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.
Utah
Ron Goch
Utah Interim State Director
Our focus is serving the students, athletes, coaches and communities through the state of Utah. It is a blessing to serve alongside our staff, ministry partners, leadership board members and volunteers with FCA in Utah, and we enjoy seeing how God impacts the lives of students, athletes, coaches and all whom they influence.
Our FCA ministry initiatives are possible because of volunteers deep dedication to serve as the backbone to our ministry, and appreciated ministry partners faithful prayers and financial support. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in reaching more students, athletes and coaches for Christ with your time, prayers and gifts.
Thank you for your time and interest to invest in Utah FCA, and I welcome a call so I have the opportunity to get to know you, share about what God is doing to and through students, athletes, coaches and our communities, and together find a way to involve you in our Utah FCA ministry. 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 and raised in Illinois, is a graduate of Winona State (Minn.), where he played football, was a member of the track & field team, and was first introduced to FCA.
Ron has served in various roles with FCA through the years, including as a volunteer, camp huddle leader, chairman of the Utah FCA leadership board, and most recently as the Central & Southern Utah director.
In 2012, Ron and a group of people collaborated on bringing FCA to Utah, and in 2022, while serving on the Utah FCA leadership board, he was presented with the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Branch Rickey Service Award.
In May and June 2023, Ron set out to walk across Utah - over 500 miles - to raise awareness and resources for Utah FCA. On June 11, 2023, he completed the trek - 528 miles, over 1 million steps, in 30 days.
It was on the walk Ron gained clarity on God calling him into ministry, which led him to step away from 37 years in college and professional sports and into full time ministry with FCA.
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!
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.
