Promise Keepers is an evangelical Christian organization that focuses on building godly men through conferences, resources, and events. It started in 1990 by Bill McCartney and has grown into a well-known ministry reaching millions of men worldwide. The name ‘Promise Keepers’ comes from the idea that godly men should be promise keepers – keeping their promises to God, their families, and their communities.
The core mission of Promise Keepers is to see men transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their motto is “Real Men, Real Life Change.” They aim to help men strengthen their Christian faith, become better husbands and fathers, build lasting friendships, and make a positive impact in their spheres of influence. Promise Keepers events typically involve worship, teaching from the Bible, and opportunities for men to pray, repent, and renew their commitment to following Jesus.
Promise Keepers is perhaps best known for the large conferences they hosted in the 1990s, attracting over 1 million men at their peak in 1996. While they no longer host stadium-sized gatherings, Promise Keepers continues to put on conferences, rallies, and events across the United States and in some international locations. These gatherings aim to challenge and equip men to live out their faith 24/7, not just during a conference. There is a focus on racial reconciliation and unity within the body of Christ.
In addition to live events, Promise Keepers offers many online and print resources. Their website contains articles, videos, podcasts, and access to past conference teachings to continue impacting men daily. Topics covered include leadership, marriage, parenting, discipleship, and outreach. There are also daily devotionals men can subscribe to. Books, Bible studies, curriculums, and DVD-based small group resources are available as well.
Promise Keepers has seven promises they encourage men to commit to: Honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and obedience to His Word; Pursuing vital relationships with a few other men for spiritual growth; Practicing spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity; Building strong marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values; Supporting the mission of the church by honoring and praying for my pastor and by actively giving my time and resources; Reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity; and Influencing my world, being obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
This international ministry is funded through conference fees, product sales, and donations from individuals and churches. Promise Keepers has faced some controversy and declining attendance numbers since its heyday in the 90s, but remains committed to calling men to godliness, integrity, and living for Christ daily. Through their events, resources, and coordinated prayer efforts, Promise Keepers continues to make an impact worldwide – reminding men of the promises they have made and challenging them to be promise keepers.
History of Promise Keepers
Promise Keepers was founded in 1990 by Bill McCartney, who was the head football coach for the University of Colorado at the time. McCartney had a vision for challenging men to reconcile with God and live out their faith boldly. He wanted to help men keep the promises they had made to God, their families, and themselves.
The first Promise Keepers event was held in 1991 at Folsom Field stadium in Boulder, Colorado with 4,200 men attending. From there, the movement continued gaining momentum. In 1992, 22 conferences were held to over 85,000 men. By 1996, Promise Keepers stadium events reached their peak, with over 1.1 million men at conferences across the United States that year.
Promise Keepers became a phenomenal success in its first decade. Men were drawn to the call to integrity, sexual purity, and spiritual leadership for their families. The events featured passionate worship, convicting sermons, and emotional times of prayer and reconciliation. Speakers like Tony Evans, Chuck Swindoll, and Gary Smalley drew large crowds.
However, attendance and revenues began declining in the late 90s into the 2000s. Critics claimed Promise Keepers was too political or that the movement had lost its focus. Financial difficulties and leadership changes also contributed to the downward trends. Nevertheless, Promise Keepers pressed on with its mission of transforming men worldwide.
While they no longer host the massive stadium rallies, Promise Keepers continues to hold mid-sized regional events. They have also expanded their content offerings through daily devotionals, videos, books, Bible studies, and more. There is increased ethnic diversity represented as well. Conferences still aim to call men to godly manhood and to make and keep their promises to God.
Promise Keepers Events
The main way Promise Keepers has impacted millions of men is through their inspirational events. While conferences in the 90s could draw 80,000+ men for a weekend rally, today Promise Keepers events have scaled down but still transform lives. Conferences typically take place over 2-3 days in various churches and arenas across America.
Promise Keepers events usually consist of passionate worship times, messages from prominent speakers, and small group breakout sessions. There are opportunities for prayer including corporate prayer as well as sharing requests with other attendees. Many men experience healing, renewal, and empowerment to live differently through the intimate brotherhood and encouragement received.
In addition to their stadium-sized conferences in the 90s, here are some of the major events Promise Keepers has coordinated in recent years:
- Since 2009, Promise Keepers has partnered with local churches to host over 130 smaller regional events called “A Time to Honor.” These 1 day gatherings call men to honor Christ, their family, and their brothers in Christ.
- In July 2012, over 4,000 men gathered in AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas for a 20th anniversary Promise Keepers conference.
- PK Select Events were launched in 2015, providing more intimate 3-4 hour gatherings focused on worship, preaching, and small groups.
- The “Rise of the Servant Kings” 2016 Conference was held in Indianapolis, IN and simulcast to over 80 host churches nationwide.
- In 2017, Promise Keepers hosted the “REIGNITE” and “IGNITE” conferences calling men to passionately live out their faith.
- “Hands of Faith” events encouraging community service and outreach were launched in 2018.
