In the fall, Badger Stadium is usually reserved for helmet-cracking and touchdown celebrations, but on Oct. 8 students and athletes will trade their playbooks and programs for Bibles at the fifth annual "Fields of Faith" outreach event.

Beginning at 7 p.m., Lampasas High School students will converge on the field to share their Christian faith with peers in a student-tostudent outreach ministry. But they will not be alone.

More than 400 different fields across the country will host the event simultaneously, with thousands of students expected to participate.

"Athletic fields provide a neutral and familiar spot for students to assemble," FCA president Les Steckel said. "Many nights are spent on those fields cheering on local teams, but on this particular night the praise belongs to God."

The event began in 2004 with 6,000 people gathering at 23 sites in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Last year, approximately 75,000 students took part on 386 fields located all across the country.

Oklahoma Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Jeff Martin originated the idea af- ter reading in the Bible about King Josiah, an influential teenager who brought together his followers and challenged them to read the Word of God.

"Throughout history, God has sparked great spiritual awakening through young people, and that is the power of what we are trying to accomplish through Fields of Faith," Martin said. "It goes beyond its appearance of a one-night rally on an athletic field. It goes to the heart of the future of a nation.

"It's not just another event; it's a change in culture."

Last year, 1,852 students made first-time commitments to Christ during the event, Martin said, while 4,089 recommitted to Christ and 9,149 vowed to read the Bible daily.

More information on the event can be found at FieldsOfFaith.com. Locally, interested parties can contact Lampasas ISD Athletic Director Joey McQueen at mcqueenjo@ lampasas.k12.tx.us to learn more about the proceedings at Badger Stadium.