Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Approximately 250 people gathered at Harding Stadium Sunday evening for the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fields of Faith event, an evening of music, dance, personal testimonies and prayer led by young people from throughout the Ohio Valley.
Despite chilly temperatures, students, families, church groups and community members came together for the free event, which provided middle school and high school students an opportunity to publicly share their Christian faith and encourage their peers.
“All I can say is wow! What an incredible night!” said Bobbyjon Bauman, Steel Valley FCA ambassador, president of the Ohio Valley Youth Network and executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center.
“What an inspiration to see teenagers from across the Ohio Valley come together to sing, share their testimonies, dance, worship and lead one another in prayer,” Bauman said. “One of the most powerful moments of the evening was watching everyone join hands in a huge circle on Reno Field at Harding Stadium to pray together.”
The program featured performances by several local musicians and Valley’s Got Talent winners, including Indian Creek High School freshman Evan Conn, hip-hop artists Colby Lindloff and Lawrence Lewis, vocalists Lydia Battistel of Steubenville High School and Destiny Angelucci of St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling and Elisha Fletcher.
The Dance Force Elite, featuring Valley’s Got Talent Overall Winners Lynzee Ensell and Dalana Bove performed along with Jasmine Wooden, a four-time Valley’s Got Talent winner, presented a mime performance, while Madyson Gruszecki and Jovie Kelly performed a flag dance.
Student testimonies were shared by Jocelyn Saltzman and Bruce Mazar of Indian Creek High School, Gwen Stine of Edison High School, Camden Greiner and Ty Kalinowski of Steubenville High School and Aaron Ashby of Harding Middle School.
J.R. Lawrence Lewis served as the evening’s keynote speaker.
Fields of Faith is a national FCA initiative that encourages students to gather at athletic facilities to share their faith, read the Bible and challenge one another to follow Jesus Christ.
Although organized around student leadership, the event welcomed adults and community members who came to support the young people.
The evening concluded with attendees joining hands in a large circle on Reno Field for a time of prayer, providing a memorable conclusion to the gathering.
“I’m so thankful for every student who stepped forward to share their faith and for everyone who came out to support them,” Bauman said. “One thing is certain: God is moving in a big way in the lives of young people throughout the Ohio Valley. What an encouragement to witness it firsthand!”
Bauman said the event demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment of young people throughout the region, particularly those willing to stand before their peers and speak openly about their faith.
“To God be the glory,” he added.