South Jersey FCA

Kevin gave his life to Christ in 1982 as a college freshman playing basketball at LaSalle University. His radical conversion experience empowered him to get involved in Camden street ministry, college campus ministry and later as a missionary athlete with the Saints Prison ministry. Kevin launched FCA in South Jersey in 1997. He became the first full-time missionary and has seen God grow the ministry from no campuses to now having 65 schools with an FCA presence. He has been serving as the Philadelphia 76ers team chaplain since 2001. Kevin’s passion is to see athletes and coaches throughout the region come to know and follow Christ. He lives in South Jersey with his wife Anita and he has two adult daughters Erin and Noelle.

Laura Matera has been on staff with FCA since July 2013. She serves in a dual role as both as an Area Director in Cape and Atlantic Counties and as the FCA Surf Mid Atlantic Director. She holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work and and earned an Masters Degree in Counseling from Liberty University. Laura has experienced FCA ministry as a volunteer, a parent of students involved with FCA Campus ministry, as a Board member, Camp Director and now in a full time leadership role. Her husband Joe, pioneered Surf ministry with FCA as the National Director of Board Sports. He went home to heaven after a 2 year battle with Melanoma. Laura has answered the call to full time ministry with FCA and has a heart for engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to grow in a personal relationship with Christ. She believes that FCA, in partnership with the local church has an unparalleled opportunity to influence our communities and change a culture.

Mary Garrett joined FCA staff in February of 2018. Mary and her husband are raising three teenage sons who attend Gateway Regional High School. They are passionate about seeing an FCA Huddle established in each of the schools in the South Jersey area, and thoroughly enjoy their involvement with the ministry.

Zach is the Camden County Area Representative. He has lived in Camden County for the past six years but was born and raised in northwest Minnesota. As a senior in college Zach experienced God's amazing grace as he repented and believed in Jesus. Zach's broken life was completely turned around by the mercy of Jesus Christ when he surrendered his life to Him! Since that day, Zach has had a passion to share the same hope that healed him with others who also feel far from God. Zach has been married to his amazing wife Natasha for over 10 years and they are raising three rambunctious little boys. Zach's work with crisis lines, baseball chapels and as a youth pastor have uniquely prepared him for his role with FCA. Zach's favorite part about working with FCA is going into local high schools to work with students and encourage them to put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Justin joined FCA as the Gloucester County Area Representative in September 2018. FCA has had a significant impact in Justin’s life. Justin started and led the FCA huddle at Gateway for three years during high school. FCA has been a place where he could fellowship with other athletes, draw closer to God and learn what it means to be an athlete for Christ. Justin’s vision is simple: to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to every high school, middle school and college athlete and coach in Gloucester County.