Under the Lights, Hearts Ignite: Fields of Faith’s impact in the hearts of youth
Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Fields of Faith isn’t your typical night at the stadium. It’s a grassroots movement where young people take the lead, sharing stories of struggle and faith, reading scripture, and inviting others to find hope in a world that often feels chaotic.
It’s also not just an event, it’s a moment. And as the name suggest, it’s held on the athletic field – or as in this past year’s event due to rain – in the gym. It’s a place where community members can gather with the youth in a shared moment – a moment more powerful than a game. It’s a chance for people from all walks of life to come together, shoulder to shoulder, and experience something real.
Fields of Faith continues to grow at Seguin High School’s Matador Stadium. For years, youth from all over the area and not just Seguin have made the spiritual trek to the sidelines for a night of unity and purpose. With the full support and assistance of the SHS Athletic Department and surrounding districts, a pair of local pastors have worked to invite the community. Their invitation to them -- "Come as you are. Leave changed."
In this special segment of Seguin Today, Pastor Chris Larson of New Life Fellowship Church and Student Pastor Jesse Montanez, of Hillcrest Church team together to help answer some important questions – questions designed to light up more than just the scoreboards this coming spring.
When people ask what is Fields of Faith? What is your answer?
Fields of Faith is a night where students who have faith in Jesus can see they’re not alone. But it’s also a night where students who do not yet know who Jesus is can see the hope that we’ve found. Following Jesus was never meant to be something we did alone—it was always meant to be walked out in community as the body. Fields of Faith gives us that opportunity.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What was the original vision that drew you to Fields of Faith, and how has that vision evolved over the years?
Pastor Chris has been doing Fields of Faith for almost 18 years now, Pastor Jesse has been doing Youth Ministry for 5 Years. It was something we heard about and knew we needed to bring to Seguin. Pastor Chris has held it at the old Seguin High School and even on the former football field. Over time, what’s changed isn’t the heart—but the name. We’re pivoting away from the name while keeping the vision. We no longer want to invite just athletes, but students from every background and walk of life. That’s why we’ve transitioned from Fellowship of Christian Athletes to Student Life Seguin. Same mission—wider net.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
How do you see Fields of Faith impacting students beyond just the night of the event? Are there ripple effects you’re noticing in your congregations or community?
If we had to give you a word picture, we’d say Fields of Faith is like a lighthouse—it draws you into a space where active community is happening. But let us be crystal clear: Fields of Faith is not an on-ramp to make our churches bigger. We want to impact students with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ first. Yes, we believe students need to join a faith community, but Fields of Faith was never meant to be the bait that just adds to church numbers. If you care more about church attendance than the spiritual health of a student, you’ve missed the entire purpose. We’ve seen students and families show up at our churches and we’re honored to walk with them—but them meeting Jesus is always first.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
In an era when young people face so many distractions and challenges, what makes this event still relevant and powerful?
This generation definitely faces distractions—but let’s be honest, we did too when we were younger. They might look different today, but the distractions were still there. The one truth that’s spanned generations is this: young people want what’s real. Real faith. Real community. A real Jesus. These students are facing things we never even dreamed of growing up. In the midst of that, they’re craving something authentic that will carry them through their hardest days. Following Jesus isn’t just for the popular or the hurting—it’s for both. We’ve seen that if you're real with this generation and call them to something higher, they rise to it. They want that purpose. That truth. That Jesus.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
As pastors from different churches, how has your partnership helped shape the spirit of unity this event promotes?
When we get to heaven, it’s not going to be divided by church names or buildings. The Bible says we are one body—and that’s not talking about logos or walls. Everyone says they want unity, but often we’re more focused on what benefits our congregation. Are we willing to partner even if our church doesn’t get mentioned? Even if it doesn’t grow our numbers? In our combined years in ministry, we’ve both had people say they’ll run with us as long as the location is neutral or their church gets credit. But the reason we run together so well is because we care more about the name of Jesus than the name on our church signs. We don’t want the spotlight—we want students to meet the real Jesus. That’s what they’ve seen in our partnership. No competition. No insecurity. Just Jesus. And because of that, they trust us.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What advice would you give other pastors looking to come together for a shared cause in their own communities?
