Living the Mission: Challenged by the Gospel, Atalia Ramirez, ’13,

For Atalia Ramirez, ’13, soccer has always been more than a game. Today, it serves as a bridge—connecting her with young people, creating opportunities for mentorship, and opening doors to share the Gospel. 

After graduating from FPD, Atalia played soccer in college. While the sport had always been a central part of her life, she also felt a growing call toward ministry. For a time, those two passions seemed separate. She loved the game, but she also felt drawn to serving others and sharing her faith. 

"I've always felt led to be a missionary," Atalia said. "I just didn't know what it was going to look like." 

It wasn't until later that she realized those callings didn't have to compete with one another. Atalia currently works with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Santa Ana, California, where she uses soccer as a platform to build relationships and share the Gospel. Her days are spent coaching, mentoring student leaders, and investing in young people from all walks of life. Much of her ministry takes place in urban neighborhoods where gang violence and difficult circumstances are a reality for many of the kids she serves. 

"The goal is to create a safe place for the kids outside of what they're used to," she said. "And then just be an example of Christ." 

Soccer provides the connection point. Whether she's working with elementary students through FCA, coaching high school soccer, or working with college players, the game creates opportunities for conversations and building relationships.  

Looking back, Atalia believes God used her years at FPD to prepare her for a life of ministry. 

"FPD was one of the first places where soccer and Christianity really meshed together," she said. 

One of the people who helped model that for her was longtime soccer coach Josh Trieste. While many coaches she encountered in club soccer were intense and demanding, Coach Trieste modeled something different. He showed her that athletics could be competitive while still being rooted in character, integrity, and faith. 

"He showed me what a safe place looks like in the sports world," Atalia said. 

Atalia also remembers being exposed to community service, mission opportunities, and Christian mentorship during her time at FPD. Those experiences broadened her perspective and introduced her to ways faith could be lived out beyond the classroom. 

Now, more than a decade after graduating, Atalia is living out a calling she never could have imagined as a student. She is using the gifts God gave her to serve others, build relationships, and share the hope of the Gospel using a soccer ball to open a door.