November 2024

Southwest MN FCA's Fields of Faith

was held on October 9th at SMSU REC.

Fields of Faith is an FCA certified ministry program where athletes gather at sport environments in their communities to challenge their peers to read the Bible daily and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. 

For over 20 years, God has used Fields of Faith to help athletes be engaged with the Good News, equipped with God's Word, and empowered with the Great Commission.

Today, the movement of Fields of Faith has grown to reach anyone, anywhere, at any time.

What happens at Fields of Faith?

• Worship! We worship to prepare hearts and minds to connect with God on a personal level.
• Testimonies! Athletes share their testimony and a speaker shares his/her personal testimony, the Gospel, and a Bible reading challenge. 
• Response! Attendees can respond to how God is moving in their hearts, receive prayer, and take next steps on the invitations presented. 

Student Leaders from across Southwest MN lead Fields of Faith for their peers. This year they welcomed over 600 athletes, coaches, and volunteers from across Southwest Minnesota! They worshipped together singing songs like "Praise," "Battle Belongs," "Graves Into Gardens," and "I Thank God," all led by a student worship band!

Marshall FCA's student leader, Aubrey, gave her testimony of how she struggled with insecurity and lack of confidence. She shared that she was trying so hard to earn God's salvation for herself. She shared that during 2023's Fields of Faith event her heart was open to hearing and understanding the Good News. She learned that her salvation was bought for her by Jesus and that the only "work" she needed to do was to be obedient to His call on her life. She quoted John 3:31 which reads, "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all." This verse taught Aubrey that she isn't to be for the world, but for Jesus.

YME's student leader, Keira, shared her testimony as well. She grew up going to church, but never really connected with who Jesus was for her. She dealt with depression and anxiety and sought restoration in many worldly places. At her lowest, she turned to Jesus, surrendered her burdens, immersed herself in the Bible, and pursued Him through prayer. He quickly became her home and her peace amidst the chaos of life. She encouraged others experiencing hardships to seek the Lord first, not as a last resort. Jesus loves you, the Bible tells us this over and over. Keira left the crowd with Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

The Marshall High School student huddle leaders shared a moving skit about the work that God does in and through us when we accept Jesus into our hearts. Each of them claimed a shift in perspective such as moving from worry to peace, insecurity to confidence, and being scared of the future to trusting in God's plan, just to name a few. Megan Woods' song, "Truly Loved" played as they silently displayed their changed perspectives.

Matt Lundeen, Redwood Valley Teacher and Football Coach, gave the message of the evening. Coach Lundeen grew up going to FCA family camps and sports camp, where he gave his life to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He shared that the ministry of FCA is quite special to him as it taught him how to live as a Christian athlete and continues to teach him how to live as a husband and father, as a teacher, and as a coach. He acknowledged that this world tries to give you a lot of false messages about who you are and followed it up with the truth. "You are a child of the God we serve! He loves you! He created you special. You are not a mistake! He desires to spend time with you, walk with you, and talk with you."

Coach Lundeen spent time encouraging, challenging, and equipping kids with Scripture.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

He asked each of us to really think about what John 3:16 means. "God sent his one and only Son to die for you and me. He lived a perfect life and died a terrible death, for you and me. Why? Because he loves us! That's fundamental!"

John 14:6 reads, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He challenged kids with questions like, "What are you consuming?, How are your thoughts? Is your life glorifying God?, What habits have you adopted into your life that don't line up with Scripture?, How are you doing at living our your faith?, and Do you have faith?"

Coach Lundeen made it abundantly clear that it's okay to have questions and he encouraged all to "Come!" Jesus wants us to get to know him and in order to do that we have to start learning about the fundamentals and asking the questions that come to mind when we read Scripture.

Coach ended the evening by asking those who are either struggling with their faith or new to their faith to find a reliable mentor like himself, a parent, a huddle coach, a youth leader, or pastor to pray with them and over them.

At each Fields of Faith event an invitation is presented to all in attendance to read Scripture daily. This year, Southwest MN FCA was encouraged to read through the Gospel of John over the next 21 days together. The goal is to create a habit of being in God's Word daily. Athletes, coaches, and volunteers were encouraged to follow swmnfca on Instagram where daily chapter synopses would be written by their peers.

Thank you to our Team 2024 Sponsors, the Southwest MN FCA Event Team, and all of the vounteers who give of their time and talents to make this event possible.

Photo Credit: Abby Boerboom Photography

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

UPCOMING SWMN FCA EVENTS:

Volleyball Tournament 11/15/24

Coaches Banquet 2/2/25



Jr. Sports Camp 6/5/25

If you're not currently giving to Southwest MN FCA and would like

to be added to our team, please click the QR code above to donate!

Your support is greatly appreciated.

 ROBIN KNUDSON rknudson@fca.org

SW MN Area Director

WENDY GRAVEN  wgraven@fca.org

SW MN Administrative Assistant