Lay down your pride and your title. We’ve both seen it—people care more about who gets the mic than who gets the gospel. We’d be happy just holding the door if Jesus is being praised and truth is being preached. So here’s our advice: make sure it’s about God, not your platform. These events aren’t photo ops, they’re not brand-building opportunities. They should always be about Jesus and His Kingdom. And don’t be afraid to start small. Not everyone will want to join you in the beginning—because it doesn’t benefit them yet. But God brings the increase. If it’s just you and one other person, that might be all you need. Be cautious who you run with. Some will join later just for the recognition. But remember success is not measured by the crowd. If one life is changed, it was worth it. Don’t despise small beginnings, and know God sees what happens even when no one else does. Not everything needs to be posted or praised— sometimes it’s just about loving people the way Christ loves us.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
Was there a specific moment or testimony from a past Fields of Faith that deeply moved or surprised you?
We were praying at the end of an event and one student opened up in front of everyone about suicidal thoughts. What happened next was powerful -- students all around him moved in, laid hands, prayed, and showed him the love of Jesus. That moment reminded us why we do this. Yes, we laughed, ate, and worshiped—but that was the moment. Real God. Real people. Real healing. You never know what a student is carrying behind their smile. Whether they’re popular, athletic, or seem “okay,” brokenness can be hidden. But in that moment, we saw students be the body of Christ. That’s what this is about.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What role has student-led ministry played in shaping your own perspective as a faith leader?
Ministry wasn’t meant to be stadiums of people watching one good speaker. It was meant to equip the saints to do the work. We say “student-led,” but truthfully, all ministry should be people-led. That’s why we’re intentional about giving students space to minister. This can’t be the Chris and Jesse show. If it’s just about us speaking, it dies with us. But if we use our voice to raise up the next generation, that’s legacy. That’s Kingdom.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What role do parents and community members play in Fields of Faith?
Parents play a massive role. The statistics show when mom and dad follow Jesus, the kids often do too. But too often, youth and adult ministries are treated like separate worlds—and that weakens the church. If we have a youth ministry that’s fun but kids don’t know how to honor their parents or pray at home, we’ve failed. We didn’t build a family—we built a service. Church should be more than an echo chamber; it should be a hospital and a launchpad to transform lives and communities. The enemy wants to divide parents and children. But a move of God in a student can shift a whole household. We don’t want to pull kids from their families—we want to equip them to minister to their families. The same goes for our city. Seguin should be stronger because the Church is present. Revival doesn’t start with noise—it starts with change. And it just might be these kids who spark it.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
Are there any new elements or directions you’d like to explore for future events to keep the message fresh and engaging?
We’re extremely thankful for what Fields of Faith and Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been. It’s laid a beautiful foundation. But our mission now reaches beyond just athletes—it’s all students. That’s why Student Life Seguin was born. From the outside, it may not seem very different—and that’s intentional. The mission hasn’t changed, but the net is wider. We’ll still meet weekly with students, still host large community events like Fields of Faith, but the name will shift. We’ll continue hosting two big events each year—one in the fall and one in the spring—where we invite the whole community to hear the gospel. The new event names are coming soon.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
If there’s one takeaway you hope each student leaves with, what would it be—and why?
We’d say three things:
1. That they can have an identity in Christ as a new creation.
2. That the gospel is not just for their parents—it’s for them.
3. That they were never meant to walk through life alone.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse •
At the Heart of Everything: The Importance of Faith at TLU
Special by Mark Peacock
At Texas Lutheran University, faith is a component of everything we do. It’s woven into our approach to education, and exemplified in our emphasis on servant leadership. You’ll see evidence of faith in action as our faculty, staff, and students offer service hours and take up volunteer opportunities in our local community. The faith component surfaces in our faculty’s approach to their curriculum and in the mission and vision of the university, which is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The campus is literally situated around a beautiful stone chapel—the Chapel of the Abiding Presence—and students of all faiths are encouraged to explore their individual beliefs and to find the deeper meaning in everything they do.
