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Madison County students will be joining thousands of other youth on athletic fields all across the nation, sharing their faith, during the month of October through the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ seventh annual Fields of Faith event on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., at Madison County High School’s Boot Hill Stadium.
While many Christian rallies are anchored to an entertainer or professional speaker that creates a spectator event, Fields of Faith is structured as a student-to-student ministry. Peers invite their own classmates and teammates to meet on their school’s athletic field to hear fellow students share their testimonies, challenge them to read the Bible and to come to faith in Jesus Christ.
“Fields of Faith is an impactful event for students and adults alike,” said Madison County native, FCA North Florida Representative Steve McHargue. “Last year, over 1,000 people attended the event locally to hear students sharing their personal testimonies and encouraging each other in their walk with God. Following the event, students gathered throughout the county at their schools before class or during lunch to read from the book of John and pray. It’s incredible and encouraging! Our young people realize there is more to this life and that God has a plan for them.
The national growth of Fields of Faith has been remarkable. Since the beginning of Fields of Faith in 2004, more than a million people have joined the movement. In 2015 alone, more than 189,000 students gathered on 526 fields to participate in the event
It’s not just those numbers that have FCA organizers excited about Fields of Faith. It’s the real-life impact that these gatherings have on young people. Last year’s series of events saw nearly 6,000 students make first-time faith commitments to follow Jesus Christ; 6,647 recommitted their life to Christ and 7,376 committed to reading the Bible daily.
Fields of Faith began with an idea from Jeff Martin, FCA’s Executive Vice President of Ministry Programs and Resources, who conceived the concept from an Old Testament reference in 2 Chronicles: 34, after searching how to help today’s generation of students face spiritual battles and temptations. In the scripture, King Josiah, an influential teenager very similar to Fields of Faith attendees today, gathered his people and challenged them to read the Bible. As a result, they changed their culture.
“Every year we are amazed at what God does in stadiums across the country,” said Martin. “Entire communities unite, and lives are changed for eternity right there on the athletic fields. We are excited to see how God will move again through His Word and His people this October. Fields of Faith challenges this generation to be committed to reading the Bible and living a transformed life for Jesus Christ,” said Martin. “It’s students challenging students, peers challenging peers and that’s the heart and soul of Fields of Faith.
In 2004, the Josiah-influenced dream came true when 6,000 students gathered on school athletic fields throughout three states for the first Fields of Faith event. That was the beginning of what has become one of the most significant faith-related gathering of students in a single day.
While Fields of Faith has its roots with FCA leadership, the event is designed to include multiple national Christian organizations, local churches and ministries. A local leadership team will determine the program of each Fields of Faith event.
More information about Fields of Faith is available at www.FieldsofFaith.com. To learn more about the event in Madison County, contact Steve McHargue by e-mail at smchargue@fca.org.