RALLY UNITES 50,000 MEN IN REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH.Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer Hands raised, heads bowed, an estimated 50,000 men from across the Southland came together at the L.A. Coliseum on Friday night to rededicate Verb 1. rededicate - dedicate anew; "They were asked to rededicate themselves to their country" dedicate, devote, commit, consecrate, give - give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause; "She committed herself to the work of God"; "give one's talents to a their lives to God and pledge to be better husbands and fathers. The two-day Promise Keepers Promise Keepers is an international Christian organization for men, based in Denver, Colorado, United States, self-described as "a Christ-centered organization dedicated to introducing men to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, helping them to grow as Christians". rally - marked by singing, foot-stomping, cheering and high-fiving - is the third Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. rally and kicks off a 19-city tour. ``This is about becoming better husbands, better fathers and building a better relationship with God,'' said Promise Keepers spokeswoman Laura Swickard. ``They are talking about breaking down racial walls and denominational walls.'' Criticized in the past for its lack of minority participation at the rallies, the ministry last year exhorted its members to bring men of color not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed. See also: Color with them this year. The appeal appeared to pay off Friday night, with African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans joining the mostly white crowd in embracing one another and raising their voices in song. ``The organization has fought to be very diverse'' said Steve Ruppe, director of public affairs Those public information, command information, and community relations activities directed toward both the external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense. Also called PA. See also command information; community relations; public information. for Promise Keepers. ``It's an ongoing effort of Promise Keepers to diversify our audience.'' The Rev. Greg Laurie Greg Laurie (born 10 December 1952) is the senior pastor of the Harvest Christian Fellowship, a Calvary Chapel[1], in Riverside, California. Greg was converted under the ministry of Pentecostal evangelist Lonnie Frisbee at Newport Harbor High School. of the Harvest Christian Fellowship Harvest Christian Fellowship was founded in 1979 by Greg Laurie in Riverside, CA. Laurie is currently the senior pastor of thirty years. Harvest is a megachurch with a congregation of 15,000 and growing. in Riverside, one of the evangelical preachers at the podium, urged members of the crowd to come forward to show their faith in Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. , with hundreds of men answering his call. ``It's time to come back to the Lord, the prodigal son. You come to Christ, you come back to him now,'' he shouted. Ed Ploeger, a 44-year-old businessman from Cerritos, said it's hard to explain the overwhelming sense of fellowship the event inspired in him. ``It's a feeling of closeness and fellowship with God,'' he said. ``It's an experience of being in a stadium with (thousands of) other Christian men.'' His son, Casey, 12, was enjoying the rally as well. ``I'm learning that he is always with us,'' said the boy, referring to Jesus. ``And even if we sin he will forgive us.'' Tony Garcia, 32, of South Gate, said Promise Keepers has helped him turn around his life - which included a stint in prison for selling drugs. ``I was in gangs, selling drugs and doing stuff the devil causes you to do,'' he said. ``I think God has given me the strength to stay out here (in the community instead of jail) and be a man of commitment to Jesus.'' Since it was started in 1991 by former University of Colorado University of Colorado may refer to:
In 1996, more than 1 million men attended rallies at 22 stadiums. The group employs 450 people and expects revenues to top $117 million. In two weeks, a Christian women's group is staging a similar event at the Rose Bowl. Up to 30,000 women are expected to attend the Chosen Women rally, where they will reaffirm their commitment to God. CAPTION(S): Photo: Worshipers pray during a song at the Promise Keepers rally Fr iday. Evan Yee/Daily News |
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