TLU invites the community to join in morning chapel services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during the school year. The university also hosts special faith-based events like Christmas Vespers, which are free and open to all. In an effort to share our faith, TLU’s president, Dr. Debbie Cottrell, visits area churches, as do the TLU Campus Ministry team and Pastor Wes Cain.
The hope is that when our students graduate and move out into the larger world, they’ll carry with them a clear sense of what it means to serve as the hands and feet of God, no matter their chosen career path—that they will follow their dreams while staying deeply grounded in their faith.
One example of how faith intersects learning at TLU can be seen in our Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The program goes beyond the usual instruction in the realms of finance, marketing, statistics, and analytics to include discourses on ethics and the idea of leading with character, conviction, and purpose.
The director of the MBA program is Associate Professor Dr. Mark Peacock, who is also a newspaper columnist writing on the subject of business. Below is an example of a recent column—a seamless blending of leadership marked by faith—which is a testimony to how Dr. Peacock teaches his classes.
The Enduring Value of Integrity
Each semester, I begin my business ethics course with a story about Samuel from the Old Testament. At first glance, it might seem like an unusual choice to introduce a discussion of ethics in modern business practices. A religious leader from 3,000 years ago—what could he possibly teach us today?
For those unfamiliar, Samuel was the last of the judges of Israel, a leader who guided his people during a tumultuous time. Ironically, he was also the best of them, standing out in stark contrast to the often-disappointing judges who preceded him. Despite his wisdom and integrity, the people of Israel demanded a king to lead them, so that they could be like other nations. Samuel warned them they would regret this choice, but God granted their request, and it was Samuel who anointed both Saul and later David as kings.
Samuel’s farewell address to the nation is a powerful testament to the role integrity played in his leadership:
"Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right."
“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” (1 Samuel 12:3-4 NIV)
It’s remarkable: a leader at the end of a long career, asking his people if he had ever wronged them or abused his authority—and their unanimous reply was
essentially, “No, you have led us with honor and integrity.”
Samuel stands out in a world where shortcuts, scandals, and self-interest often dominate. He remains a model of integrity.
The Meaning of Integrity
In class, I ask my students to reflect on that word: integrity. What does it mean to them?
Some say it’s about truthfulness or honesty. Others speak of character, authenticity, or consistency. A popular answer is, “Doing the right thing when no one is looking.”
The word itself comes from the Latin integer, meaning whole or complete. Integrity involves being undivided, consistent, and authentic. For a person of integrity, their words and actions on Monday are the same as on Sunday. They treat others with respect, regardless of status or influence. Their actions align with their stated values.
When we think about leading others, we often immediately jump to what needs to be done. To be sure, much of being a leader is about deciding, communicating, and doing. But it’s important for leaders to reflect on the kind of person they want to be. The kind of reputation they want for themselves and their businesses. Our values shape our decisions, and our decisions shape our character and reputation.
Who’s Your Samuel?
Think about your own life. Who has been a model of integrity for you? When you hear the word “integrity,” who, in your life, comes to mind?
Perhaps it’s your parents, who made great sacrifices to ensure your success. Maybe it’s a steadfast grandparent who lived a life of quiet service. You might think of an unforgettable teacher who believed in you, a coach who guided and pushed you, or a youth group leader who showed you the way. It could be a friend who has stood by you through life’s ups and downs or a coworker who embodies honesty and dependability.
These people are our Samuels—guiding lights of integrity whose lives inspire us to be better.
Application
To sum up this discussion, I ask students this question (rhetorically): Are you living a life of integrity?
This is a question we should ask ourselves regularly, not out of guilt but as a guide. Integrity isn’t about perfection; it’s about striving to align our actions with our values, to live consistently and authentically, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. For business, this means aligning strategies, leadership practices, and stakeholder interactions with a set of core values, creating a unified, ethical corporate culture.
In the end, integrity isn’t just about how others see us—it’s about who we see when we look in the mirror. And when we live with integrity, we become the kind of people others can look to as their Samuels—models of honor and character in a world that desperately needs them. •
Mark Peacock serves as MBA Director and Associate Professor of Business at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas.
