The Power Team has a mighty message for today’s students

By Gina Farthing

Published: August 26, 2008

Athletes continue to be huge role models for children and youth. Don’t believe it?
Think back to when Jesse Owens won a gold in the Olympics, Mark Spitz’s seven gold medal triumph or Michael Phelps outwinning every Olympian with eight golds. Take a look at what professional football or basketball players make these days. Their paychecks prove the public is willing to pay whatever it takes to see them, hear them, touch them — be them.
Such is the power behind The Power Team, a non-denominational group of crusading athletes.
Todd Keene, at six-foot, six-inches, weighing 300 pounds, is the president of the team, and was a football player with the NCAA Miami Hurricanes.
Craig Lemley, who weights 265 and is six-foot, two-inches tall was a Oklahoman State Body Building champion. He can bench press more than 500 pounds.
Jannet Abraham-Clark, was known as the “Abra-hammer” from the TV show “Roller Jam.”
They might not be called, Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger or “Ricky Steamboat,” but get a look at them on the team’s Web site and you’ll know they’re no one to be messed with.
The Victory Worship Center in Staunton is anticipating that the team’s athleticism and speaking ability have the power to persuade. That’s why they’ve invited the team and its school programs to Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County — to help students choose better decisions for their lives
“The team talks to kids about certain topics,” says church crusade director Victor Bullard. “They speak to the kids about bullying, making good choices, gangs, drugs, academic achievement and abstinence.
“School administrators determine the topics of the 45-minute assembly.”
Bullard says the message the team members deliver is a message that youth today can use.
The feats of strength are merely used to gain the kids attention only.
“They bend bats, rip phone books in half, bend steel bars in their teeth and blow up hot water bottles with their own breath,” says Danny Benedetto, a spokesperson with The Power Team.
“They’re anti-drug, anti-alcohol, anti-bullying. They talk about academic excellence. And it’s all catered to the administration’s needs and wants at their particular schools,” he said.
“We teach, ‘True love waits.’ ” Benedetto says.
The Power Team also does crusade activities, to which the Victory Worship Center will provide the venue from Sept. 17 through 21 at 7 p.m. Those shows are 90 minutes, longer than the 45-minutes abbreviated school assembly programs.
And although The Power Team crusades for Christ and God, those names are never mentioned at school assemblies.
“They’re totally separate from the crusades. [We recognize] the separation of church and state,” Benedetto says. 
The Power Team will be making their appearances Sept. 18 and 19. To date six schools have arranged assemblies: Craigsville Elementary, Beverley Manor Elementary, Waynesboro High School, R.E. Lee High School, Wilson Memorial High School and Stuarts Draft High School.
“The kids really need to hear the motivational messages,” Benedetto says, “no matter their race, gender or religion.”