By: Ava Griggs
Fields of faith is a yearly, student-led event of all the counties Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, where young people gather together to stand against pressures and temptations in our world. It is put together by the counties FCA teen leaders and sponsors, and held on one of their football fields each year. It is used to grow relationships with Christ, and community with those from other schools. There are games, prayer, scripture reading, music, student testimonies, and a speaker. This year’s Fields of Faith is held at Fort Payne High School on Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 6:30. I was able to interview our Area Representative, Emily Webb, this week, as well as some of the teens involved with this year’s Fields of Faith.
Emily’s senior year she became a student leader at her school. She didn’t know much about FCA outside of her little school until she went to Fields of Faith. There, she remembers hearing students her age sharing their testimonies of how the Lord had worked in their life. She saw so many people worshiping and praying to the Lord. It encouraged her so much that other students her age loved the Lord as well and she felt like they were letting the Lord guide their lives more than she was letting Him guide her life. She was convicted, because she wasn’t where she needed to be with the Lord. She was a lukewarm Christian. She then went to FCA Camp that year knowing she needed to grow closer to the Lord. After surrendering everything to the Lord, she admitted for the first time to someone that she felt the Lord calling her into the ministry. Now as the area rep, she is able to meet so many incredible students who love the Lord, and she has the opportunity to witness them walking in obedience to the Lord. God has allowed her to be in this position to empower others with the Gospel and to watch God create them into leaders who are on mission to bring people to the Lord. She is incredibly humbled and grateful to be able to be such a small part of that and the immense joy she has to be able to witness God work in so many ways. This is what Fields of Faith could also do to someone like you. I asked Emily what she thinks the main goal of Fields of Faith is, and she stated, “The main goal of fields of faith is to bring the community together and empower students to proclaim the Gospel through worship, testimonies, scripture, and prayer. FCA’s mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. Any way to do so is a win! The burden the student leaders have for their community is admirable and the boldness to share the Gospel is amazing!” Next I asked her what the preparation is like for Fields of Faith. She responded with, “Prep includes lots of prayer and guidance from the Lord, raising financial support, securing a location, working with students on testimonies and worship, planning set up and break down, planning the schedule for the night, marketing and promoting the event, preparing for the response time, organizing volunteer and student leader roles, planning for the tailgate party, making sure we have sound equipment and a slide presentation, working with the main speaker, communicating with board members on roles, and much more!” Lastly I asked her what her favorite part of Fields of Faith is, and she said “Having the opportunity to plan for the event with God and not for Him and then sit back and watch the Lord move. God continues to blow me away with His intentionality as I look to Him for guidance. Being on mission for Jesus alongside so many incredible student leaders and volunteers is amazing. To see each individual humbly be the hands and feet of Christ and we work together to build His Kingdom. Wow oh wow is God so so good!”
Next I interviewed one of my fellow worship team members, Addie Kate Higdon, from Plainview High School. She joined the FCA worship team because she knew one of her spiritual gifts was music and singing and she felt called to use that gift in another way that would bring honor and glory to God. She also knew how much of an impact the worship at FCA events have had on her in the past, and she wanted to be able to bless others in that way. I asked Addie Kate how music plays a role in Fields of Faith and she said “I believe Fields of Faith is an amazing event and I feel that worship, at this event especially, is very moving. The first Fields of Faith event I attended, the worship was extremely moving because I felt like the Holy Spirit was moving through the worship time and invitation. Overall, I think worship plays a huge role in Fields of Faith.” Next I asked Addie if she is nervous before singing at FCA events, and if she is how she deals with that. She responded with “I do get nervous for almost every event that I sing at. However, I know these nerves are temporary and I overcome them through prayer, and talking to other people before the event. Oftentimes, Satan will try to tell me lies to try and get me to believe them before events such as,” You can’t even sing good,” but I know that I make my Heavenly Father proud and that’s all that matters. I like to cling to Psalm 98:4, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Ultimately, I overcome my nerves by knowing that all God wants is praise!” Lastly, I asked her her favorite part of Fields of Faith and she said, “I would have to say that my favorite part of Fields of Faith is the invitation/altar call/ prayer time. It’s really moving and such a blessing to see all the people coming forward to pray and some to give their life to Jesus. I am reminded that God wants us just as we are! And how we can pray to Him for whatever we need!”
Lastly, I interviewed one of the brave teens sharing her testimony, Lilley Frost, from Plainview. She realized she needed to take a step out in her faith and hopefully her testimony would be an encouragement to others. She thinks it’s a “boring” testimony, but she realized the various experiences people have in their lives may seem irrelevant on their own, but together, they’re leading you toward something meaningful that you can use to glorify God. I asked Lilley if she has any nerves about sharing such an emotional declaration to others her age, and if she does how does she get over them? Her response was “I really don’t get nervous when sharing to people my age, I do it all the time. I believe a lot of students, especially my age, can relate to my testimony, but the adults make me nervous. I feel like it’s so much easier to talk to someone my age, but people older than me are a little more difficult. The only way I have found to get over my nerves is to pray, and let God do his work through me.” Lastly, I also asked her what her favorite part of Fields of Faith is and she said, “My favorite part is the worship music. I love music, and it really brings me so much joy when a whole stadium is praising the Lord together.”
As you can see Fields of Faith is not only a big deal to Collinsville, but those all around the county. Each year there are dozens of teens who give their life to Jesus. This event is not limited to teens not in FCA. We welcome all who are wanting to come worship. Therefore, if you are a parent, a friend, or just wanting to see what Fields of Faith is all about, you are welcome!
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