Keynote Speakers: Jameson Reeder, Jr & Jameson Reeder, Sr
Jameson Reeder, Jr and his dad, share a powerful message of courage, faith, and purpose that has impacted audiences across the nation and around the world.
Their story gained international attention through their bestselling book Rescue at the Reef: The Miraculous True Story of a Little Boy with Big Faith. At just 10 years old, Jameson Jr. was attacked by a massive bull shark while snorkeling in the Florida Keys. The shark claimed his leg, and by all accounts, his life should have been lost—but God had other plans. Jameson Jr. is a miracle.
In the face of overwhelming fear and unimaginable pain, he chose courage. Just four days later, from his hospital bed, he asked his father, “Can we go back to the reef… so I can face my fears?”
His story has been described by professional surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton as “an incredibly inspiring story and an amazing reminder of hope.”
Today, Jameson Jr. continues to pursue surfing, baseball, track & field, and rock climbing. Through the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), he has trained alongside Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists, living out resilience with joy and determination.
But what makes this story even more powerful is not just what happened in the water—it’s what was built long before it.
Raised by Jameson and Mary Reeder, who are intentionally leading their five children to walk by faith and not by sight, Jameson Jr. was equipped with a foundation that held firm under pressure. He didn’t rise to the moment—he fell back on what had been built within him.
That same biblical pathway is the foundation of Urban Village, the missional discipleship movement Jameson leads—helping people move from the moral sidelines to the missional frontlines to bring light into a dark world.
Together, father and son now steward a national platform, sharing a message of hope and healing to a hurting world.
Their message is clear: face fear, find freedom, and move forward by faith.
We are honored to welcome Jameson Reeder and Jameson Reeder Jr. as our keynote speakers for the Lake Norman FCA Banquet.
Banquet Information
Keynote Speaker: Michael & Stacy Sweeney
Michael and Stacy Sweeney are longtime FCA Home Team supporters whose lives were shaped by the ministry during their high school and college years. Their passion for sharing the hope of Christ extends deeply into both their family and community. The Sweeneys are parents to nine children—six through adoption—and have fostered fourteen more, many of whom came from traumatic backgrounds. Their search for effective, non‑pharmaceutical healing options led them to therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen treatment and neurofeedback, which brought significant improvement within their own home.
This personal journey inspired them to expand their mission by founding OPTIVets, a nonprofit offering no‑cost, science‑based trauma recovery for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Their 12‑week program uses advanced therapies to promote brain healing and emotional regulation. Veterans in the program have described the experience as life‑changing, noting regained hope, improved clarity, and relief from long‑standing trauma symptoms.
As small‑business owners and ministry‑minded leaders, Michael and Stacy model how local families and businesses can use their resources to serve others. Their work beautifully aligns with FCA’s mission to bring the hope and love of Christ to coaches and athletes across our community.
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