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7100 Men Lock Arms at PK in Fresno

Integrity in action: adventure, understanding women, brotherhood

Fresno, Calif., Aug. 25, 2007 – In a string of 100-degree days in California’s Central Valley, a crowd of more than 7,100 men turned up their spiritual thermostats at Promise Keepers, the classic “guys’ weekend out.” Motivational speaker Rick Rigsby (www.rickrigsby.com) emceed the event, a homecoming for the former Fresno State University communications professor. Integrity Music’s PK7 provided more than two hours of energetic, masculine praise and worship accompaniment.

President and CEO of Promise Keepers Dr. Tom Fortson, a cancer survivor, encouraged the men to make the significant changes needed to make an impact on life in the Valley. “Our mission is to help you to be passionate followers of Jesus Christ, and to put that integrity into action,” he said.

Community Impact

Cases of non-perishable food items weighing an estimated 2,500 pounds piled up around the entrances of Save Mart Center on Saturday morning, a donation from the attendees to the local food bank Feeding Fresno.

Throughout the season, Promise Keepers recruited thousands of men and women as volunteers, and more than 750 men signed up to work with Promise Keepers as volunteer “Ambassadors.”

From the platform

Bishop Larry Jackson instructed the men on “Engaging the Heart of a Woman.” “From the book of Genesis we learn that in marriage the two have become one,” said Bishop Jackson. “How you speak to your wife is actually how you speak to yourself. Are you impatient with her? Let our words build up the women in our lives.”

The closing speaker, author James Ryle connected true significance with brotherhood. “Face to face, shoulder to shoulder, back to back - a band of men together is a formidable foe against the things that assault us as men,” said Ryle. The meeting ended with men locking arms, symbolic of unity between men.

Friday at Save Mart Center

Bible adventurer Bob Cornuke described his searches for the Ark of the Covenant, Noah’s Ark, and evidence of Paul’s shipwreck. A former crime scene investigator, Cornuke challenged the men to examine the evidence. “Evidence isn’t proof,” Cornuke said. “The proper interpretation of evidence is proof. It doesn’t matter if we find Noah’s Ark; you don’t want to miss the real ark of Jesus”.

Politically incorrect comedian Brad Stine loaded up on animal rights activists, people that don’t like Christmas, and witches offended by Halloween. “If you’re a witch and I offend you, isn’t there a potion for that?” pondered Stine.

Evangelist Mike Silva closed the first night with unique, bi-lingual “Challenge to Die.” Unlike martyrdom, Silva pointed to the sacrifice of another, Jesus Christ. “God wants his men back,” said Silva. One man stormed the stage immediately, declaring, “I can’t wait anymore. I’ve got to have Jesus now!” One hundred seventy-five (175) followed, giving their life to Jesus Christ, and 181 re-affirmed their allegiance to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Promise Keepers year ‘round

With the conclusion of the 2007 conference season, Promise Keepers continues its work as a conference and content ministry. Coming this fall, a new event in movie theaters around the nation will debut, called “PKAdventure.” Various on line resources, including conference webcast archives, regular VerseMinder download, podcasts and other audio/visual tools for ministry to men, are all available at www.promisekeepers.org.

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