Died: Don McClanen, Founder of Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The founder of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Don McClanen, passed away Feb. 16, 2016 at the age of 91, Christianity Today reports. The former Oklahoma basketball coach was inspired at a physical education conference to minister to young athletes. Thanks to a friendship with Louis H. Evans, McClanen was encouraged to write Christian athletes to help him get FCA off the ground, and it was chartered in 1954. The organization now reaches 2 million students annually across 55 countries.
Samaritan’s Purse: Doors Have Been Opened Wide in Nepal
Samaritan’s Purse says that following the massive earthquake in Nepal, many opportunities have been afforded them to serve the people there, despite the main religion being Hinduism and Christians being a very small minority. Tim Windmeyer, who is heading up response efforts in Nepal for the organization, says the government has even helped “open doors” for Samaritan’s Purse to get goods into the country quickly and expedited the process of getting those goods to the people who need them, OneNewsNow reports.
‘Basic humanity’ Pushes ChildFund in New Directions
ChildFund is seeking to help child refugees from Syria as they move into Europe, a new part of the world in which they have not often worked. The organization specifically wants to help older children and teens, as they are the most underserved by other humanitarian aid efforts in Turkey, though there are little to begin with, reports the Richmond Times Dispatch. President and CEO Anne Goddard calls the refugee crisis a “slow-onset emergency,” which is difficult to gain support for over a prolonged period of time, so she says they are waiting for funding that will help them fill some of those voids.
Concordia President Elected Chair of Lutheran World Relief Board of Directors
Lutheran World Relief has appointed William Craft, President of Concordia College, as chair of its board of directors. He has served on the board since 2013 and says the organization affirms “God’s love for all people as it works to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.” Craft has been an educator and administrator for 30 years and prior to Concordia served as dean of Luther College and vice president for academic affairs, holding a faculty appointment as a professor of English, according to Prairie Business.
New CEO Named for Catholic Charities of Dallas
Catholic Charities of Dallas has named David Woodyard as its new CEO. Woodyard most recently served as a consultant to the service and hospitality industry, and prior to that served as Executive Vice President of Business Development and Operations at ClubCorp., which runs golf resorts, private clubs and spa locations. He’s served on the boards at Catholic Foundation and Bishop Dunne High School as well as committees at All Saints Catholic Church and North Texas Food Bank. Catholic Charities of Dallas serves more than 30,000 children, families and seniors annually across 17 programs, which Woodyard will oversee.
