LOCAL MEN SAY PK MOVEMENT NEEDED

Dwight Tanksley and Kenny McCormack were so moved by their first Promise Keeper event that they immediately decided to attend the "Stand in the Gap" rally in Washington, D.C.

The event begins at noon today at the National Mall. About 500,000 men are expected to fill the area to pray for their families and the nation.

When Tanksley attended his first rally in July, he didn't know what to expect. "I heard people talking about it, saying you just have to be there to see what it's about," he said.

After attending, Tanksley said "It changes your life drastically. It makes a good marriage stronger. You come home a whole different person."

Promise Keepers stresses building godly relationships and valuing the family.

Tanksley, a member of First Assembly of God church, hopes the rally draws men closer to God and in turn closer to their families. "Society has allowed us to be so busy that we forget about family. It's okay to slow down and take some time with family."

A friend invited Tanksley to the St. Louis rally and after attending he decided to make the trip to Washington, D.C. "I feel like it will be a history-making thing. It's so awesome to have that many men in one area in prayer."

In the past, Promise Keepers rallies have drawn thousands of men to football stadiums and outdoor arenas to pray, sing hymns of praise and hear from the group's leadership.

Typically, the events cost $60 for registration, but no fees were collected for "Stand in the Gap." No information about speakers was available either. However, founder Bill McCartney is expected to address the crowds.

Kenny McCormack, who attends Cape Bible Chapel, said the benefits of Promise Keepers is that the group stresses the gospel, teaches servanthood and love as well as holds men accountable.

Part of its popularity probably comes from the mass numbers it attracts, he said. But the biggest feature is that it gives men a chance to open up.

"The rallies are a time when men can let their guard down around other men," McCormack said. "We go through life shielded, putting up this shield and this is an opportunity to break it down."

McCormack's wife encouraged him to attend the St. Louis rally because she'd heard so many positive things about the organization.

Although Promise Keepers has been criticized for shutting women out, many wives are happy with the changes in their husbands. "The reason people are saying it will set women back 100 years is that they simply don't understand," said Mark Anderson, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church. "They aren't looking through the eyes of faith."

Anderson is not attending the rally this weekend, but about 30 members of the church are.

There may be a day when Promise Keepers fades, but it will have served its purpose, said Ron Watts, pastor of LaCroix United Methodist Church. "The time was right. There has been a gradual decline and slipping away from traditional morals and basic responsibility in the home."