Promise Keepers pass up the Northwest for the first time

Christian News Northwest/February 2, 2002

For the first time since the Promise Keepers men's movement began major stadium or arena rallies on a national level in 1994, there will apparently be no such event this year in the Pacific Northwest.

The Colorado-based ministry last month announced its schedule of 16 rallies across the nation this year, none of which will be held in Oregon or Washington. The closest will be held Oct. 11 and 12 in Stockton, Calif., near Sacramento. There also will be one in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 1-2.

The Web site for Promise Keepers indicated that previously announced 2002 conferences in Seattle and El Paso, Texas, have been canceled "due to contractural issues."

Promise Keepers headquarters referred media questions to its public relations agency, the DeMoss Group. A DeMoss spokesman told Christian News Northwest that while the Web site stated that more cities "may be added" to the schedule, his agency had not been told of any efforts to add a Washington or Oregon site this year.

Since 1994, rallies have been held on an annual basis in various Northwest cities, including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Eugene.