Young Christian Athletes Pack Stadiums Across the Nation to Preach Jesus
In a movement to shake the nation, students are gathering together across America in sports fields to share the message of Jesus to their community. The bold, impassioned followers of Jesus are coming together Wednesday night to share their testimonies of being transformed from darkness to light with their community.
The event, ‘Fields of Faith’ takes place every year with the mission to change a culture that is riddled with depression, anxiety and hopelessness by sharing the gospel. The student-led outreach with Fellowship of Christian Athletes was birthed in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma FCA Director Jeff Martin prayed and asked God what to do about the frustration he was having regarding the temptations and spiritual battles the young generation was facing. God brought Martin to 2 Chronicles 34 to read about King Josiah who was only eight years old when he began to reign.
Josiah was one of the kings who did right in the eyes of God. He had the altars for idol worship torn down, cleansed Judah and Jerusalem and restored true worship.
2 Chronicles 34:33 says, “So Josiah took away all the detestable things from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel and caused all who were found in Israel to serve their Lord God. And all his days they did not turn away from the Lord God of their fathers.”
Martin’s dream of having these events nationwide started in 2004. “What started out as a thought and a prayer has turned into a huge national event, all through the power of Christ,” Martin says.
Great turnout at FCA Fields of Faith here in @HaysCISD #FOF22 pic.twitter.com/TKebWU1ljV
— Jack C. Hays High School Hawks Football (@hayshawksfb) October 13, 2022
Since then, a quarter of a million people have come to the athletic fields to pray and worship. Students and parents are hearing the gospel and giving their lives to Jesus. The main goal is to get people plugged back into the church. Over the past decade a Pew Research study shows that the number of people who identify as Christian has gone down 12%.
Orange County FCA Director Mark Rickman says this is the time for students nationwide to invite their lost friends to come to know Jesus and how much He loves them. “It’s so important because now in public schools all the things they are facing, day in and day out, they don’t hear that,” Rickman says.
Tearing down denominational lines, their message is neutral in its position with the hope of unifying the church around one common purpose, to spread the message of Jesus throughout the country.
This is the first year back since the COVID pandemic and it’s more important now than ever to show people where they can find hope for their life and future.
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Shelby Lindsay is an assistant editor for Charisma Media.
