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)
