STRONG-ARM PREACHERS USE UNIQUE METHODS

About 15 people hauled in bricks and wooden boards for the Power Team demonstrations Wednesday night at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

Tom Sirotnak, the human cannonball, broke five, wooden 2-by-4s with his shoulder as part of the performance. At least 100 bricks will be broken throughout the week's performances. Each program builds on the next so the demonstrations get more involved each night.

The group will perform again today through Sunday at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge.

The team includes eight world-class athletes with a motivational message for teen-agers and young adults. Five members will perform in Cape Girardeau this week.

The team presents the gospel from a different angle, said the Rev. Gary Brothers, pastor at First Assembly of God Church.

During the show, each athlete performs a different feat of strength -- from breaking baseball bats to snapping handcuffs in two -- and presents a different inspirational message.

Although the team is nationally recognized for its acts of strength, it's not all about breaking objects.

"We bring the message of hope," said Sirotnak, who's been a team member for three years. "It's not about breaking bricks. It's the message of the gospel that can heal a family and set people free."

As the national representative for the "Partnership for a Drug Free America" program, the team also promotes drug-free and alcohol-free living.

"It's not enough just to be strong," Sirotnak said. "It's about having a strong character, ethics and morality."

The Power Team was started almost 15 years ago by John Jacobs, a minister. It began as a simple prison ministry and expanded into a traveling crusade.

The team performs in more than 300 schools each year. Most of the school performances spread a motivational message.

"You don't have to get hung up on drugs, alcohol and follow the crowd," Sirotnak said. "Be an individual, that's how God created you to be."

The Power Team performances are sponsored by Heartland for Christ, an organization of 37 area churches.