While there, she also served as the Head Cheerleading Coach for the Division II program. Robin started teaching at Loudoun County High School in 2004 and served as Head Varsity Cheer Coach during her time there. She has also worked as an online English professor. FCA has been a vital part of Robin’s life. She was an active student-leader in high school and participated in several leadership camps. She went on to attend FCA in college and started the first FCA huddle at Loudoun County High School while teaching there. Robin is married to Derrick Ellison and they have three awesome children – Adilynn, Isaac and Emmaline. She has been a domestic engineer (stay at home mom) since their oldest daughter was born in 2009.
Rebekah grew up in a Christian home and as a preacher's kid, she was introduced to Christ at a young age and has had a personal relationship with Him since the age of 7. Rebekah moved to Loudoun County after she and her husband David were married in 2002. She was a cheerleader in high school and on the dance team at Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she was a Communications Major. Rebekah is now a mom to 3 wonderful kids: Braydon, Andrew and Evelyn. She is actively involved in their schools and sports' teams and transports her children back and forth to basketball, swimming and gymnastics, to name a few.