Local
Group to bring ‘strong’ message to local schools, church
Strength Team coming to McLeansboro
By PAUL LORENZ
paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com
McLEANSBORO — Rip a phone book in half? No problem. Crush a wall of concrete with one blow from an arm — or head? Piece of cake.
Stunts like these are the method to the mission for the Mike Hagen Strength Team, which is coming to Hamilton County this weekend.
Christian Chapel Church is hosting the Strength Team’s display of muscle and ministry Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the church on Illinois Route 242 north of McLeansboro.
The Strength Team will also be bringing its motivational message to Hamilton County schools on Friday: 8:15 a.m. at East Side School, 9:30 a.m. at Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School and 12:30 p.m. at Dahlgren School.
Gary Carr, a member at Christian Chapel Church, said he first learned of and saw the Strength Team at his mother’s church in Cedartown, Ga., and had the idea to try to bring the group here.
“At my mother’s church, 1,200 people got saved through the course of the program,” Carr said. “It was awesome.”
Strength Team’s heart is to “serve the local church” with its mission to share the Gospel message and reach people for Jesus Christ, according to information on its Web site.
Its feats of strength get people’s attention, giving the Strength Team’s evangelists and pastors the opportunity to share the Gospel message.
Hagen, president and founder of the Strength Team, is a former professional football player who has been serving in this type of ministry for more than 20 years.
The team’s members include pro football players, body builders, power lifters “and even a professional bull rider,” the Web site states.
Strength Team’s school assemblies are secular in nature but offer a “life-touching message” with the goal of attracting both students and their parents to the church event.
“They will talk about morals, drugs, hanging out with the right folks,” Carr said of the school events.
Several local individuals, churches and businesses came up with funding to support the school programs, Carr said.
“We are hoping to have an influence on every church in the community,” he said of the event.
IF YOU GO:
• What: Mike Hagen Strength Team
• When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Christian Chapel Church (one mile north of McLeansboro on Illinois 242)
• Info: 643-4300 or www.strengthteam.com
• Etc.: free admission (an offering will be taken)
- Local
-
-
All-class reunion in the works
If you attended high school here, you might want to keep July 2012 open on your calendar.
-
Reward increased to $50,000
Recent acts of vandalism against power substations and power poles in Hamilton and Franklin counties have forced Southern Illinois Power Cooperative to increase the reward from $10,000 to $50,000 for tips leading to the arrest of vandals.
-
Tillis to headline Fall Festival lineup
Country music legend Mel Tillis will be the featured entertainment at this year’s Kiwanis Fall Festival.
-
Extracurricular policy revised
A policy revision approved Tuesday night by the Hamilton County Unit 10 Board of Education draws the line regarding extracurricular athletic participation by its students.
-
County Board votes to put ‘concealed carry’ question on ballot
Voters in Hamilton County will have the chance to voice their opinion at the ballot box regarding “concealed carry” legislation.
-
Transformer vandals sought
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a recent incident which had the potential to cost its victim — an area power company — up to $2 million, a company statement said.
-
Committee looks to add sidewalks at track facility
This spring, Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School hosted track meets for the first time in years thanks to a new all-weather track.
-
Audit: City finances in good shape
The city’s financial management got positive marks and its budget showed mostly positive balances for the recently concluded fiscal year, according to the annual audit report presented at the City Council meeting Tuesday night.
-
Home rehab help
Homeowners in Hamilton County who need major repairs to their homes may be eligible for help from Wabash Area Development Inc.
-
Mom charged with kidnapping
Kidnapping and child abduction charges have been filed against a woman accused of taking her son from a rural Hamilton County home in violation of an order of protection.
- More Local Headlines
-
All-class reunion in the works





