For thousands of men, this past weekend in Mobile, Ala., was a special time of fellowship and a &#8220building up of the soul and the spirit.”

This also included a group of Crenshaw County men, most of whom are members of the First Baptist Church in Luverne.

Approximately 20 men left the First Baptist Church last Friday afternoon headed to the Promise Keepers Convention in Mobile. This is the 17th year of the conference ministry, a ministry which focuses on men's relationships with God, their families, their church, and their fellow man.

&#8220We have a wonderful time,” Joe Russell of Luverne said. &#8220This brings you closer to your Savior.”

The group left Friday afternoon, June 29, and returned Saturday evening.

&#8220This will be the third trip for some of us,” Russell added.

During the conference, the group heard inspirational speakers such as Reggie Dabbs, a staff evangelist at First Assembly of God in Ft. Meyers, Fla., who uses humor to help teenagers meet their problems head-on. They also heard from Bob Cornuke, a former police investigator and SWAT team member, who has participated in over 20 expeditions around the world searching for lost locations described in the Bible. He has appeared on National Geographic, CBS, NBC's &#8220Dateline,” &#8220Good Morning, America,” FOX, The History Channel, and CNN, just to name a few. In addition to being a biblical investigator, Cornuke is also a best-selling author.

The men also got the chance to hear Dan Seaborn, a featured speaker at churches and marriage conferences and university assemblies. Seaborn encourages individuals and families to lead &#8220Christ-centered homes.”

Seaborn was also the pastor of a church in Michigan where he and his youth group originated the &#8220W.W.J.D.” (&#8220What Would Jesus Do?”) bracelet phenomenon.