Saturday, April 23, 2016
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Now in its seventh year, the Men’s Rally in the Valley continues in its mission to challenge men to live their faith.
The event next Saturday at the Covelli Centre will start at 8:45 a.m. with Mark Kholos of Shofar Shalom Ministries calling the gathering to order. The rally attracts men of various Christian denominations.
Walter “Bing” Newton of Columbiana, leader of Men of Faith, which sponsors the rally, said in addition to the lineup of exceptional speakers, another drawing card will be the free admission.
“God provided,” Newton said. In previous years, those attending bought wristbands for a fee as their entry tickets.
“I always say, it’s not me – it’s God working,” Newton said.
Another change, Newton added, is that the rally is “getting out of the lunch business.” In years past, a box lunch was offered, and advance reservations had to be made. This year, the Covelli Centre is providing food concessions for the rally.
Newton said the lead-off speaker, Jim Tressel, will set the tone for the theme of the day, “Born to be a Champion.” The president of Youngstown State University will speak on “Defining a Champion” at 9:30 a.m. and discuss some of the misconceptions.
Newton said the theme is based on Samson, who was given extraordinary strength by God but who had a weakness for untrustworthy women and his hair, the source of his strength. “Samson made some bad choices, but in the end, God restored him. It shows us even though we make mistakes, God is with us,” Newton said.
Newton said the champion theme will be carried out in the speakers’ presentations.
He said Jared Anderson, a Christian musician and worship leader, will present special musical segments at 1:15 p.m. and a musical send-off at 3:45 p.m. “Where I Am Right Now” is his latest single.
Also performing will be Teen Challenge Choir and Gideon’s Crew, a choir of Men of Faith members directed by Mark Plegge.
The 2015 rally attracted about 3,000 men from Columbiana, Trumbull, Mahoning and Mercer counties.