WELCOME
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North San Diego Inland FCA
Our Team
Russ has been on staff with FCA for over thirteen years now and has served in multiple roles in the county. He now serves as the Area Director for the North San Diego Inland Area which covers the cities of Escondido, Valley Center, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Ramona, Warner Springs and Julian. Growing up as a multi-sport athlete who didn't attend church, he sees the opportunity FCA provides to reach young people for Christ through sports. Russ places a high emphasis on networking and partnering with the local churches and is Kingdom minded in his approach. The opportunity to build bridges between the local churches and the schools is key to developing a healthy community. Feel free to reach out to Russ to see how you can become involved in your city.
Sue Walters
Board Member
Sue Walter, "Born on D Day", is the eldest of three and is the mother of a boy and a girl. Sue graduated from SDSU with a 4-way degree before girls were allowed to play intermural sports. She finished her teaching credential and taught 37 years in junior and senior high schools. Sue is now retired, and is in 6 or 7 leadership roles. Her home is open to anyone who needs a meal or a bed. (67 people housed so far). Sue met Russ at Trinity Presbyterian Church back in 2008, and he became a son to her. She is pleased to sponsor his ministry and serve on his board since its founding in 2016.
TEAM FALLBROOK & BONSALL
Chace Steeves
Staff
Chace Steeves is an Associate Pastor at North Coast Church in Fallbrook. His wife Chelsey and him grew up in Fallbrook and love doing ministry in their hometown. Chace loves FCA and used to be on staff full time as an area representative in Fallbrook and Bonsall. FCA will always have a place in his heart as he was a part of FCA at Fallbrook High as a student and now his oldest son Mason is a part of FCA at his middle school. He is grateful that although his position has changed, he still gets to wear the uniform and play on the team! He is privileged to be the Spiritual Advisor for Russ’s board as well as fill an advisory position for the staff in Fallbrook & Bonsall.
Jed Gaudet
Staff
The Gaudet fam, established in 2016, founded by Jedidiah and Audrey, followed shortly by the arrival of their daughter Milana and soon thereafter their son Callahan, reside today in Fallbrook, CA along with their 2 furry feline friends, Rosita and Rusty. They are your typical family, who enjoy the simple pleasures in life such as Sunday afternoon movies, strolls in the neighborhood, and are found rooting for the San Diego Padres or the Philadelphia Eagles. When not doing any of the above mentioned, you can most likely find them at their home away from home North Coast Church Fallbrook or the Fallbrook Youth Baseball Fields!
Audrey Gaudet
Staff
Audrey is a born and raised San Diego local. She has the honor of raising two beautiful school-aged kids alongside her wonderful husband and fellow FCA teammate Jed. She continues to thank God that the positions she's been able to step into have granted her the ability to prioritize her family as her first ministry. Natural habitats you may find her in (besides home and church) are the baseball fields, Disneyland, the theatre, the library, or in a nature preserve. She feels privileged to be a part of the FCA team who continue to pursue excellence in all God allows us to do with utmost gratitude to the Body of Christ who make it possible to spread the good news of Jesus!
Sam Grantham
Associate
Outside of FCA, Sam works with the High School ministry at North Coast Church in Fallbrook. He has grown up in Fallbrook playing a wide variety of sports and going to the local public schools. Coming to faith out of those environments has given him a passion for bringing the gospel to high schoolers in the community. Sam currently attends Cal State University San Marcos and is pursuing a degree in marketing. In his free time Sam loves surfing in Oceanside, camping, playing football or basketball with friends and hiking.
TEAM ESCONDIDO
Devon Mitchell
Staff
Devon serves as the Escondido Representative for the San Diego Inland Area. Devon played various sports such as basketball, baseball, cross country, and track & field growing up but in college was known for being a Spikeball Coach. Devon was first introduced to FCA by his middle school math teacher and then served as President for FCA in high school. Devon was a participant at Total Athlete camp in UCLA in 2014 and since then has committed to pursuing the Lord through youth and sports. Devon works for FCA because he wants to invest in the next generation and create intentional relationships within the community of Escondido. Please reach out to Devon to find out how you can get involved.
