Third annual Fields of Faith

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) held its Fields of Faith (FOF) nationwide night out event on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the NRHEG High School football field, located near the secondary school in New Richland. The event started at 7 p.m., but high school aged kids and some of their parents were already filtering onto the field and into the bleachers at 6:30 p.m. right after the gates opened. Stadium lights lit the event, which began after sunset.

 

Of this student-led event, Judy Tweeten said, “During the month of October the kids meet in the school once a week. This is the only night outside for the FCA.” Rhonda Staloch, who was helping to set up speakers at the foot of the bleachers said, “Tonight, like minded students will mingle in order to reach others, who will hopefully talk to even more others and bring them over to the Word. After that, we will have hot chocolate and cookies.” Jeff Jiminez, assistant coach, was also going to attend to speak to the kids.

 

Student leaders for FCA were Chloe Stork and Faith Phillips. While Stork and Phillips took time out to talk to this reporter, a group of boys took to the football field and started playing a quick game of football. Said Stork, “As an FCA leader, we want kids to get in the game, get in the book, hear God's Word and change the culture.” Her co-leader Phillips said, “I will be giving a testimonial tonight. We have to let everyone know, whatever challenges you have, the Bible is a great way to get answers.” When asked what part of the Bible beginning readers might want to turn to, both girls replied, “The New Testament, Psalms because there are so many different verses.”

 

This will be New Richland’s third year for the FCA. Tweeten said, “We had to take a break for Covid, but we’re back now. We were averaging 30 kids a night, but there’s more coming every time.” Tonight, there were 58 students attending and 15 adults. Phillips added her favorite Bible verse, “Psalm 16:8, 'I know the Lord is with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.'” Phillips went to play volleyball as Stork ran onto the football field with a few other girls to mingle with the boys. Somehow, Stork got a football thrown to her, she caught it, screamed, then took the football and threw it into the touchdown area where it landed on the ground as she began running toward the other end of the field because she didn’t want to be tackled. In unison all the boys had their arms out at their sides as if to ask, “What was that?” But the smiles on all their faces were genuine, any teasing was good-natured and there were plenty of laughs to go around.

 

Fields of Faith was first established in 1954 by Don McClanen, who was frustrated by professional athletes endorsing cigarettes and shaving cream. He wanted to get athletes on board fighting to get the Word of God out there. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an international non-profit Christian sports ministry based in Kansas City. The organization operates in 115 countries.