Fields of Faith 2012: Preparing Students for the Harvest

• By Alliance Defending Freedom
• Posted Oct 4, 2012
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by Matthew Sharp

In 2 Chronicles 34, we are told the story of young Josiah, who became king of Judah at the age of eight. When he turned 16, the Bible tells us that “he began to seek the God of his father David.” Over the next several years, Josiah instituted incredible religious reforms throughout Judah that culminated the day that the Book of the Law was found in the temple. After realizing how far the nation had strayed from God, Josiah called all of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the temple and publicly read from the book.

Over 2,500 years later, students across the country are following in Josiah’s footsteps at the annual Fields of Faith event. On October 10, 2012, tens of thousands of students, parents, and community members will meet at their local athletic fields. They will hear students share their testimonies, be challenged to read the Word of God, and receive the call to follow Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, there have been instances of schools attempting to place unconstitutional restrictions on Fields of Faith out of concerns that allowing the event would violate the so-called “separation of church and state.” But the law is clear: students have the right to organize and promote Fields of Faith on the same terms that other students are allowed to organize and promote events. Likewise, teachers, coaches, and other school employees can participate in Fields of Faith as long as they do so in their private capacities as citizens.

To help students, parents, and school officials, Alliance Defending Freedom has prepared a memorandum discussing the legal rights of organizers and participants in Fields of Faith. If you are facing resistance in organizing the event at your school, please contact us at 1-800-835-5233.