Religious meeting to feature music and speakers

~ Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner will share his life story at the meeting.

Organizers of Saturday's Promise Keepers event hope to fill the Show Me Center.

"Our goal is to have 6,000 people in the Show Me Center," Jackson businessman Jason Wray, a member of the Heartland Promise Keepers group, said in an earlier interview.

The special guest will be Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. Warner, who formerly quarterbacked the St. Louis Rams and led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2000, will share his life story.

"It is going to be the biggest blast of praise and inspirational music that this area has ever seen," Wray said.

Also speaking will be Chuck Schneider, national director of Promise Keepers and Don Ford, president of the Kanakuk Ministries. Praise bands and some local singing groups will perform.

The event is sponsored by Ferrell Mobile Homes and Chap Arnold Insurance, making the event free for all men and boys who want to attend. Churches, other businesses and individuals have also contributed support. Lamar Advertising has donated five billboards to help publicize the event. Seating will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday; the event is expected to last until 9 p.m.

Church groups who log onto heartlandpk.com can register to win a jersey or a football autographed by Warner.

About 1,000 people turned out for a Heartland Promise Keepers rally last March at the Osage Community Centre. Professional wrestler Steve Borden, better known as "Sting," was the featured speaker.

The local group is affiliated with the national Promise Keepers organization. The national nondenominational group attempts to grow men's faith in God through various activities, including religious rallies in football stadiums.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160