Fields of Faith inspires, brings together students and community

Sophomore cross country and track athlete Lauren Duncan, joins fellow athletes in displaying signs of how God has touched their lives. “As athletes we have that platform,” said Duncan. “And to share the love of Jesus Christ.” (Andrew Kuhn/Staff Photographer)

Gathered on the bleachers of Kelly/Shorts Stadium on a mildly cold Tuesday night, students and others from around the community gathered to share their faith in Christ.

The CMU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes held the event at the stadium to give it a greater meaning, CMU football wide receiver Cody Wilson said to the crowd of about 400.

“People praise athletes, but it’s really cool people are praising God,” the Rochester Hills senior said.

The event featured a live band playing songs to the crowd, with the words to the songs on the jumbo-tron so the crowd could sing along. It also featured people giving their testimonies about how God inspires their lives.

DeWitt sophomore Levi Lantz said an event like this on campus was really exciting.

“It was kind of amazing that young people would bring together an event like this to encourage Christianity and for recreational fun,” he said.

He came with his family, including his mother and sisters. One of his sisters sang in the live band at the event.

Lantz’s mother, Dorcas Cordero, also from DeWitt, said bringing God to CMU is a good thing.

“We want to be a part of what God is doing here at CMU,” she said. “It’s really cool the next generation is getting in touch with their creator.”

Hillsdale junior Sarah Lovinger said she recently found her faith in Christ and said the event was an interesting way to worship.

“Worshiping outside of the church is more welcoming to people and a cool way to get people involved,” she said.

She said she recently found her faith after battling anxiety and depression in her life.

“It’s a newer thing,” she said. “I was living with anxiety and depression and it helped me in finding peace with God.”

Students and non-students alike were invited to share their stories of how God influenced their lives through on-stage testimonies, lasting three to five minutes.

Wilson said for people who were giving the testimonies to hold nothing back.

“Get up here and share your passion,” he said.

Wilson told his own personal story about how he came to CMU to play football and he was focused on himself and wanting to be the best football player. Then, in his sophomore year, he found the Bible verse John 3, Verse 30, which says “He must become greater, I must become less.” This verse taught to make Christ the focus in his life and not himself.

Wilson, who has the verse number written on his shoe, said the verse inspires him everyday.

CMU soccer player and Texas senior Samantha Brenz shared her story of anxiety and stress in her life and how God helped her manage her stress.

“God is your outlet,” she said to the crowd. “With him everything is possible.”

Some people who gave testimonies had a bit of trouble telling their, sometimes, very personal stories to a mostly unknown crowd but were supported by a few friends in the stands.

“I came here to support my friends who are doing the testimony,” Ohio sophomore Mike Zenk said.

He said an event like this helps people who are unsure of their faith to discover it.

“I know there’s a lot of people here that are unsure of their faith,” he said. “If they’re feeling weak in their faith, they know there’s people out there who can help them.”