Real men

For many of the 2,700-strong crowd, mostly men, at Saturday's Promise Keepers rally at the Show Me Center, quarterback Kurt Warner was a good reason to attend.

Warner has widely proclaimed the Good News and how it has affected his life, which is a story of triumph even in the face of defeat.

But those at the rally left with both inspiration and a challenge for the future.

They were inspired by Warner's intensely personal story, one that included a full-time relationship with God rather than calling on divine help only in times of need.

And they were challenged by Warner and other speakers to make commitments that would mean more to them and their families than fame or fortune.

Establish a sound relationship with your sons, Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Scott Edgar told the audience.

Create a legacy of the kind of integrity that comes from surrendering your life to God, advised Don Ford, president of Kanakuk Ministries, a national organization that promotes Christian values to teens and at sports camps.

Most of the men who left the rally felt they were spiritually uplifted and invigorated to approach life with a new attitude. For them, the rally was a stunning success.