Keeping a promise

~ Local men's Christian group brings former wrestler to Osage Centre.

While watching a former professional wrestler on TV, Marc Harris believes God sent him a message.

The message prompted Harris to ask Steve "Sting" Borden to come to Cape Girardeau to speak at today's Promise Keepers Unleashed event.

"I felt that's who God said should speak. When I looked into his life, it really fit in a positive way," said Harris. "What he's been through, his message of change and determination. It's a pretty profound statement of what can happen through Christ."

Borden will be the guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Christian group Promise Keeper's annual event, which takes at 7 p.m. today at the Osage Community Centre.

Harris said this is the third year for the event, which drew around 1,200 people in 2005.

Promise Keepers, a national organization that began in the 1990s by a former college football coach, is based on seven promises that encourage men to live Christian lives.

"It's about a man being a better husband, better father, a better Christian in the community," said Harris.

Each year, the local group chooses one the seven promises to focus on. This year, it's committment to practicing spiritual, moral and sexual purity.

"It's based on biblical values, something that challenges men to strive for excellence in those areas," said Harris, who has been involved in Promise Keepers for six years.

The local group meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. Participants come from nine local churches.

"That's kind of amazing in itself, so many different people from different churches, and we're able to come together," said Harris.

There will also be musical entertainment by local musicians from several churches. The event will last about two and a half hours and is free to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a variety of booths set up with information other local Christian groups.

"We do try to promote other movements," said Harris. "Promise Keepers may not be for you, but maybe Men's Fraternity is or something else. We're just trying to get Christian men of Cape Girardeau plugged in."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128