LAURINBURG — Hundreds of people filled the stands of Pate Stadium this week, but it wasn’t to watch the Fighting Scots — it was to hear the word of God.

Scotland High School’s student-led Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization sponsored “Fields of Faith,” a program that encourages students and the community to come together through prayer and traditional Christian values.

Tuesday’s event started off with a group of Gospel singers that brought the audience to its feet with well-known songs like “Worthy is the Lamb.” Following the gospel performance, Scotland High School senior and volleyball player Maggie Laviner gave her testimonial in a video that was played on the scoreboard.

“I got baptized in the fifth or sixth grade and I was on a spiritual high but I wasn’t following God like I should have been,” she said. “I took a youth group trip to Myrtle Beach and it reignited the fire in me and I gave my life back to God. Don’t ever get discouraged god turns sinners into saints and it’s never too late to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.”

Following Laviner’s testimony the crowd was treated to an interpretive dance by a clown to the song “Old Rugged Cross.”

Pastor Paul Lemmond, the community advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, thanked everyone for attending and asked them a simple question.

“Are you ready to score a touchdown for Jesus?”

Lemmond then recognized the 20 youth pastors in attendance from the local churches for getting the word out about the event and encouraging members of their congregations to attend.

“The local churches really stepped up and everything for this event has been paid for,” said Lemmond. “Which is a blessing since FCA doesn’t really have a budget.”

New Hope Baptist Church Pastor Michael Malpass then took the microphone to introduce the event’s guest speaker former head football coach at Clemson University Tommy Bowden.

“Behind every good man, there’s a good mama,” Malpass said. “In honor of Anne Bowden who raised four boys, two girls and has a Division I football coach for a husband let’s give all the mamas in the crowd a round of applause.”

Tommy Bowden then took the microphone and talked with the crowd about what life was like after coaching football.

“I was always an early riser, so I would get up go down to the Exxon station by my house get a cup of coffee for myself and my wife, buy a couple of newspapers and go home,” he said. “Once I got home I would wake my wife up with coffee in bed, go check my email, read the paper, do my Bible readings then go for a run, have a light lunch before sitting down to watch TV at 2 p.m. If you’ve never been home during the day the only thing on is Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Mathis, The People’s Court and Divorce Court.”

Bowden said he did that same routine for a few weeks before he realized God was calling him to do something else — public speaking about the importance of having a relationship with Christ.

During his time as the head football coach at Clemson, Bowden talked about how he wanted to teach all of his players five things — commitment, accountability, responsibility, discipline and sacrifice.

“As a coach I tried to marry athletics and Christianity because it taught all five of those things,” he said. “The more I recruited the less I saw the traditional family unit — mother and father in the home. That family unit is on the decline and thank God he gave us strong women because too often they have to be both parents.”

As a recruiter, Bowden knew the most important person to talk to during a visit was the players mother. One example he used was when he was trying to recruit one of his former players at Clemson, C.J. Spiller, who is now a running back in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks.

“It’s a big deal for a head coach to come to your house so everyone is there and the coach generally stays for dinner,” he said. “After dinner you always grab the mama and ask to speak to her in private, because she makes the decision. I told her that I didn’t care where C.J. went I just wanted him to be happy. I knew my father, Bobby Bowden would be coming the next week and I wanted her to know that he used to beat us as kids — of course I was kidding, but it worked.”

Bowden encouraged those in attendance to be billboards for Christ because God will hold them accountable for the opportunities they had on Earth to be Christians and spread the word.

“I believe in the things written in this book,” he said holding up his Bible. “I know I’m going to heaven. I’m not homesick, but when my time comes I know I’m going.”

The 32-year veteran coach closed his speech with one simple phrase.

“All you have to do is believe — it’s a pretty easy decision,” Bowden said.

Lemmond then returned to the microphone and explained to the crowd that anyone who wished to be saved just needed to come down out of the stands and onto the field.

“You have a chance to be on God’s team, all you have to do is come down and ask God to forgive your sins,” Lemmond said.

Almost 100 people, including 25 members of the Scotland High School varsity football team, made their way out of the stands and onto the field where they joined Lemmond in dedicating themselves to God.

The powerful moment brought many people in the stands to tears and earned those brave enough to make the commitment in such a public setting a standing ovation. The Fighting Scots players then thanked Lemmond for his dedication to the team and everything he does for them.

“You guys have just made my night — no my year,” said Lemmond.

The pastor then finished the event the same way he finishes all prayers on Friday night with the Fighting Scots.

“And all God’s children said — Amen.”

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Hundreds of people turned out Tuesday evening for the Fields of Faith event that was sponsored by Scotland High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes to hear former Clemson head football coach Tommy Bowden speak about faith, family and football.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_044.jpgHundreds of people turned out Tuesday evening for the Fields of Faith event that was sponsored by Scotland High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes to hear former Clemson head football coach Tommy Bowden speak about faith, family and football.

Ty McLaurin, left, spoke on behalf of the members of the Fighting Scots football team that attended the Fields of Faith event on Tuesday to thank Pastor Paul Lemmond for everything he does for them.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_073.jpgTy McLaurin, left, spoke on behalf of the members of the Fighting Scots football team that attended the Fields of Faith event on Tuesday to thank Pastor Paul Lemmond for everything he does for them.

Almost 100 people committed themselves to Christ after hearing Tommy Bowden speak about the important of faith. Pastor Paul Lemmond led the group in renouncing their sins and accepting God into their lives.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_067.jpgAlmost 100 people committed themselves to Christ after hearing Tommy Bowden speak about the important of faith. Pastor Paul Lemmond led the group in renouncing their sins and accepting God into their lives.
Event mixes faith and football

By Amber Hatten

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