PROMISE KEEPERS SEMINAR TO TRAIN LEADERS FOR GROUP

Put thousands of Christian men in a football stadium and move them to cheer for Christ.

That is the most visible sign of Promise Keepers, a national group that focuses on Christian fellowship for men.

"Every guy is comfortable in a stadium," said the Rev. Louis Monroe, the state manager for Promise Keepers in Missouri and Arkansas.

In that setting, men can really hear the message for the first time, said Monroe, a former Baptist minister from St. Joseph.

Louis visited Cape Girardeau Wednesday to tout a Promise Keepers leadership seminar slated for May 31 and June 1 at Cape Bible Chapel.

It is the only Promise Keepers seminar scheduled for Missouri this spring.

So far, nearly 200 men have signed up for the seminar from as far away as Kansas.

With its emphasis on worship, marriage, child-rearing, moral purity and evangelism, Promise Keepers has grown from 72 members to more than 720,000 nationwide.

But behind the numbers are small groups of Promise Keepers in churches across the nation, who regularly meet for friendship and fellowship.

Promise Keepers focuses on tearing down the walls of racism and denominationalism. It delivers a message that men should be able to share their feelings and confide in each other, Monroe said.

"We don't have to be Gary Cooper, silent and strong," said Monroe.

Monroe said Promise Keepers tells men that it is alright for them to cry.

"It is alright for me to shed a tear. It is alright for me to be a guy with feelings," he said.

Critics such as the National Organization for Women have branded the organization as sexist.

But Monroe said Promise Keepers encourages men to love their wives and families.

Rodger Rice, a member of Iona Baptist Church, who is helping to organize the seminar, said Promise Keepers builds stronger marriages.

"It brings husband and wife closer together," Rice said.

Monroe said it is important for Promise Keepers to remain all-male. If women attended, men would be more reluctant to express their feelings, he said.

Topics to be discussed at the Cape Girardeau seminar include how to build and maintain accountability in relationships, and developing an effective men's ministry.

Cost is $35 for pre-registered participants and $45 at the door. For more information or to register, call 1-800-349-0588.