Our Utah Team

What an exciting time for FCA Utah! Thank you for partnering with us on the ground level. We are experiencing God move in a mighty way through the platform of sports. We believe that together with your prayers and financial gifts, FCA can empower God’s word through coach’s and athlete’s to all areas of the Beehive state and impact our communities like never before.

Northern Utah

Jlongoria@fca.org

Support Josh

Joshua Longoria

Northern Utah Director

Josh Longoria was born and raised in Mansfield, TX. He grew up with a single Mom. In HS he competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He went to college to play football, but a back injury from his senior year quickly put an end to that dream. After a year and a half in college he decided to join the United States Marine Corps. It was in the Corps that Josh both grew as a man and as a leader. It was also in the Marine Corps that Josh met his wife Faith. They have been married since 2002 and have 5 kids. They have lived the military life and have been in ministry since 2007.

In 1994, the summer between 8th and 9th grade, Josh confessed Christ as Lord of his life while at a youth camp. However, it wasn’t until his years in the Marines that Josh really began to live for the Lord. After coming back from combat in Iraq he began to consider the calling God had placed on his life. He constantly reflected to days of his grandfather, youth pastors, and coaches taking time to invest into his life, and he knew that God had been preparing and equipping him for a life of service to young men and women. In 2015, while coaching and teaching in Layton, Ut, Josh was re-introduced to FCA. He reminisced about his experiences with FCA in HS and decided to leverage his talents, gifts, and time to help FCA re-launch in Utah. November 2017 Josh committed to come on staff and serve with FCA Utah.

Josh believes that his experiences as a leader in sports, the Marine Corps, teaching, youth ministry, coaching, and being an Athletic Director have all been used to open his eyes to the needs within the athletic community and to equip him to lead the charge in Utah! He has seen numerous athletes/coaches come to know the Lord and has played an intricate part in discipling many of them. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with him as he continues to lead the Northern Area of Utah?

SElisaia@fca.org

Support Samu

Samuelu Elisaia

University of Utah Campus Rep

During my sophomore year at the University of Utah I decided to make my faith my own but didn’t know where to start. So, I began to pray for a community of people I could grow with in my walk of faith. A couple weeks later I had a strange encounter in the ice tub with an unfamiliar teammate, Johnny Capra. He asked me, “Are you a believer by chance?” I answer, “Yes, but what made you ask that?” He went on to say he felt compelled by the spirit to do so. He then went on and told me about a Christian group of athletes that meet weekly and invited me to join. He was the head huddle leader for FCA on campus. It didn’t take long for Josh Longeria, our state director, to ask me to become a huddle leader myself. Through my three-year stint as a huddle leader, I began to see God do some incredible things in my life. He started to change and mold me into who I am now.

My last semester of college I could tell my heart was heavy. I had built such a strong community and I didn’t want to leave them. With my sport being played in the fall, the school year ended in the spring. So, I asked Josh if I could finish my time out with FCA after the academic school year finished. He said, "Yes!”

That last spring semester as an athlete was critical, during those four months, God really showed and placed the calling to ministry on my life. It was a natural fit. I love being around athletes, I understand their day-to-day lives, and I know the struggles. I can connect with these athletes in ways most cannot.

God used FCA to pour into me as a young Christian, now God is using me to do the same to others through FCA. I am so excited to be here in the field doing the Lord’s word, it has truly been an honor. And I cannot wait to see what He has in store for the state of Utah!

Support Northern Utah Prospective Staff

Central & Southern Utah

RGoch@fca.org

Support Ron

Ron Goch

Central & Southern Utah Director

Our area of focus is serving the students, athletes and coaches in Central & Southern Utah. It is a blessing to serve alongside our staff, ministry partners and volunteers with FCA in Utah, and we enjoy seeing how God impacts the lives of students, athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence.

Our FCA ministry initiatives are possible because of appreciated ministry partners faithful prayers and financial support. We ask that you prayerfully consider assisting us with reaching more students, athletes and coaches for Christ with your time and gifts today.

Your support assists us with advancing FCA’s vision in Southern Utah through FCA’s four C’s: Coaches, Community, Campus and Camps.

Thank you for your time and interest to support and invest in Central & Southern Utah FCA, and please don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more about our ministry initiatives, and specific areas you may have an interest to impact. I can be reached directly at 801-558-6937 or rgoch@fca.org. Thanks again and God bless you.

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Ron, who was born in Chicago and grew up in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, is a graduate of Winona State University (Minn), where he played football, ran track, and was first introduced to FCA.

Ron has served in various FCA volunteer roles through the years, including a camp huddle leader while in college and chairman of the Utah FCA state board. He helped bring FCA to Utah in 2012, and in 2022, Ron was presented with FCA's Branch Rickey Service Award.

In May/June of 2023, Ron set out to walk across Utah - over 500 miles - to raise awareness and resources for Utah FCA. On June 11, 2023, Ron completed the trek - 528 miles, 1,000,444 steps in 30 days.

It was on the walk that Ron gained clarity on God calling him to full time ministry with FCA, which led him to step aside from college athletics administration after 37 years, and he and his wife, Susie, moved from northern to southern Utah, where he serves as FCA's Central & Southern Utah Director.

MKelling@fca.org

Support Megan

Megan Kelling

Southern Utah University Campus Rep

Megan was born and raised in Annandale, MN. She graduated from Annandale High School, later being named to the Hall of Fame for competing in the sports of basketball, golf, and softball. After accepting a scholarship, she went on to play basketball at the University of North Dakota (UND). Upon graduation, she began her coaching career at Iowa Lakes Community College. Megan returned to UND to coach basketball for 6 seasons, while also completing her Master’s degree.

It was at this time she would meet and marry UND football coach John Kelling. Megan and John are blessed with 2 energetic boys, Everett and Colt. God’s journey for the Kelling family has taken them to 2 cities in North Dakota, followed by 6 years in Frostburg, MD, a 2-year move to PA, and finally a move to Cedar City, UT in 2022. In 2017, God called Megan to come on staff with FCA MD in a variety of roles. The entire family is highly involved in FCA, leading, and participating in huddles, camps, and other events. All the wonderful experiences in Frostburg, MD have set the stage for her next moves with FCA. God used Megan to grow FCA in the Lock Haven, PA area before sending her to the beautiful mountains of Utah.

This is an exciting time in southern Utah and Megan is excited to help more coaches/athletes find their worth and identity in Jesus Christ.