DIRECTORY of CHURCHS & SPIRITUAL Centers
Allen Chapel AME Church, 255 E. Commerce St., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-626-0492
Amazing Grace Baptist Church 14593 State Highway 123, Seguin, Texas 78155
Bethel Church-Cladic, 1320 6th St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-1855
Bethel Pentecostal Church, 834 N. Guadalupe St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-2007
Camp Valley Full Gospel Church, 6838 County Road 121, Nixon, Texas 78140 830-424-3700
Capote Baptist Church, 10875 FM 466, Seguin, Texas 78155 830-372-1480
Catholic Daughters of America, 830-372-3330
Christ Lutheran Church of Elm Creek, 3305 Church Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-4669
Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 926 8th St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-7636
Church Nazarene, 210 W. Klein Rd., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-625-0803
Church of Christ, 2120 N. Heideke St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-8308
Cibolo Valley Baptist Church, 5500 FM 1103, Schertz, Texas 78108 210-658-0525
Clearview Baptist Church, 2287 Wade Rd., Kingsbury, Texas 78638 830-639-4119
Community Christian Church, 1750 McQueeney Rd., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-620-7174
Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-4312
Crossroads Church, 3455 W. U.S. Highway 90, Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-379-7737
Dao Tam Buddhist Temple, 1410 W. Klein Rd., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-255-7377
Discovery Church, 242 Country Ln., Cibolo, Texas 78108 210-317-0309
East Texas Diocese Church of Our Lord Jesus, 410 N. Guadalupe St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-4601
Emmanuel's Lutheran Church, 206 N. Travis St., Seguin, Texas 830-372-0332
Evangelist Lutheran Church, 7745 Kingsbury Rd., Kingsbury, Texas 78638, 830-639-4906
Everyday Christian Fellowship, 950 N. Main St., Cibolo, Texas 78108 210-659-6300
Faith Community Church, 920 E. College St., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-372-3040
Faith Lutheran Church, 1326 E. Cedar St., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-379-7036
First Assembly of God Church, 3052 S. State Highway 123, Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-3370
First Baptist Church - New Braunfels, 733 Cross St., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-625-9124
First Baptist Church, 1314 E. Cedar St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-4208
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 137 E. Mill St., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-6251781
First Latin Assembly of God, 806 N. Camp St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-1479
First Methodist Church, 710 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-4112
First Presbyterian Church, 1121 E. Walnut St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-5421
First Protestant Church, 172 W. Coll St., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-609-7729
Forest Hills Baptist Church, 8251 FM 1117, Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-0449
Friedens Church, 2555 Friedens Church Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-303-7729
Good News Fellowship Church, 1123 B & B Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-372-0460.
Grace Church, 3240 FM 725, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-626-3045
Grace Family Bible Church, 2400 E. Walnut St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-305-0119
Grace Lutheran Church, 935 E. Mountain St., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-379-1690
Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 401 N. Gravel St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-0659
Greater Savannah Baptist Church, 321 E. Schulz St., Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-2159
Greater Second Baptist Church, 208 S. Crockett St., Seguin, Texas 830-379-3211
Hillcrest Assembly of God, 1440 Eastwood Dr., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-379-7531
House of Prayer, Geronimo, Texas 830-626-8453
I Am Redeemed Bible Church, 117 S. Guadalupe St., Seguin, Texas 78155
Iglesia Bautista El Buen, 5010 Bluebonnet St., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-372-0270
Iglesia Bautista El Camino, 208 S. Center St., Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-2511
Iglesia Rios De Agua Viva Iglesia De Jesuscristo, 261 Wetz St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-822-5322
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 213 N. Barnett St., Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-2411
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1367 Eastwood Dr., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-6150
Kingsbury Baptist Church, 6901 FM 2438, Kingsbury, Texas 78638 830-639-4671
Kingsbury United Methodist Church, 7035 FM 2438, Kingsbury, Texas 78638 830-639-4395
