More than 350 profess faith in Christ at Carrollton-area Gridiron Day events By JASON QUEEN, The Christian Index Thursday, August 21, 2025 CARROLLTON, Ga. — More than 350 people professed faith in Christ at a pair of Gridiron Day events hosted by Carrollton Baptist Association churches, said Tim Williams, the associational missionary strategist. Altogether, some 1150 students and school leaders attended the events at Roopville Road Baptist Church on Aug. 7, and First Baptist Church Villa Rica on Aug. 14, 2025. “It’s just an amazing thing to see that many students come together and hear the gospel and for the Lord to just bless and touch the hearts and lives of young people,” said Williams. “God is still reaching young people, and God is giving us an opportunity to make a difference in their lives even spiritually, which is going to help them forever, in their lives, in their careers, and in their marriages.” Dressed in school jerseys, uniforms, and t-shirts, students and adults were bused from their schools to both locations for this free-choice event. It’s not affiliated with the school system.  In its third year, Roopville Road hosted football players, mascots, cheerleaders, and band members from Central High School and Central Middle School in Carrollton; Bowdon (Ga.) High School and Heard County High School. Two flag football teams were also there from Bowdon and Central high schools.  “I left feeling overjoyed in the work of the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit drawing these students to Christ. It was a privilege to be a part of the sweeping of the Holy Spirit,” said Roopville Road Senior Pastor Stephen Peeples. “Everything glorified the Lord, and that is our prayer.” After a barbecue dinner, students competed in toe-touch jumping, arm-wrestling, sit-ups, push-ups, and tug-of-war, and energetic students yelled and cheered for their schools while bands played their fight songs.  Afterwards, former NFL cornerback Jeremiah Castille shared a challenging message about what it means to be a champion on and off the field, and knowing the greatest champion, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Castille serves as chaplain for the University of Alabama, where he played under legendary Crimson Tide coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The atmosphere was loud during the competitions. “When Jeremiah got up to speak, you could have heard a pin drop. They were in tune and the Holy Spirit really touched them in a super way,” said Williams. During the invitation, 206 students and adults professed faith in Christ, and 100 others made decisions for Christ. “In the past several years, we have had around 200 professions within both of these, but this year, it was just unique,” Williams said. Williams said a high school principal had tears streaming down his face. When Carroll County school board member and Roopville Road Minister of Music Bryant Turner asked him if he was okay, the principal replied that he wished they could do more of these events. The principal’s son received Christ that night.  In its 12th year, Villa Rica hosted players, cheerleaders, coaches, and mascots from Villa Rica High School, Temple High School, Alexander High School in Douglasville, and Villa Rica, Bay Springs and Temple middle schools. There were 550 attendees, with 145 accepting Christ as savior and 111 others making decisions. Castille and his son Caleb Castille did a question-and-answer format at Villa Rica. Caleb is an actor and producer who was featured in the 2015 film Woodlawn. The students had a barbecue dinner and competitions, and an invitation was given by Villa Rica Senior Pastor Kevin Williams. Kevin Williams said it is always a big event with a lot of students and high expectations. He noted that these students are generally school leaders and have a large influence around their campuses, and that he hopes it trickles down in the school.  The pastor mentioned that if you live in the south, especially Georgia and Alabama, Friday Night Football is a part of the culture. It's a big deal, and it’s important to tap into where the cultures are. That is what Gridiron Day is all about. There were churched and unchurched kids there, and some had never heard the gospel or had never been given the opportunity to know Jesus or have a relationship with Him, said Tim Williams. “I hope it has a change in their lives and our community will be different because of the decisions that were made.” He stated that if other churches around the state embraced something like this in their communities, thousands of teenagers could come to faith through it. “We've got to reach kids. We’re not reaching kids like we need to. We need to reach them in middle school, high school, and elementary school.” Peeples said one or more churches partnering with local schools can make the difference in all sports and band programs if they just get to it. “Can you imagine the impact statewide?" he asked. "It would be incredible.” --- PHOTOS --- File: 20250821-142844-562-1.jpg Caption: Students attend the Gridiron Day event at Roopville Road Baptist Church. (Photo/Carrollton Baptist Association) File: 20250821-142849-ec4-2.jpg Caption: Students and others come forward for the altar call at the Gridiron Day event at Roopville Road Baptist Church. (Photo/Carrollton Baptist Association) File: 20250821-142852-8a9-3.jpg Caption: Kevin Williams, senior pastor of Villa Rica First Baptist Church, sits between former NFL cornerback Jeremiah Castille, left, and his son Caleb Castille, right, at the church's Gridiron Day event. (Photo/Carrollton Baptist Association)