Tennessee School District Puts Hold on FCA Clubs

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is one of the most respected Christian ministries in the nation. They operate campus chapters on thousands of schools across the country – but not in Smith County, Tennessee.

The school board turned down requests from two students to start FCA chapters at the middle school and elementary school.

Josh Gibbs has two boys who play sports and they petition their schools to start an FCA huddle.

The school district replied with a kind-hearted message – saying they would look into the matter. But since then – they’ve been dragging their feet.

The district says there’s a lot of grey area in the law concerning student-led religious clubs.

But First Liberty Institute says the law is black and white and they are now representing the Gibbs family.

“We appreciate the Smith County School System’s commitment to following the law,” said Holly M. Randall, counsel for First Liberty. “Our goal is to clarify that the United States Constitution, federal law, the Tennessee Constitution, and Tennessee state law all protect the rights of students to express their faith through religious student clubs.”

The Supreme Court ruled in “Good News Club v. Milford Central School” that schools must grant religious clubs the same access as any other non-curricular club.

First Liberty says the Smith County School District struck out with its decision. Let’s hope they decide to play ball.