LDS Church, 1111 E. College St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-372-3845
La Trinidad United Methodist Church, 306 E. Gonzales St., Seguin, Texas 830-379-1991
Life Changing Church, 842 E. Pine St., Seguin, TExas 78155, 830-463-9637
Life Tabernacle, 747 N. Highway 123 Bypass, Seguin, Texas 830-372-1736
Lifegate Ministries, 395 Lifegate Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-372-0850
Living Waters Worship Center, 3325 N. State Highway 46, Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-303-7515
McQueeney Baptist Church, 201 Schumann Rd., McQueeney, Texas 78123 830-557-5532
Mission Bautista El Calvario, 600 Pfeil Rd., Cibolo, Texas 78108 210-658-0305
Nations Christian Fellowship, 305 U.S. Hwy. 87, Smiley, Texas 78159
New Birth Baptist Church, 975 Elm Creek Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-372-0670
New Hope Baptist Church, 702 Campbell St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-3773
New Life Fellowship, 16489 S. State Highway 123, Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-372-1200
New Salem Baptist Church, 251 New Salem Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-1311
New St. James Baptist Church, 302 A.J. Malone Dr., Seguin, Texas 830-379-5063
Oakwood Baptist Church, 2154 Loop 337, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-625-0267
Olive Branch Fellowship, 735 E. Kingsbury St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-444-0273
One Hope Church, 902 Timmermann Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-865-8599
Open Door Baptist Church, 117 Haeckerville Rd., Cibolo, Texas 78108 210-658-8069
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 409 W. Krezdorn St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-4338
Prairie Lea Baptist Church, 6825 San Marcos Hwy., Prairie Lea, Texas 78661, 512-488-2274
Prairie Lea United Methodist Church, 6725 Highway 80, Prairie Lea, Texas 78661 512-757-4558
Real Life Community Church, 101 W. San Antonio St., Marion, Texas 78124 830-420-4040
Redeemer United Church of Christ of Zuehl, 7415 Gin Rd., Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-2168
Refuge III Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 7491 Elm Creek Rd., Seguin, Texas 830-303-6478
Renew Church, 2240 FM 725, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-624-7223
Rheama Christian Center, 2220 N. State Highway 46, Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-433-4022
Second Baptist Church, 609 S. Guadalupe St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-4242
Secure, 708 S. Guadalupe St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-433-4205
Seguin Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 220 Preston Dr., Seguin, Texas 830-379-6813
Southwestern Texas Synod, 1090 Oestreich Dr., Seguin, Texas 78155, 830-379-9900
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 416 Dolle Ave., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-272-0040
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 201 E. Nolte St., Seguin, Texas 830-372-4330
St. James Catholic Church 510 S. Camp St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-1796
St. John Lutheran Church, 605 S. Center St., Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-2383
St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main St., Cibolo, Texas 78108 210-658-5874
Staples United Methodist Church, 9760 FM 621, Staples, Texas 78670 512-357-6352
Strong Tower Christian Church (Iglesia Cristiana Torre Fuerte), 525 W. New Braunfels St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-557-3822
Sweet Canaan Baptist Church, 4140 Prairie Lea Rd., Kingsbury, Texas 78638 830-639-4604
Sweethome Baptist Church, 3340 Sweet Home Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-303-8033
The Country Church, 1005 W. FM 78, Marion, Texas 78124 830-914-3133
The Door CFC Church, 122 W. Ireland St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-374-5217
Tree of Life Church, 5513 I-35 North, New Braunfels, Texas 78132 830-625-6375
Trinity Baptist Church, 1201 W. Court St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-5724
Unity Baptist Church, 1514 N. San Marcos St., Seguin, Texas 830-379-5343
Unity of New Braunfels, 408 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-608-9515
Victory Christian Center Seguin, 735 E. Kingsbury St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-401-0848
Victory Formation Church, 2220 N. State Highway 46, Seguin, Texas 78155 830-433-4778
Walnut Street Church of Christ, 1351 E. Walnut St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-6857
Wesley Harper United Methodist Church, 754 W. Court St., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-372-8983
Westside Baptist Church, 1208 N. Vaughan Ave., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-401-0210
Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1952 Zion Hill Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-3045
