The revolution for Promise Keepers started on June 4 in Albany, New York, when the first of 18 conferences kicked off in the Pepsi Arena to an audience of over 8,600 men, who were called on to take up responsibilities.
"So many men are walking away from their responsibilities," said Judy Laytan of Ballston Spa, N.Y., "and these men are standing up for what they believe in."
“We’re calling for an uprising in the hearts of men and expect them to go back home and affect the culture, their communities, their families,” said PK President Thomas S. Fortson, Ph.D., who announced during PK’s Media Day that the organization was moving from “movement” to “mission.” He is also launching a three-year campaign called “Real Men Matter” encouraging men to have an impact on their culture.
“It’s time to get out of the arena and into the marketplace,” said Fortson.
Fortson, who was inaugurated earlier this year, reminded the men that many of the problems that face society today are moral issues, not political.
“Killing a baby is not a political issue; it’s a moral issue,” he said. “Approving and accepting same sex unions is not a political issue; it is a moral one. That’s why we’re calling our constituents to go on mission. We’re not taking this lightly. Real men tackle real issues and we’re preparing for battle.”
Comedian Brad Stine, who’ll also present at every conference this season, asked the crowd, ”Do you know who the stud men are supposed to be, the provocative men, the men who can’t be ignored?”
He continued, “They’re supposed to be in the church! They’re supposed to be the one’s who can’t be changed by a culture that changes. We want an uprising of the soul so men will go out and affect the culture.”
It was the first time for PK to structure its conference after a book. Erwin McManus, pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, Ca, authored “UPRISING: The Revolution of a Man’s Soul”, which powered the theme of the conference.
Other presenters and speakers included Joe White, Crawford Loritts, JR., Ken Davis, Jhan Moskowitz, and John Trent. Sonicflood and the Maranatha Promise Band led worship.
“We’re shaking the gates of hell,” said Emcee Reggie Dabbs as he closed the event on June 5. “The revolution has started.”
