preachers who travelled to the Island to give a series of lectures.

Bill McCartney and Raleigh Washington are part of "Promise Keepers'', a United States-based organisation that teaches men to play an integral part in their families and communities by following the example of Jesus Christ.

Mr. McCartney, of Denver, was head coach of the top-ranked University of Colorado football team before he joined "Promise Keepers'' upon its inception in 1990.

Lt. Col. Washington, originally a native of Chicago, Illinois, is a former church pastor and officer in the US Army.

The two spoke to parishioners at a series of five talks, given at the First Church of God in Pembroke East this past week.

Yesterday, Mr. McCartney told The Royal Gazette : "If you look up the word `integrity' in the dictionary, you'll find several definitions; honesty, candour, not artificial, not shallow and no empty promises.

"That's what we are all about,'' he said. "We want to help men become men of integrity, who measure their words.

Asked what that meant exactly, he explained: "That means that if a guy promises to his children that he will spend time with them, he won't break his word.'' Mr. McCartney said "Promise Keepers'' tried to instil this unwavering reliability in men by teaching them about Jesus Christ and asking them to make seven promises.

These include making pledges: "To honour Jesus Christ through worship and prayer''; "to pursue vital relationships with a few other men''; " to practice spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity''; "to build strong marriages and families''; and "to reach beyond any racial and denominational barriers.'' Lt. Col. Washington said: "When men come together there is a unique feeling and we encourage men to use the teachings of Christ to help them reach out to others and even cry.

"It creates a kind of freedom,'' he said. "Men don't need to feel uncomfortable when surrounded by other men.

Mr. McCartney said more than 4 million men had turned up for one "Promise Keepers'' rally in Washington D.C. in 1997.

"In such events we challenge men to stick to the promises of Christ,'' he explained. "They usually last a day and a half and we bring in top preachers to speak on a variety of topics.

"The entire movement originates from the heart,'' Lt. Col. Washington said.

"It helps men to listen to what's in God's heart and start reconciliation from that.'' He continued: "As an American black man I find many similarities between those in Bermuda and the US but also many differences too.

"Bermuda is a nation that is predominantly black and that places the black man in a very different position.'' But Mr. McCartney said he thought many problems in Bermuda, such as homelessness, were linked to the fact that so many children grow up without fathers.

"And things aren't getting better, they're getting worse,'' he said. "But I think many of the problems, in Bermuda just as anywhere else in the world, can be solved by men.

"I would encourage as many men as possible to come to our rallies,'' Mr.

McCartney urged. "It's a life changing experience, I assure you.

"It's up to Bermuda to invite us back but, if we do, then I ask all men to come and see what it's all about.'' The seven pledges which men joining Promise Keepers make: To honour Jesus Christ through worship and prayer and obedience to god's Word through the Holy Spirit To pursue vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises To practise spiritual, moral, ethical and sexual purity To build strong marriages and families through love, protection and spiritual values To support the mission of his church by honouring and praying for his pastor and by actively giving his time and resources To reach beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the poer of Biblical unity To influence his worl, being obedient to the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 19-20) Bill McCartney: Promise Keeper