Fields of Faith

When it comes to sports, we understand the dedication and sacrifices that are necessary to be competitive.

It's much the same way in a walk of faith. Being committed to God takes dedication and sacrifice, too.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization attempts to blend Christian values into the athletic arena.

The FCA will hold a Fields of Faith rally at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers predict the attendance will likely top the 1,100 who attended in 2011 and the 900 who attended the event in Jackson last year. A similar event was held last week in Poplar Bluff.

Scott Sanders, a Central teacher and coach, is organizing the event with several others.

He said the FCA's purpose "is to provide the student athlete with a platform to influence his or her classmates.

"They're expected to be a competitor in every sense of the word but not be solely focused on winning. Whether the outcome is a win or a loss, their first audience is God."

We live in a society that loves its sports and puts athletes on pedestals. The FCA, through its Christian teachings, teaches humility to our young men and women, valuable lessons for our athletes as they build and use their bodies for competition.

Messages of faith and humility are a good balance to the hypercompetitive atmosphere that athletes are exposed to in sports. Fields of Faith will serve to advance Christian values on and off the playing field.