To unite the community on their spiritual beliefs with God, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) hosted a Fields of Faith at the high school’s football stadium, where community members gathered to hear testimonies from their peers.
Fields of Faith is meaningful to the individuals who attend because it grows their faith in God and they enjoy being in a supportive community where they feel comfortable with their relationship.
According to FCA co-advisor Tara Halikiopoulos, Fields of Faith is important to her because it builds a sense of unity, allowing students to feel they are not alone in their faith. She believes it is important for peers to connect.
“Challenge each other to do the best they can and grow spiritually with God,” Halikiopoulos said. “Bring it to people that may not be familiar with God.”
Halikiopoulos took on this leadership role in FCA because of her Christian background and her desire to be more “representative” of God.
Fields of Faith provides a safe environment for students and community members to express their relationship with God and to not feel alone in their beliefs.
According to FCA co-advisor Claire McAllister, it is an excellent opportunity for athletes and non-athletes to bond over something more than their sports and classes.
It gives them the chance to explore a connection that is much more profound.
McAllister enjoys watching students interact with each other on a spiritual level.
“It is cool to see athletes in a different realm and a different environment than just coaching them on a field,” McAllister said.
Both Halikiopoulos and McAllister feel inspired by the students to be bold in their faith.
They feel encouraged and more confident in their beliefs as students participate in events like Field of Faiths.
According to McAllister, she feels as if she would be more shy in her faith, but seeing how involved the students are has helped her be stronger in her faith, which makes Fields of Faith so meaningful to her.
“I have been so inspired by other people’s willingness to be strong in their faith,” McAllister said.
FCA consists of four student leaders and those student leaders have big responsibilities when it comes to the planning of Fields of Faith.
According to FCA senior student leader Josi Tolentino, she wants to build an emotional connection with the community that comes out to Fields of Faith.
Fields of Faith consists of two individuals giving out testimonies.
One testimony comes from a student and the other comes from a teacher.
Senior Isabella Padilla delivered the student testimony, and this year’s teacher testimony came from wellness teacher Michael Bergey.
Tolentino was excited to have Padilla as the student speaker because she is a “very outgoing girl,” and that is what she most looked forward to when attending Fields of Faith.
Padilla finds sharing her testimony so crucial because of the different churches throughout the community coming together to connect on their beliefs.
Padilla felt nervous for her testimony but also felt prepared because she shared her testimony at her baptism, and felt comfortable right as she began sharing her story with God.
Senior Julia DeCaro feels it is an opportunity to get outside her “comfort zone” and “stepping up” on her religious beliefs.
“It is good to be around friends and people in the community and just experience something like this with everyone,” DeCaro said.