Hundreds of individuals will pour into Mules Stadium on Wednesday evening for the area's largest Fields of Faith event to hear testimonies, worship and read Scriptures together.
The Poplar Bluff chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host the 11th annual Fields of Faith beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to attend.
In the event of inclement weather, Fields of Faith will be moved to the Black River Coliseum as in 2016.
"Our goal behind Fields of Faith is to have people come hear the message of God's saving grace, challenge students and adults to dive into Scripture on their own and to encourage them to join together to pray for their schools and our area," Three Rivers FCA Area Representative Josh Mills said. "It's a special thing to see over a thousand people spill out of the bleachers and onto the field in prayer at the end of the night and see people of all ages make a commitment of faith to Jesus Christ."
Fellowship General Baptist's Youth Pastor Adam Fears will deliver a message while Cameron Kreager of Poplar Bluff First Church of God will lead in worship with some help from talented area individuals.
Dozens of youth groups and FCA huddles from area schools will also be in attendance Wednesday evening.
"Every year, Southern Bank helps us out by providing the big screen for video and song lyrics," Mills added. "That has been a huge help for us and we're grateful for that partnership."
According to Mills, around 3,500 people were in attendance last year, which was the first year Fields of Faith was at the new Poplar Bluff High School football field. Last year was also Mills first year at the helm of the FCA Three Rivers area.
Eleven years ago, the first Fields of Faith was held in the end zone of Derland Moore Field at Morrow Stadium with about 1,500 people in attendance.
"That's 1,500 people who heard the Gospel message presented and experienced a worship service on a school campus," Mills said. "That's a big thing in our day."
Mills said he had a chance to meet Jeff Martin last week, the man behind Fields of Faith.
"He talked about how many people on his team said it would never work to have a student-led event at that capacity," Mills said.
The concept seems to be working in Poplar Bluff with a growing event each year.
For the first time, Mills said three different locations will be hosting Fields of Faith in addition to Poplar Bluff. Sikeston High School and Southeast Missouri State University's Houck Stadium will both host Fields of Faith events Oct. 10.
Since 2007, Mills said the community of Poplar Bluff has not only supported Fields of Faith, but now other areas are doing the same.
"God impressed upon them the mission and vision of FCA, and now we're seeing that spread into all of Southeast Missouri," he said.
In addition to other towns getting behind Fields of Faith's mission, Mills said the school administration has been amazing to work with to pull off Poplar Bluff's event, in addition to the coaches, the security teams and the police department.
"It takes a lot to make the event happen that goes unseen and I'm grateful for those men and women who have made it possible," he said. "They are all a major part of each decision for Christ that's made at one of the Field of Faith events."
Moving forward with the event, Mills said he would love to have a student partner with a church youth group at the end of the event.
"Many kids from area schools show up and aren't tied to a local church," he said. "Fields of Faith gives us a chance to help make that connection, so that's ultimately a goal for us each year."