DON’T STOP AT DOUBT

FCA Blog Series: Atlanta Game Changers

Atlanta Area: Collegiate

Olivia Crum's journey embodies the raw honesty of grappling with doubt while navigating the winding path toward faith.

Despite growing up in the familiar church embrace, Olivia questioned the possibility of a personal relationship with Jesus. "Even though I grew up around church, it made me still feel uncomfortable that they talked about Jesus so much... But there was something attractive about it."

Navigating the complexities of young adulthood, Olivia found herself straddling the line between embracing her faith and succumbing to the allure of worldly pleasures. "I would go to FCA, love it, but then run away... I didn't want the authentic community because I knew once I got community, I would have to start living a life for God."

Amidst the confusion of her sophomore year, Olivia's path intersected with a pivotal moment of revelation surrounding an FCA retreat. "I was saying, Jesus should pick someone else. I'm never going to be able to stop sinning. I'm never going to be able to live the life that God wants me to live. Like I'm never going to be good enough... I'm out."

“The retreat was next week—I was already signed up, but I really didn't want to go.”

Wrestling with the gravity of her own sin and inadequacy, she experienced a profound realization of the sacrificial love of Christ. “The first night of the retreat, the message was about exactly what I was struggling with- you can't do anything to overcome your sin…it was the first time I realized Jesus didn't die on the cross for sin in general. He died on the cross for my sins.”

It was precisely in this moment of surrender that Olivia found herself embraced by the grace of God. "After that, I became FCA obsessed. I lived by Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Embracing the transformative power of the Gospel, Olivia's journey took on a new trajectory of purpose and service. "I've just been running after God through the mission of FCA... My heartbeat is how do we make a lifetime of followers of Jesus."

Today, as a metro director in Atlanta, Olivia's passion for discipleship reverberates through her commitment to engaging, equipping, and empowering others. "The mission to reach every... you have to go after the heart of one athlete and then see where it goes from there."

Olivia's story profoundly reminds us that amidst our greatest doubts, breakthroughs of faith await. Through the highs and lows of our journeys, wrestling with uncertainty often leads to the deepest revelations and encounters with God.

This summer, you can find Olivia working with our Encounter Interns all over the city of Atlanta. Encounter is an immersive five-week internship with FCA in Atlanta, Georgia focusing on three spiritual aspects. We are making disciples who make disciples! Encounter is designed to develop the spiritual lives and leadership skills of student athletes interested in growing in these areas or coming on staff with FCA.