Southwest MN Fields of Faith 2026

For over 20 years, Fields of Faith has been an FCA ministry program where athletes gather on athletic fields across the nation to challenge one another to read the Bible daily and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. What began as a local outreach has grown into a powerful movement reaching anyone, anywhere, at any time.

On October 7th, Southwest MN FCA hosted its annual Fields of Faith event. 1,500 athletes, coaches and volunteers from across Southwest Minnesota came together for a night of worship, testimony and truth!

The night began with worship, preparing hearts and minds to connect with God in a personal and powerful way. Worship was led by Dordt University’s Traveling Worship Team, who led the crowd in songs such as “Washed,” “All Hail King Jesus,” “Abide,” “The Blood” and “Goodbye Yesterday.”

God continues to use Fields of Faith to engage athletes with the Good News, equip them with God’s Word and empower them to live out the Great Commission. This year’s gathering was a beautiful reminder that when we come together in faith, God moves in extraordinary ways.

Cooper Martens of Converge, a missions ministry for students at SMSU, gave the Gospel message. Cooper opened the evening with a few stats on the Green Bay Packers. In 1958 the Packers finished their season with the worst record in the NFL; one win, ten loses, and a tie. After this devastating season the Packers hired a new coach, Vince Lombardi. By 1960 the Packers were in the NFL Championship Game against the Philedelphia Eagles, a game the Packers lost by just 4 points. Within two years the Packers had gone from being dead last to competeing for the NFL Championship!

Many would think that after such a successful season the game plan for the next season would be the exact same or perhaps at the very leas include a few "new" tactics to help the Packers gain an edge. Coach Lombardi had other plans. He grabbed a football and said to his team, "Gentleman, this is a football."

He went back to the basics of running, blocking, tackling, throwing, kicking, etc. Nothing new, just the basics. The Packers went on to win the NFL Championship in 1961, 37-0! Over the course of his career, Vince Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to 5 NFL Championships in 7 years by committing to the basics.

Our hearts are drawn to new things, but "new" doesn't always mean "best." In the same way that Vince Lombardi brought his football team back to the basics by saying, "This is a football," Cooper shared, "Ladies and gentleman, this is a Bible."

Cooper use The FOUR to share how these simple and basic truths help us to know and share the love of Jesus.

Zack L., a student huddle leader for Redwood FCA, shared his testimony.

"When I think of someone's testimony I think of a crazy, wild life somehow finding God. That is honestly the opposite of my life."

As Zack shared, we learned much about his Christian upbringing and the importance of his parents faith in his own faith journey.

Throughout high school, the FCA Camps he attended offered practical advice on how to live the life God calls us to live.

Matthew 7:13-14 took hold in Zack's heart. It reads, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

By leaning into his calling and convictions Zack learned how to live out the life God has prepared for him. Some of the ways he nurtures his relationship with Jesus include reading the Bible, praying and engaging in fellowship with like-minded believers.

Zack encouraged his peers to "Walk the path of righteousness and live out the life God has decided for you to live."

Anna T., a student huddle leader for Marshall FCA, shared her testimony.

Growing up in a Christian household where her family put God at the center taught Anna much about His great love for her. Claiming God's truth for herself however, took her through some trials.

Through middle school Anna felt like she had to change who she was to be included, and she put on a "mask" to be more interesting.

Anna shared that her high school years brought a shift in both school and sports and she recognized that she had misplaced her identity in those things.

At FCA Leadership Camp, Anna's huddle leader shared that flowers need both sunlight and rain to flourish. This connected for Anna and her faith. "This is not our home. We must abide (tolerate, endure, and remain stable and stationary)."

James 1:2-3 reads, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

Anna challenged her peers to get connected with other believers, to serve others and to grow their relationship with Jesus; to abide.