Fields of Faith inspires students to share faith
MUNCIE, Ind. — Bus load after bus load of students were dropped off at the Southside Middle School football field for the 11th annual Fields of Faith, a student-led Christian event that attracted thousands on Wednesday.
Seventeen students representing three counties and nine different schools took to the stage, starting the night off with a set of worship music.
"It inspires me to watch these kids pour themselves into this for six weeks and take the stage in front of that kind of crowd," said Jeff Mosier, the Muncie area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. "It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most of them."
Fields of Faith, organized by the FCA, started in 2004, with Muncie adopting the event in 2009.
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The team of students has six weeks to prepare for the event, including preparing speeches and memorizing music.
The Muncie event has traditionally been in the Muncie Fieldhouse. Due to storm damage that left the fieldhouse unusable, however, the 2018 event was held at Worthen Arena.
With the fieldhouse work still ongoing this fall, Mosier needed to find somewhere to house up to 3,000 people.
Southside's football field was the answer.
"I'm excited just for the different feel of being outdoors, in the grass," Mosier told The Star Press before the event. "I think it's going to be a totally different feel, and I'm really excited about it."
Allannah Turner and Hannah Smith were swaying to the music at the back of the field.
Turner, who graduated from Muncie Central last year, was no stranger to the event, as her father is in charge of running music. After attending several events at the fieldhouse, she welcomed a change in venue.
"I like it. Personally, I love being around nature and being outside, so it really enhances the experience," Turner said.
While it was Smith's first time at the event, she was enjoying the outdoor venue and music.
"My favorite part has been the music. My friend is up there singing and she's doing amazing," said Smith, a Burris student.
Many spectators were wearing gray shirts with the phrase, "Let's go," written on the front.
The theme was inspired by Matthew 28, which ends with Jesus' Great Commission to spread Christianity, Mosier said.
"He told all of us that are Christ followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel," Mosier said.
To spread the message, three students came on stage to tell their own stories of faith, touching on topics of fear, embarrassment and being lost.
Lars Teal, a Wes-Del student, spoke about the fear both he and his parents felt when he needed back surgery.
Christina Sowinski of Union City High School admitted to the crowd she used to be embarrassed to discuss religion with others.
"I still had a lot of fear and I was too scared to talk to people who I didn't already know were Christians," Sowinski said. "I always kept that Jesus topic brushed under the rug."
That was, until her friend died in a tragic accident.
After that, she realized she couldn't stay in her comfort zone, challenging the crowd to reach out.
Bella Pike of Yorktown spoke about feeling lost at times, asking why so many shy away from their faith,
Her reason: societal pressure.
"There are too many people out there who would belittle and attack a Christian for (saying) what is right," Pike said. "Because there are too many sheep out there who will follow the next big thing, and they will never be constant."
Last year, former NFL player and current minor league baseball player Tim Tebow spoke to the crowd.
This year, it was Yorktown native Stephanie Bloom's turn.
The Yorktown volleyball coach and the 2018 national high school girls coach of the year was a little intimidated by following Tebow, jokingly calling her speech "Not Tim Tebow."
Bloom spoke about being unsure of her faith during difficult times, like when she learned her mother had cancer, or when her sister's fiance was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
"The question of, 'Why?' has never been answered," Bloom said. "But who God is has to be enough."
While those moments caused doubt, they also helped shape her as a person and what she believes.
The evening ended with light rain as students continued to sing.
Mosier made his way back to the stage and said, "How many of you believe Jesus deserves all the praise? Tonight, right now, I want you to help me count to 1...2...3"
As soon as the crowd chanted "three," the stage lights went off and fireworks lit up the sky, much to the crowd's surprise.
Charlotte Stefanski is a reporter at the Star Press. Contact her at 765-283-5543, cstefanski@muncie.gannett.com or follow her on twitter @CharStefanski