Champions of Faith
April 26, 2008, 3-8 p.m. in Great Hall
And Jesus said, "Go!" This simple yet powerful commandment to bring others to Christ is the theme of the fourth Champions of Faith Men's Ministry Conference on Saturday, April 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the St. Andrew's Great Hall.
"Through speakers, music, fellowship and food, we want to inspire guys from all walks of life to be men of God," said John Straiton, St. Andrew's associate pastor and head of Men's Ministry. "We have opportunities every day to touch the lives of others in the work place, in homes, on athletic fields, and in social settings. Champions of Faith is about strengthening our faith and being loving husbands, fathers and friends."
The conference will feature the following speakers who will describe being Christ-centered men in today's competitive world:
| Dr. Greham Bayne, MD, is the founder of the Call Doctor Medical Group which brings comprehensive medical care into homes across the country. Call Doctor is credited with starting the national movement culminating in nearly four million Medicare house calls last year. Dr. Bayne is the former chairman of U.S. Naval Hospital San Diego's EMS Department and Associate Director of LifeFlight. In 2004, Dr. Bayne was confirmed as president of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians. He has received numerous awards, including the AAHCP National Housecall Physician of the Year in 2005. |
 |
Jack Fortin, is president of Centered Leadership and senior lecturer at Luther Seminary. An ordained pastor of the ELCA, Fortin worked with Young Life ministry for 20 years. After Young Life, Fortin served as senior vice president of operations at World Vision. He then served as director of Wilder Forest, a center for ecological community building and youth development. Fortin also maintains his private practice as managing associate and senior consultant with Human Technologies. He has written several publications; Centered Life is his most recent book.
|
 |
|
Pastor John Straiton began his ministry with Young Life where he was the area director of South Minneapolis for seven years. In 1981, he established Washburn Community Ministry and served as its executive director for four years. In 1985, Straiton joined Mount Olivet Lutheran Church as minister of youth and served in that position for six years before joining the St. Andrew's pastoral staff in 1991.
|
 |
"In addition to great speakers, Champions of Faith will feature The Chouinard Men who will raise the roof with their incredible music," said Tony Belden, a member of the conference planning team. "They will reunite for the first time since 2002 for our conference."
The Chouinard Men - dad John and sons Joe, Dan, Bill and Paul - grew together in a musical household and have performed at churches, private parties, large arenas and outdoor venues. Their separate careers have featured performances with Robert Robinson, Garrison Keillor, Celine Dion and other national and international entertainers.
Champions of Faith also will include a delicious dinner catered by the award-winning Lake Elmo Inn.
"It's rare that we have an opportunity to gather as men to discuss the challenges we face as Christians in a secular world," said Stephen Yohn, a member of the Men's Ministry leadership team. "As coaches, teachers, mentors, managers, husbands and fathers, we influence many others by our words and actions. The conference promises to inspire and equip us to be men of faith to those around us."
"Champions of Faith is an opportunity to invite a friend, brother, son, neighbor or colleague to a life-changing event," Straiton commented. "It promises to be fun, exciting, entertaining, challenging, and a day to remember!"
Tickets for Champions of Faith are $35 ($25 is tax-deductible), and scholarships are available. "We want to give every man the opportunity to celebrate his faith and encourage him to move into a deeper and more passionate walk with the Lord," Straiton said.
Tickets may be purchased online and they will be mailed to you. You may also purchase tickets on Sunday mornings or by calling Ronda at 651-762-9105. General seating will be available in the Great Hall; however, eight tickets can be purchased for the price of seven ($245) so men can sit with their guests at dinner in the Youth and Sports Center. Tickets will not be available at the door.