East Central Mississippi Fellowship of Christian Athletes didn’t need a back-door score to make their inaugural cornhole tournament at Chunky River Trading Post and Campground a success Saturday.
The organization, which seeks to transform the world by Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches, raised $1,200 to be able to send local students to its FCA leadership camp.
Newton County director Scott Engle said is thankful to Dwayne and Joyce Reynolds who allowed FCA to put the camp on at their campground. Although the Reynolds didn’t support FCA monthly, they had an idea to do something better after praying about it. That idea transformed into the cornhole tournament.
“This is that ‘something better,’” Engle said. “The reason why we’re here to day is not just to raise money. This is a relationship. This is why I wanted to do a cornhole tournament instead of a golf tournament. If we had done a golf tournament, we could have raised $30,000, and I think it would have been less work than putting on a cornhole tournament.
“But it’s not a family event. This is a family event, and the first of many more of these to come.”
Garrett Mills, a former Newton County athlete, said during a brief testimony at the tournament that he’s seen the impact of FCA firsthand. Former football coach Gene Mitchell encouraged him to run the school “huddles” or meeting for FCA. During that time, Mitchell was fighting cancer and would miss several of the FCA huddles. Mitchell asked Mills to take care of the several huddles throughout the year.
“Through us leading huddles throughout the year, me and Coach Mitchell kinda tag-teamed it with the football team,” Mills said. “I would take a car full of people that were like, ‘Hey, can I get a ride to church.’ And those folks are still in church at my church today because of what FCA and what coach Mitchell impacted their lives today.”
Caption for lead photo: Greg Perkins and Cory Cater play cornhole at the Chunky River Trading Post and Campground. | Brent Maze
 Hunter Burkes practices his cornhole throwing motion while Charlie Wilson looks on. | Photos by Brent Maze |
 Newton County FCA representative Scott Engle addresses the crowd on Saturday at Chunky River Trading Post and Campground. |
 Joyce Reynolds enjoys a laugh as she and her husband, Dwayne, receive a recognition for hosting the cornhole tournament. |
 Joyce and Dwayne Reynolds receive a recognition for hosting the cornhole tournament. |
 Joyce and Dwayne Reynolds toss the ceremonial first bag of the inaugural cornhole tournament. |
 Jeff May, left, tosses a bean bag during the cornhole tournament as Casey Brown looks on. |
 Tristan Smith tosses a bean bag while Diane Kelly looks on during the tournament |
 Garrett Mills, a former Newton County High School student and FCA student leader, tells his testimony about how he's seen FCA impact the community. |
 Cayla Engle Gilbert takes her turn at cornhole while Jimmy Nowell looks on. |
