YOUNGSTOWN- A group of men from the Mahoning Valley is continuing its search for local support for a faith rally in May.

Men of Faith, comprised of men from more than 30 local churches, is organizing the Men's Rally in the Valley for May 8 at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown.

According to Walter "Bing" Newton of Leetonia, a retired Salem High School teacher and coach and leader of the Men of Faith group, the event will be similar to the prominent Promise Keepers rally.

"The inspiration came from Promise Keepers, which many of us have attended for years," he said.

But Promise Keepers is not being held in 2010.

"So we felt God urging us to have our own," he added. "It is a positive thing for this valley."

Newton noted that volunteers have already raised and deposited with the Covelli Centre all of the funds needed to secure the downtown arena for May 8. But that an additional $25,000 is needed for speakers, traveling expenses for out-of-town speakers, sound equipment rental and local advertising.

"Our group includes several pastors from the Youngstown and Warren areas, western Pennsylvania and Columbiana and Jefferson counties," he said. "But we want to give all pastors and congregations throughout the Mahoning Valley an opportunity to support this event to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Members of the Men's Rally speaking team will be visiting local churches on Jan. 10 to collect donations specifically for the event.

"We've accomplished an incredible amount of work with our volunteer army, and now we are praying that local church leaders can help bring this event to the next level," Newton said, noting that the donations will be used to keep ticket prices low and any extra funds beyond seed money for next year's event will be given to ministries in the valley.

Local churches directly involved include the Old North Church in Canfield, the Greenford Christian Church and the Salem First Friends Church.

Challenging men to step up and take responsibility for their families, the event will bring an important message to an area that seems to need it, according to Salem First Friends Senior Pastor John Pierce.

"As a pastor, I see men being disconnected from their families more and more," he said.

"This event is about challenging men to be men, to reconnect with their kids and wife, become the leaders of their family. Divorce rate is so high in this area; kids are growing up without fathers in the household."

Businesses and individuals can send monetary donations to Men of Faith, P. O. Box 404, Canfield OH 44406; or call Ed Bernat at 330-702-1951 or John Locicero at 330-457-9325.

For information about the Men's Rally in the Valley visit www.mensrally.org.

Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net