Strength, faith on display at Hallsville Heritage Days

COLUMBIA — Breaking bricks, tearing phone books and breaking out of handcuffs might not seem like a message of Christian faith, but that is what The Power Team is hoping to bring to the Hallsville Heritage Days this weekend.

“The message is a message of motivation, inspiration and gospel presentation,” said Danny Benedetto, road manager for The Power Team, a group that has been touring the country demonstrating feats of strength since 1976. “We do the feats to get the attention of our audience.”

Hallsville Baptist Church, Centralia Baptist Church and Grandview Baptist Church in Centralia* came together to bring the group to the annual Hallsville Heritage Days. The Power Team will be giving strength demonstrations at the event on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The group of men, many weighing more than 300 pounds, will also attend assemblies at summer school sessions in Hallsville and Mexico, Mo.

“In the schools, we don’t ever talk about Jesus Christ,” Benedetto said. “The message we give in schools is anti-drug, anti-alcohol, 'true love waits' and academic excellence.”

Benedetto said the super-powered demonstrations would encourage students to listen to the team’s positive messages. He also said their shows are not just for kids. Benedetto said he always hopes to see an audience ranging from age “8 to 88.”

“It’s a family event,” Benedetto said.

The Heritage Days will offer an array of other family events from Wednesday through Sunday at the Hallsville Fairgrounds, including livestock shows, hockey exhibitions, queen contests, mud volleyball, washers tournaments, a quilt show and a barbecue contest.