FOR MEN OF FAITH

By Linda Linonis

on a mission

The event May 8 in Youngstown will challenge men to live what they believe.

YOUNGSTOWN — Men’s Rally in the Valley challenges men to demonstrate their faith. The for-men-only event May 8 at the Covelli Centre will provide the opportunity.

Spearheading the project are the Rev. David Moncrief, pastor of Triedstone Baptist Church and member of the International Brotherhood of Christian Men, and Walter “Bing” Newton of Leetonia, leader of Men of Faith.

“Although there are thousands of men in our Valley who profess to be Christians, we all need to be more consistent in our fellowship with God and each other,” the Rev. Mr. Moncrief said in a press release. “We want to challenge ourselves and other men to walk the walk of a Christian every single day.”

Newton, in a phone interview, said, “Once you change the life of a man ... that changes things for him, his family, marriage and church.”

Both Mr. Moncrief and Newton said the rally grew out of their Promise Keepers experiences. “Promise Keepers’ mission is to ignite and unite men to become warriors who will change their world through living out the Seven Promises,” according to its Web site. The promises include honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and obedience to God’s word.

Newton said after attending various Promise Keepers conferences, he was motivated to organize Men of Faith, an interdenominational group, about eight years ago. That group meets monthly at 8 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at the Dutch Haus in Columbiana. The next meeting is Jan. 16 with John Ryser speaking on cardboard ministry. At first, the group didn’t attract much attendance. “A pastor suggested I take it off ‘church turf’ and it exploded,” Newton said. The average attendance is now about 100.

Hosting the event at the Covelli Centre plays on that concept. Dan Pecchia, a volunteer for the Men’s Rally, said the “arena-type atmosphere” will be a draw. “We want to create an ecumenical event that’s a comfortable alternative,” he said.

“We’re all called to use our gifts to advance the kingdom,” Pecchia said. For example, Pecchia, who operates Pecchia Communications, is handling public relations. He said the event will promote “friendship and fellowship” among the men who attend.

Though the event is a few months off, the Men’s Rally laying the groundwork now and a large number of volunteers already are organized. Pecchia said that representatives of the following churches are involved in the project. They are Triedstone Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Christian Revival and Discipleship Center and Sovereign Grace Chapel, all in Youngstown; Old North Church in Canfield; Greenford Christian Church in Greenford; Highway Tabernacle Assembly of God Church in Austintown; Salem First Friends Church in Salem; and Pentecostal House of Prayer in Farrell, Pa.,; Rock of Grace Church in Kinsman; and Leavittsburg Church of God.

Newton said if men of various faiths from Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and western Pennsylvania come together in his Men of Faith group, he foresees a good response to the Men’s Rally in the Valley.

“We’ve sent out 700 letters to area churches explaining what the rally is about,” he said, noting that churches can request a speaker or DVD to focus on the event.

Mr. Moncrief, also in a telephone interview, said the purpose of the rally is “to let men know there is another way ... when God is central in our lives.”

“We need to be examples to young men,” he continued. He pointed out murders and immorality shake the community. But, he noted there are enough men of faith who can stand “toe to toe” against those forces. “Greed factors into the minds of men,” he said, but countered that “God will supply needs.”

Mr. Moncrief said, “Church today is people searching for the word of God.”

“When men live independently of the word of God, they are in trouble,” the pastor said. “God has given us a second chance to get it right ... Jesus Christ died and resurrected to make it possible.”

“Men need to get their lives in order,” Mr. Moncrief said.

Newton and Moncrief envision the Men’s Rally as a catalyst for some men to promise to live their faith and for others to find their faith.