Fields of Faith event planned for tonight

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes will take the football field today, and they won't be left standing on the sidelines.

The high school faith-based group is inviting schools, students, religious organizations and individuals to "challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ." This is Sikeston's first year of hosting Fields of Faith.

"We are so excited for Fields of Faith to take place (today)," said Dana Self of Sikeston Junior High, who has experienced the event in her hometown of Paragould, Ark. "To watch it happen this year is so special to me... FCA was a vital part of shaping my own faith in high school, and to see Fields of Faith coming from the students at Sikeston High School that are actively involved with FCA is just amazing."

According to Jennifer Hodgkiss, a sponsor of the high school's FCA, some religious organizations are even redirecting their Wednesday services from the church to the field.

Fields of Faith is a student-led event that started in 2004, according to the its website. But before then, the movement was just a dream.

In 2002, Oklahoma Fellowship of Christian Athletes Area Director Jeff Martin "prayed about what to do with his heartfelt frustration regarding the temptations and spiritual battles facing our more 'spectator generation.'" According to the Fields of Faith website, God had inspired the director to read an Old Testament passage of Josiah, King of Judah, for answers.

The Fields of Faith website describes Josiah as: "An influential teenager that gathered his people and challenged them to read God's word. As a result, they changed their culture." For a more illustrated version, the passage of Josiah can be found in 2 Chronicles: 34.

Martin was unavailable for comment.

When it comes to non-Christians, the "FCA welcomes anyone and everyone to participate in its events," said Hodgkiss. "Fields of Faith is an event where all attendees will hear positive and encouraging words from fellow students, college athletes and caring adults.

Since 2004, Fields of Faith has been hosted in over 526 fields with more than 189,000 attendees in 41 states and two countries.

"The group of kids that have led in putting this together are proof that we have a core group of students that are not just a spectator generation." Self said. "They desire to actively live out their faith in Christ.

Fields of Faith is scheduled from 7-8 p.m. at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.