DAPHNE, Ala. — Hundreds of Daphne High students will gather at Jubilee Stadium at 6 p.m. tonight — joining students from 400 schools across the country — to participate in Fields of Faith, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ rally that assembles students to give testimonials and share their Christian faith.

What separates Fields of Faith from most other spiritual rallies is that, instead of an entertainer or professional speaker, students lead the ministry.

Since the first ‘Fields’ in 2004, more than 200,000 students have participated. Last year, more than 100,000 students gathered on athletic fields across 35 states.

“The impact of Fields of Faith has been incredible,” Fellowship President Les Steckel said. “When communities stand together on their school’s athletic field for the common purpose of praising God, hearts are opened and lives are changed.”

“It’s not just those numbers that have FCA organizers excited about Fields of Faith,” event coordinator Alisa Lowery said. “It’s the real-life impact that these gatherings are having on young people.”

During last year’s Fields, 2,329 students made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ; 4,532 recommitted their lives to Christ; and 9,617 committed to reading the Bible daily.

‘Fields’ began with Jeff Martin, a Fellowship staffer, who was inspired by an Old Testament reference in Chronicles 2:34. In the scripture, King Josiah, an influential adolescent, gathered his followers and challenged them to study the Bible.

“Throughout history, God has sparked great spiritual awakenings through young people,” Martin said. “And that is the power of what we are trying to accomplish through Fields of Faith.”

In 2004, Martin’s vision was actualized as 6,000 students in three states gathered on school athletic fields for the series’ inaugural event.

“That was the beginning of what has become one of the most significant faith-related gatherings of students in a single day,” Lowery said.

“This is not just another event; it’s a change in culture,” Martin said. “We need a generation that is committed to reading the Bible and applying it as their game plan for life. That is the challenge — the heartbeat of Fields of Faith.”

Last year, nearly 150 Daphne High students gathered to share how praying for help during troubled times has helped them stay atop their studies.

Others shared how they’ve relied on spirituality to cope with peer pressure and temptations like premarital sex and using drugs and alcohol.

At last year’s event, senior Andrew Castillow said distractions like cell phones and mp3 players had consumed his free time, but gaining a firm spiritual foundation gave him more fulfillment than could electronic gadgets’ instant gratification.

“We have let little gods completely consume us,” he said. “I challenge you to — instead of answering a text message — pick up a Bible and read a verse. There’s only one God that can give you hope, only one.”

Hope, students said, has been a guiding force in coping with peer pressure.

“We are confronted with temptations every day, former Trojan Sydney Petite said. “You have to be able to stand strong in your faith.”

Senior Chris Piercie said he was distraught after losing his grandmother and was challenged by loneliness; after praying for guidance, Piercie said he felt relief and found understanding.

“I was like, ‘God, what am I going to do?’” he said. “I felt alone. My message is God does stuff for a reason. The door to heaven will be open to you if you knock.”

While Fields is rooted in Fellowship leadership, the series aims to include multiple national Christian organizations, ministries and church denominations.

A local leadership team, primarily comprised of students, will determine the program of each ‘Fields’ event.

“Athletic fields provide a neutral and familiar spot for students to assemble,” Steckel said. “Many nights are spent on those fields cheering on local teams, but on this particular night the praise belongs to God.”

For more info, visit www.southalabamafca.org or FieldsofFaith.com.