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
Group to bring ‘strong’ message to local schools, church
Strength Team coming to McLeansboro
- Local
-
-
Coal mine officials plan for rail loop
With a new coal mine in Hamilton County nearly halfway complete, the mine developer is proposing the relocation of a county road in preparation for construction of a rail spur.
-
Fifty years for sexual assault
A former Hamilton County man received a 50-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 in 2008.
-
Meeting on land leasing scheduled
Farmers and other landowners who’ve been approached about leasing their land for potential drilling sites have an opportunity to learn more at a meeting next week.
-
Donations of items for All-Schools Reunion continue
Donations for the 2012 Hamilton County All-Schools Reunion raffle continue to come in.
-
Local man named RLC president
A Hamilton County native will be the new president of Rend Lake College.
-
Legal Self-Help Center opens at local library
People in need of a little legal help now have another place to turn — the local public library.
-
Circuit clerk challenger wins
Hamilton County will have a new circuit clerk later this year, assuming vote totals from this week’s primary hold up.
-
IDOT commits $2.15M to new county truck route
A major piece of funding is in place for a proposed new truck route in Hamilton County.
-
Local water operator honored
Recognition as Illinois Rural Water Association’s Water Operator of the Year isn’t just about him, Hamilton County Water District’s superintendent says.
-
Hospital board tables bond ordinance
Requesting more information “in black and white,” Hamilton Memorial Hospital District’s board of directors on Tuesday tabled an ordinance authorizing the refinancing of hospital district facilities.
- More Local Headlines
-
Coal mine officials plan for rail loop
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