Noah Bentz
Staff
Noah has been serving with FCA sports coaching and helping kids grow physically and spiritually since the start of 2023. Noah has seven siblings and has a growing passion for kids, coaching as well as teaching science. Since studying business and ministry at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor Noah loves to work in fields that combine ministry and the practical as well. In addition Noah will be starting a new FCA huddle for Endurance athletes, looking to bring the Lord to those participating in sports such as ultra-running, triathlons, cross country, biking, swimming and more!
Skye Grayson
Board Chair
Skye believes his purpose is to bring the light to his community by empowering others to be the best versions of themselves. He has been involved with the FCA formally since 2021. During that short time he has had the privileged to witness how the ministry is actively meeting the needs of students and his community. He has personally witnessed how it has impacted his own family by creating fellowship for them while participating in a hectic student athlete schedule.
TEAM VALLEY CENTER
Seth Leichtfuss
Ambassador
Seth serves with FCA to bring the love of Christ to the community of Valley Center. He really enjoys being able to use sports to connect with the kids he serves because it’s a fun way to look at how to strengthen their character and purpose in the way they compete.
Rob & Robin
Gilster
Board Members
Rob and Robin are excited to join the FCA team as board members. FCA has played a significant role in their lives over the years. They’ve been married 43 years (high school sweethearts, graduated from EHS in 1979) and have been blessed with 4 children and 10 grandchildren (so far!).
Rob’s 40-year career as a high school teacher and coach has been a joint venture for the Gilsters. After meeting Jesus in high school through the influence of his Christian coaches, Rob felt led to become a teacher and coach himself. Throughout their careers, Rob and Robin have worked as a team ministering to youth, with FCA being a great platform to bring Jesus to the high school campus. In addition to FCA’s focus on youth, the Gilsters have appreciated FCA’s support of Christian coaches and their spouses so they can carry on the work for Christ.
Recently retired, Rob and Robin look forward to their support role of FCA. They also look forward to spending more time with their family and friends!
TEAM RAMONA & JULIAN
Nick Massa
Ambassador
Nick is serving as a Camp Director at Julian Oaks Youth Ministries, a camp for kids in foster care and group homes. He has had the privilege of serving youth in San Diego as a camp director and as the youth pastor at his local church. He loves working alongside His wife, Danae and his kids, Addy, Faye, and Jack. Nick has always had a passion for physical activity and sports. He owns a strength focused gym in his small hometown of Julian and enjoys bringing youth group kids to participate in strength training. He led his FCA huddle at Julian High School and is excited to be an Ambassador for the Julian/Ramona area. He hopes to foster the connections between the kids in both schools and the local ministries He and His family are already a part of. He’s grateful for the opportunity to be part of the FCA Team!
INTERNS
Ivy Kendziorski
Intern
Ivy traded the northern snow of Michigan for the California sunshine in 2024 and instantly fell in love, dedicating this exciting new chapter to ministry and learning. She is currently pouring into the next generation by volunteering in Junior High Ministries, working on the Tech Team at North Coast Church, attending the North Coast Leadership Academy (NCLA), and interning with FCA! This commitment builds on her years of dedication to the court, having played competitive basketball from elementary school through high school. When she's not immersed in ministry or developing her leadership skills, you can find Ivy seeking the perfect latte at a coffee shop, enjoying a cozy night of binge-watching, or heading out on an adventure to capture photos.
Tahj Jones
Intern
Tahj has been serving in ministry since high school, where he's spent the past three and a half years pouring into students at Emmanuel Faith. Sports and discipleship have always been a natural mix for him, from coaching with Play As One since 2018 to mentoring students through his two-year internship with North Coast Young Adults. He’s also had the privilege of traveling on mission trips to places like San Felipe, Hawaii, and Romania—experiences that have deepened his heart for both ministry and the gospel.
Now stepping into a new season, Tahj is interning with FCA under Russ Douglass, serving in the Escondido, Valley Center, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Ramona, and Julian areas. His role involves leading Bible studies, mentoring student-athletes, and helping organize events that connect sports with faith.
With a growing passion for coaching, teaching, and sharing the love of Christ, Tahj is excited to see how God will use this internship to impact the lives of students across North County.
