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Posted: 10/3/03

High school student puts on shield of faith

By George Henson

Staff Writer

PORT NECHES–Aron Arceneaux is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “shield of faith.”

Arceneaux is this year's Indian Spirit for the Port Neches High School football team. A male senior is selected each year to serve as the Indian Spirit, a mascot representing a Native American shaman in complete regalia.

Aron Arceneaux in full regalia, and a closeup of the Scripture-laden shield.

The outfit does allow for one piece unique to each person, a shield. For his shield, Arceneaux chose a scene of a Native American on horseback looking across a chasm at a Christian cross. On the outer edge of the shield, he inscribed a passage from Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

David Mahfouz, Arceneaux's pastor at First Baptist Church in Port Neches, believes the high schooler presents a bold witness.

“It's a strong testimony when you come in to a ballgame with 15,000 to 16,000 people and see him lift high that shield bearing the cross of Christ,” Mahfouz said. “It becomes a visible testimony to the community of Port Neches, both to the Christians and the lost as to the depth of his commitment.”

The teen's role is highly visible in a strong football program steeped in tradition, the pastor explained.

The church helped fund creation of Arceneaux's shield by a local artist.

The 18-inch circular shield has given Arceneaux opportunities to share his faith after others have asked him about it, he said.

So far, he hasn't had any complaints about the composition of his shield. His friends know of his commitment to Christ, he said, and probably would have been shocked if the shield hadn't in some way communicated his faith.