By Emily Hughitt:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ goal is “to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church.” Every year, FCA holds Fields of Faith, an event to reach a new generation of high school and college students for Christ.
This year, Fields of Faith will be held for Howard Payne University students on campus at Mim’s Pergola on Monday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.
FCA will also hold the Brownwood Fields of Faith at Gordon Wood Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m., for local middle and high schools.
Fields of Faith is a nationwide event where youth can come together as one to worship God, share the gospel, and invite people to make decisions.
This year’s Fields of Faith speaker is Zach Randalls, pastor of Waterfront Church in Washington D.C. Worship will be led by Flourish Music from Austin.
Heartland Area Representative for FCA, Kurt Newton, said he believes there will be around two to three thousand students at Gordon Wood Stadium this year, like years in the past.
“FCA estimates that between 70 and 80% of high school students are unchurched nationally,” said Newton. “It’s the same here.”
Newton said that not only have many students never been to church, but they may also be unaware of who Jesus is.
“Fields of Faith gives us an opportunity,” said Newton. “They come. Their friends come. A lot of them have never heard the name Jesus before. A lot of them have never heard the gospel shared before. A lot of them have never heard that Jesus died on the cross for them before.”
Newton said he believes this may be students’ only opportunity to learn about Christ’s love for them.
“This gives us an opportunity to plant that seed and to share the gospel with them,” said Newton. “They may not ever hear it, if they don’t hear it there.”
Aubrey Greaves, a senior at Early High School and huddle leader for Early FCA said she has seen Christ change people through encounters at Fields of Faith.
“I have seen Fields of Faith affect others by planting a seed in their hearts,” said Greaves. “I think it’s a great place where a seed can be planted in their lives. Hopefully they can continue in their faith, with the help of others, because we, as disciples, are to help others along their walk with Christ.”
Many students are impacted by Fields of Faith every year, and many students decide to accept Jesus as their Savior or commit to following him more closely.
“My favorite thing about Fields of Faith is watching the kids pour out of the stands and spread out all over the field, listening and sharing what decision they want to make. It’s breathtaking,” said Greaves.
College students and other adults are invited to be encouragers at Gordon Wood stadium. Encouragers will help guide students to understanding the decisions they may want to make.
HPU sophomore bible major and youth intern at Early FBC Brayden Folkers said being an encourager gave him an opportunity to speak to students he would otherwise never even meet.
“I love doing it because I get to talk with students who I would never have the opportunity to speak to otherwise, and share the gospel with them,” said Folkers.
Anyone who is interested in being an encourager can contact Kurt Newton at knewton@fca.org or call (325) 217-8147
Photo of Yellow Jacket editor Emily Hughitt