Colorado High School Reports 96 Student Baptisms During Worship Events

Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has reported that 96 students have been baptized during its "5th Quarter" worship gatherings. Launched in the fall of 2024, these events are held twice per academic year following athletic competitions. The most recent gathering, which took place on September 18, 2026, following a football game, resulted in 17 baptisms.

Jessika Caldwell, the school’s assistant athletic director for spiritual formation, founded the initiative after being inspired by reports of student-athlete testimonies and baptisms at The Ohio State University. Caldwell stated that the goal of the gatherings is to provide a space for students to encounter faith within the context of their athletic environment, specifically addressing struggles regarding identity. The events typically draw several hundred attendees, including students, staff, parents, and community members.