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Central Florida PK energizes 7000 men

Orlando’s 5th men’s event watched worldwide

Orlando, July 28, 2007 – The international ministry to men Promise Keepers returned to Orlando this weekend, hosting a conference with 7,000 men filling Amway Arena.  President and CEO of Promise Keepers Dr. Tom Fortson promised the fifth visit to Orlando would not be the last.  “We will return with tools to help men put their integrity into action.”

Promise Keepers global!

The event is being viewed worldwide via an internet “webcast.”  Viewers in 22 states and Latin America tuned in.  One Florida mother wrote in via live chat, “My twin 10-year olds are so excited to be watching where daddy is this weekend with their 12-year old brother.”  Kelly from Central Florida wrote, “Love the live the webcast.  I feel like I am there with my husband and son.”  Stephanie in Bartow wrote, “My husband and son are both attending with about 25 men and teens from Turning Point Worship Center.  They come back different men!"

From the platform…

Bishop Joseph Garlington targeted the importance of connecting with a few other men.  “The safety net of fellowship between men is important,” Garlington said.  “The enemy wants you to think that if you discuss your issues with somebody, it will ruin you.  The truth is, if you don’t, it will ruin you.”

Comedian Brad Stine said, “Florida!  The only state I know of that lets you fish off of the freeway. Now that's hard core!”  Campaigning against the “wussification of America," Stine said, “I want to see the death of political correctness in my lifetime.  But first I want to see it suffer.”

Dan Seaborn closed the meeting with a message on “The Heart of a Woman.”  “God created marriage. Don’t mess with it!” Seaborn exclaimed.  “The pressures of the world want to extinguish the flame of your relationship.  Keep the candle burning!”

Reggie Dabbs introduced himself as “your brother from another mother.”  Promoting the brotherhood of faith, Dabbs urged, “Lock arms with your brother or father standing next to you.  Tell him, ‘I’ve got your back.’”

What the men say…

Busy with the premiere of the feature animation, Rev. Lovejoy and Ned Flanders of The Simpsons could not attend the event with their accountability group.  Words from a few men who did come:

Tom Jennings came with 12 other men from Rochelle First Baptist (Ga.), undeterred by a flat tire.  Law partners, ex-cons, the injured and recovering, the still married and the recently divorced, men came together at Promise Keepers from Sebring, Palm Beach, Viera, Eustis, and elsewhere.

Community Impact

Orlando promise keepers came through with an estimated 8,000 pounds of food on Saturday morning, to be distributed by the Central Florida Dream Center.  On Friday, Florida’s Blood Centers’ big red bloodmobile received precious and badly needed blood donations.  Including Orlando, 135 units of blood have been raised at Promise Keepers events.

Friday at Amway Arena

Bible adventurer and former crime scene investigator Bob Cornuke, known for his expeditions to locate Noah’s Ark and the Ark of the Covenant, put his explorations into perspective.  “Evidence is not proof. The proper interpretation of evidence is proof.”

Evangelist Mike Silva reintroduced the God of the Bible to the arena of hard-edged men.  “God’s not out to get you. He may be out to get your attention, but He’s not out to get you.  The message that every man in Orlando and America needs to hear is: There is a better way.”  At Silva’s invitation to the Christian faith, 200 men made first time commitments to faith in Jesus Christ.  Another 170 recommitted their lives to Christ.

Columbia preview

Promise Keepers holds next week’s men’s conference in Columbia, S.C. (Aug. 3-4).  The entire 2007 men’s conference schedule is posted at www.promisekeepers.org.  

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