Joint Christian, Gov’t Effort Ignites Hearts of Men in Bahamas
To ignite a leadership movement among the men, Promise Keepers became participants in Prime Minister Christie's innovative Urban Renewal Program, which posits local churches at the forefront of the spiritual battle.
At the invitation of the prime minister of the Bahamas, America's largest men's ministry brought their stadium-style conference and more to Nassau. The relationship represents a growing trend of Christian diplomacy – bringing the Gospel via high level ministers to other nations.
According to Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie, college graduation rates are 80 percent among women and 20 percent among men. Meanwhile, a disproportionate number of young men are in prison.
"We have an obligation to understand or try to answer this question: what is happening to our men?” the prime minister told Denver-based Promise Keepers (PK).
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To ignite a leadership movement among the men, PK became participants in Prime Minister Christie's innovative Urban Renewal Program, which posits local churches at the forefront of the spiritual battle.
From Monday through Saturday, Nov. 7-12, PK helped local congregations with Christian evangelism events, works of compassion, women’s and youth ministry, tutoring and job training, and prison outreach.
Special community-building events included dining with local families, High Tea with the Governor General, a 3-kilometer fun run/walk, a golf tournament, and a women’s workshop with Toni Fortson – wife of PK President and CEO Dr. Tom Fortson.
“I think what we need to do, not only in the Bahamas, but in other countries, is to have Christian men who keep their promises involved in every aspect of society, to influence the society and impact men in the marketplace,” said Fortson.
The joint effort between PK and the Bahamas prime minister was not the first sign of Christian diplomacy. National leaders of other countries are inviting leading Christian ministries into their borders to promote spiritual development and friendship.
In May 2005, a Christian/Muslim joint concert took place in Morocco. Regional President Abdelali Doumou and Wali (Governor) Mohamed Hassad invited Harry Thomas, co-founder of Creation Fest; the Rev. Richard Cizik, vice-president of governmental affairs for National Association of Evangelicals; and the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council to open friendly dialogue. The event drew 50,000 Muslims each day of the three-day music fest.
In July 2005, mega-church pastor Rick Warren visited Rwanda where he launched the Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E. plan in cooperation with Rwanda President Paul Kagame. The goal is to tackle the five pervasive problems that affect billions of people – spiritual darkness, lack of servant leaders around the world, poverty, disease, and ignorance. Warren and Kagame hope for Rwanda to become the "world's first purpose-driven nation" – a phrase that is rooted in the belief that the purpose of life is to love God.
And more recently, in August 2005, Blair Foundation founder and president, Dr. Charles E. Blair, announced that funds to plant 1,000 churches in the unreached region of Benishangul-Gumuz in Ethiopia had been secured. The project, called the “Ethiopian Call,” was officially launched on Sept. 1, 2003 and originated from and was supported by the region’s born-again president, Yaregal Aysheshim.
