It is estimated that more than 80 percent of youth who attend church will stop going to church between their seventh and 12th grade years.

Hoping to bring kids “back to the basics” of the “game plan of life,” — God’s Word — Enterprise High School will host Fields of Faith, a nationwide student-led movement to bring young people closer to faith.

Sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Fields of Faith is held annually the second Wednesday in October. This year, six Mississippi schools will host the event.

“We (Enterprise High School) were the first school in the state to sign up as a host and we’re the only one hosting it in this area,” said Suzanne Raley, volunteer adult ministry leader and huddle coach for Enterprise’s recently organized FCA Huddle (groups are known as huddles).

“It’s the National Fellowship of Christian Athletes hope that soon every school in the United States will participate in this event,” Raley said. “We considered it an unbelievable opportunity that would have been unwise to pass up.”

During the event, students gather on their school’s athletic field to hear fellow students share their testimonies, challenge them to read the Bible and to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Scheduled to speak are Kelsey Kern, a student at Northeast High School; Josh Lafferty of Quitman, a baseball player at East Central Community College; and Kara Irby, Clarke County’s Junior Miss and a student at Enterprise High School.

Guest speaker will be Lester Walls, FCA area director, Mississippi District VII. A graduate of Jackson State University with a degree in industrial arts education, Walls lettered four years in varsity football as a center at JSU and was signed with the Oakland Raiders in 1980.

“He’s a very dynamic speaker and has such a good background in this area of the state,” said Randy Swearengin, FCA area representative — Mississippi District V.

After Walls’ presentation, area coaches, ministers and youth ministers will minister to students who come forth for guidance. The event will close with students from each school coming together in huddles to pray for a spiritual revival to occur at their school.

All activities will take place on the football field. Those attending may bring lawn chairs or something to place on the grass to sit on.

“There will be no seating in the stands,” Raley said. “We don’t want it to feel like a platform, there’s no stage. As the speakers give their testimonies, they can walk among the audience.”

In case of rain, the event will be held in the school gym.

Want To Go?

What: Fields of Faith

When: Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Enterprise High School football field

Admission: None

For more information: Contact Suzanne Raley at (601) 644-0302 or (601) 479-0188 or by e-mail at suzanneraley@bellsouth.net or Randy Swearengin, (601) 934-6561 or by e-mail at rswearengin@fca.org