by Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
More than 100 students and about 30 adults attended the 2026 Fields of Faith gathering held recently at the Bob Reade Football Field at Geneseo High School and in the GHS main gym.
Fields of Faith is a student-led and student-driven event where young people gather to stand together against the pressures and temptations in the world and be a generation committed to reading the Bible and applying it to life. Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read God’s Word and follow Jesus Christ.
Cole Hartman, assistant pastor at Geneseo Evangelical Free Church, said the Fields of Faith gatherings are held each year on athletic fields across the United States and the world.
He said at least 100 students attended this year’s Fields of Faith at GHS, and added, “Fields of Faith is an incredible event, where students from Geneseo and surrounding schools gather to stand up and stand out for Jesus. It’s an event for all people, with a simple mission of making Jesus known, because we believe that true hope and life is only found in Him. It brings us joy to see the next generation stand out for Jesus in a bold way.”
Fields of Faith is organized each year by the Geneseo Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Theme for the gathering is “Proven.”
Cole Hartman said, “This year, our focus in FCA has surrounded the word “Proven,” which spoke to the heart of many of the struggles that teenagers are facing. They feel pressured to prove themselves at home, at school, at work, and even at church.
Focusing on John 15, we learned this year that we don’t have to prove anything, when we abide on the proven Son of God. The truth is that Jesus Christ died for our sins to prove that we needed a Savior, and that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Rather than fighting to prove ourselves, we can remain in Christ as our Lord and Savior and He is everything we need.”
Hartman continued, “Whether we know it or not, Jesus changes everything, and until we have Him, we are always missing something. God is changing lives all around the world through ministries like FCA, and teenagers are no exception. FCA is the perfect environment to connect sports with faith, and learn about the hope we have in Christ.”
“In high school, we place our hope in so many things that ultimately leave us empty and disappointed. I placed my hope in relationships and sports, only to feel frustrated and lost. The hope that we have in Jesus is eternal and permanent.”
He continued, “The Bible describes God as a God of Hope, and it describes the offering of abounding Hope through Jesus. The hope we want is not found in this world. It can only be discovered through placing our faith in Jesus. He died for my sins, and I am forgiven and made new because of Him. The amazing grace of God is where our hope comes from. Though teenagers face many challenges, we believe that the only true, genuine, and helpful escape is a personal relationship with Jesus. He changed my life and He is actively changing the lives of teenagers today.”
