FORTVILLE — Hancock County’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes groups plan an evening of games, worship and a guest speaker designed to encourage students in their faith.
Fields of Faith is set for April 28 at Mt. Vernon High School.
“It’s open to all, free to all,” said Nick Holliday, FCA coordinator for Hancock County. “We encourage anyone who wants to gather for a community night of worship and a great testimony to come.”
Group games such as nine square, can jam, gaga ball and cornhole will be set up in the school’s auxiliary gym. After time for informal connection there, those gathered will shift to the main gym for speakers and music by the band Attaboy.
This year’s keynote speaker is Kevin Atlas, who became the first athlete missing a limb to earn a Division I basketball scholarship.
Several students will also share brief remarks. Andrew Boldt, a junior who plays baseball for Mt. Vernon, will be one of them. He’s part of the FCA group that meets weekly in the cafeteria during homeroom time. Student leaders often share a devotion with the group of about 60, and then smaller groups meet at tables to discuss related questions.
He said it’s been good to make those faith-filled connections with classmates.
“Seeing everyone in the hallways, you can kind of have conversations, and it’s a safe place to talk,” he said.
He found even wider connection at last year’s Fields of Faith, as he met students from other schools. “We had about 300 people show up … It was lots of fun, and the atmosphere was great, especially for the fact that it had to be moved inside.”
Organizers anticipate about 400 people at this year’s event.
Middle schools and high schools in the Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central and Mt. Vernon districts have FCA groups.
The New Palestine district doesn’t have one, but Holliday hopes one could form there and complement the weekly Christian groups already meeting before school at New Palestine schools. Holliday has been a guest speaker at the New Pal Life group at New Palestine High School, for example, and speaks well of it.
He thinks Atlas’ story of overcoming obstacles can resonate with people of various ages and hopes many will check out the event.
“Just because we worship at different churches or different places, it’s the same God and we can come together on occasion,” he said. “I just want to show the county there’s organizations out here like FCA that really care about the community and care about their relationship with Jesus.
“The ultimate goal is just for people to come together and have this great time of worship and truly glorify God with the night.”
FIELDS OF FAITH
When: 5-8 p.m. April 28
Where: Mt. Vernon High School
Featuring: Food, games, Attaboy concert, keynote by Kevin Atlas
Cost: Free, but ticket is needed; find it at www.indyfca.org/fields-of-faith