- In 2020, the first-ever virtual Promise Keepers conference was held due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Promise Keepers has announced upcoming conferences in 2023 and 2024, including a 30th anniversary event. While formats continue adapting, the focus remains on equipping men to keep their promises to God and their families.
Mission and Vision of Promise Keepers
According to their website, the mission of Promise Keepers is “to provide resources that equip men to be promise keepers to God, their families, their churches and their communities.” Their vision is for men to walk in purity before God and actively strengthen their homes, churches, and society overall.
More specifically, here are 7 core promises Promise Keepers calls men to commit to:
- Faith: Honor Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and obedience to His Word
- Purity: Pursue vital relationships with a few other men for spiritual growth
- Integrity: Practice spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity
- Family: Build strong marriages and families through love, protection and biblical values
- Service: Support the mission of the church by honoring and praying for my pastor and by actively giving my time and resources
- Brotherhood: Reach beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity
- Discipleship: Influence my world, being obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission
In calling men to keep these promises, Promise Keepers aims to see men transformed by Christ, actively growing in faith, building strong marriages, serving in church, showing unity, and reaching the lost. The overall goal is men who are promise keepers in every area of life.
Promise Keepers’ Reconciliation Message
One unique aspect of Promise Keepers from its beginning has been the message of racial reconciliation. At events in the 90s, speakers would have men of different ethnicities and denominations forgive, embrace, and pray for one another.
Promise Keepers arose at a time when Christianity was still very divided along racial lines in America. Even today, most churches remain segregated ethnically. Promise Keepers has sought to breakdown walls and model the biblical mandate that all believers are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
The 2020 Conference highlighted this theme strongly, coinciding with increased racial tensions in America. Speakers called for empathy, repentance of racism, and building bridges between ethnic groups. While America still has a long way to go, Promise Keepers continues promoting reconciliation.
In addition to reconciliation between races, Promise Keepers also tears down denominational walls. Their events attract Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Non-denominational, and various other church backgrounds. The unity amongst diversity is a powerful testimony and call to oneness in the body of Christ.
Promise Keepers Resources
In addition to conferences, Promise Keepers offers many resources for men to continue growing in their faith and responsibilities:
- Website: Their website, promisekeepers.org, contains videos, podcasts, daily devotionals, event information, and more.
- Radio: The Promise Keepers Radio Network launched in 2021, providing biblical encouragement 24/7.
- Books: Topics like manhood, marriage, and integrity are explored in books Promise Keepers publishes.
- Bible Studies: Studies and curriculums for small groups are available on topics like courage and leadership.
- PK Blog and Magazines: Relevant articles on family, cultural issues, and Biblical perspectives are published regularly.
- Partnerships: Promise Keepers partners with local churches to further provide events, content, and ministry opportunities for men.
The goal of these materials is continuing to challenge men to grow beyond conferences. Follow-up resources help men apply Biblical truth and actively strengthen their devotion to Christ and their families long-term.
Criticisms of Promise Keepers
As a prominent evangelical organization, Promise Keepers has faced criticisms over the years. Some have claimed their rallies are overly emotional and promote “soft” or unbiblical views of manhood. The group’s decreasing diversity and recent financial troubles have also been issues.
Here are some key criticisms Promise Keepers has received:
- Events use emotional tactics some claim unbiblical, like screaming prayers and hugging strangers.
- Teachings some view as promoting muscular Christianity and chauvinism.
- Lack of financial transparency with lavish spending by leaders in the past.
- Their peak in 1990s followed by waning attendance and revenues since.
- Declining diversity – peaked at about 25% non-white attendance but now predominantly white.
- Some callPromise Keepers too political, arguing they have pushed a conservative agenda.
Defenders of Promise Keepers say criticisms often mischaracterize the ministry or hold them to standards other organizations are not. The group has clearly faced challenges but continues providing invaluable Biblical teaching and brotherhood to millions of men worldwide according to supporters.
Impact and Success of Promise Keepers
While Promise Keepers has received criticism, the organization has also seen tremendous success in its mission:
- Conferences have reached over 10 million men throughout history, transforming lives.
- Marriages and families have been restored through their teachings on servant leadership.
- Hundreds of thousands of pastors have been encouraged and supported in ministry.
- Men have found freedom through repentance and prayer offered at events.
- Leaders like Dr. Tony Evans and Bishop TD Jakes endorse Promise Keepers’ life-changing impact.
- Promise Keepers is recognized as playing a significant role in the 1990s boom of mega churches.
- Their model of large-scale men’s gatherings has been replicated by many churches globally.
While not without flaws, God has clearly used Promise Keepers tremendously. Through their conferences and resources, Promise Keepers has helped men draw closer to Christ, live with integrity, and make an eternal impact on their families and churches.
Conclusion
For over thirty years, Promise Keepers has helped men live out their faith and keep their promises. This ministry calls men to godliness in all areas of life including faith, family, purity, service, discipleship, and reconciliation. Through conferences, events, and resources, Promise Keepers continues influencing men to honor Jesus Christ with their whole lives.
