PHOTO BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Students gather in prayer groups during Fields of Faith, an inter-denominational Fellowship of Christian Athletes event held last week at Badger Field, as Badger head football coach Joey McQueen looks on. Scores of Lampasas athletes and students took to Badger Field last week to celebrate victory. A spiritual one, that is.

A large crowd of students joined in singing worship songs and sharing their Christian testimonies as part of Fields of Faith, a nationwide, inter-denominational Fellowship of Christian Athletes event.

Begun in 2004, Fields of Faith is designed to bring teenagers together at athletic venues to discuss the Bible and their Christian lives. Badger head football coach Joey McQueen and his wife Vickie, a sixth-grade teacher at Lampasas Middle School, helped organize the event, the third annual Fields of Faith gathering in Lampasas.

After an opening prayer, Lampasas High School senior and tennis player Lillie Davis discussed her favorite Scripture passage, 1 Corinthians 15:56- 58. The Scripture verses speak of victory through Christ and the need to stand steadfastly through faith.

Those biblical words encourage Miss Davis, she said, when she faces pressure from peers.

"I just encourage y'all to stand firm and work for the Lord," she said. "If you work unto Him, it's not in vain."

Seventh-grader Tyler Connell then shared his testimony. Since committing himself fully to God during a summer camp, Tyler said he has been more active in prayer and in service through his church. Following Jesus also has helped him be at peace with his classmates, he said.

"I just think if people would have more faith in God, He would guide them in the right direction," Tyler said.

Varsity cheerleader Alyssa Castle, an LHS senior, discussed how she came to believe in Jesus after she began attending church with a friend. Tearyeyed, she talked about how following Christ has helped her love others and treat her fellow students more kindly than she used to.

"I just want everybody to have this happiness and joy I have from my Savior," Miss Castle said.

New Covenant Church junior high pastor Robert Lindsey also spoke to Fields of Faith participants, using the biblical account of David and Goliath in a call for bold faith in God.

Although Goliath stood about nine feet tall, David challenged him and trusted in God when the Philistine soldier mocked God and Israel's army, Lindsey said. The pastor urged youth to rely on Christ as they confront "giants" -- such as dysfunctional family situations, drugs and temptations at school -- that Lindsey said youth face every day.

"Faith is to know your Jesus is standing right there through the worst day you can have in high school or junior high," Lindsey said. "Never let your past determine your future."

After Lindsey's message and additional songs, led by School Creek Baptist Church music director Alicia Straley and First United Methodist Church youth director Kayla Mury, students circled together in groups on the football field. Participants prayed for their schools, the city of Lampasas and each other.