Promise Keepers Event Returning To Kingdome

Seahawks owner Ken Behring might be afraid of the Kingdome's ability to withstand earthquakes, but not Promise Keepers, the national Christ-centered men's ministry. It said yesterday it will return to the Dome on April 26 and 27 for a repeat of last year's huge conference, which drew close to 65,000 participants.

The return was not unexpected. The organization said it planned to come back. Only the date was up in the air. This year's theme will be "Breaking Down the Walls," not what Behring envisions might happen in a quake but what Promise Keepers spokesmen describe as reaching beyond racial and denominational barriers to show unity in Jesus Christ.

That theme represents the sixth promise of a Promise Keeper. The other promises are to honor Christ through worship, prayer and obedience; to pursue vital relationships with other men in small groups and to help them keep their promises; to practice spiritual, moral, ethical and sexual purity; to build strong marriages and families; to support the mission of the church and local pastors; and to influence the world by loving God and neighbor and by making disciples of all nations.

Craig Chastain, spokesman for the upcoming Kingdome event, said registration for the event is $60, up $5 from last year's fee.

Former University of Colorado football Coach Bill McCartney, the co-founder of Promise Keepers, is scheduled to be among the speakers, Chastain said.

Promise Keepers began in 1990 as a movement to help men become better husbands, fathers and community leaders. Events are open to non-Christian men as well as Christian men. Women do not attend.

Mike Vantine, field ministry representative for Promise Keepers of Washington State, said people wishing to register can call 1-800-888-7595 or 1-800-265-6023 and give the Seattle conference code number of 96354.