Stevie B brings his Breakthough Ministry to Arizona

By LeeAnn Sharpe

If a child hasn’t had an introduction to the spiritual experience by the time they graduate high school, it’s unlikely he will ever have the opportunity as an adult. Stephen Baldwin and the Breakthrough Ministry are working to give hundreds of thousands of young people the opportunity to be “born again” in a fun and exciting way. They use extreme sports as the draw and rock music and youthful speakers to deliver the message. The idea is that a youngster who has made a commitment to Christ will turn away from violence, drugs and sex and lead a righteous life.

Stephen Baldwin, born May 12, 1966 in Massapequa, NY, is an American actor, best known by adults for his roles in the 1995 film The Usual Suspects or his TV Series the Young Riders (1989-1992). But the kids know him as Barney Rubble from The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000), team captain Sean Linden in Slap Shot 2 (2002) and Doyle in Bio-Dome (1996). Baldwin credits his role in Bio-Dome with his popularity among the kids he seeks to reach today. They flock to him as if he’s one of them. He’s the narley skateboarding, hockey playing, kid on the street out having fun.

The youngest of the acting Baldwin brothers, with brothers Daniel, William, and Alec, Stephen had a religious conversion after Sept 11, 2001. He gave up smoking, stopped drinking. His wife, Kennya, had been a devoutly practicing Christian for several years when he had an epiphany. Their nanny from Brazil had made a prediction back in 1993, that Stephen and his wife would have a ministry, and her prediction has come to pass.

Baldwin directed and produced Livin' It and Livin' It LA films that focus on Christian athletes involved in extreme sports and evangelism after his 2003 experience in Ft Lauderdale with the Luis Palau Ministry and Kevin Palau. The goal was to distribute 20,000 videos but in the first 6 months they sold 50,000 and to date over 200,000. They also did a 100 city skateboarding tour. Through small parking lot skateboarding gatherings they have already brought the message to over 100,000 young people.

His Breakthrough Ministry, begun in January 2007 in San Diego, features skateboarding and extreme sports, Christian rock concerts, laser light shows and fireworks. The hope is to use culturally relevant tools to reach the youth of America. They are calling it the AsSalt Tour with a December 15th event in Phoenix’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The mainstream Christian rock group P.O.D. (Payable on Death) will perform. Their song Alive was the theme for the Winter Olympics and their music has been included in many popular movies and tv shows. Stars of Skateboarding, including Christian Hosoi, Brian Sumner, Andre Genovesi and Josh Kasper will perform. BMX Freestyle, X Games Gold Medalist Bruce Crisman and Dew Tour Vert Finalist Mike Mancuso will be there too. Showing off his God given talent in Extreme Freestyle Motocross will be 3007 X Games Gold Medalist for “Best New Trick” Kyle Loza , plus many more performances, choreographed laser lights and pyrotechnics are all promised with jumbo-trons broadcasting the action up close. And admission is free, first come first served basis. They will also have a car Show and Hip-Hop Show live in the parking lot.

Baldwin will play host to the action. He says, “For me. Being born again was the most awesome thing that has ever happened in my life, and I had a pretty awesome life already.” His book “The Unusual Suspect” details his life and conversion to faith made it onto the New York Times bestseller list.

The AsSalt Tour’s purpose is to “Pierce the darkened hearts of today’s youth with the light of Christ.” It has become obvious that the youth of today are not being reached in an effective or truly relevant way. The Breakthrough believes this is unacceptable and will now take the necessary action to reach a lost generation.

The passion of the Breakthrough Ministry is to see the youth of the world become empowered and set free, so they can make better choices and become the world-changers that God intended them to be. Baldwin says, “We believe the greatest way to ensure the future of America is the rest of the world is to evangelize the youth today.”

When he first became involved in ministering to the youth of America, he asked that they not call it a “ministry” because that would be the kiss of death for his career in Hollywood. But there was no other way to describe what he was doing. It was a ministry. When he realized the prophesy his Brazilian nanny foretold had come to fruition he experienced the most powerful moment in his life. And so far it seems to have had a positive impact on his life. The phone rings off the hook offering him more work than ever.

With over 60 movies in his career Baldwin has made a pretty good living as an actor. In 2002, he participated in “Celebrity Mole Hawaii”, the first celebrity edition of “The Mole”. ABC broadcast the reality show in early 2003. Later that year he returned for “Celebrity Mole Yucatan”, which ABC aired in early 2004. In 2004, he became the host of another reality show “Scare Tactics”, which was broadcast on The Sci Fi Channel. In 2006, Baldwin starred in “The Genius Club” for writer/director Tim Chey. The film is about seven geniuses who try to solve the world's problems in a single night. In August 2007, he was back on television when CMT cast Baldwin in Ty Murray’s “Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge”. He was among nine celebrities cast on the show. In the first episode, Baldwin was injured after taking a bad fall from a bull, breaking his shoulder blade and cracking a rib.

In contrast to his brothers Alec and William, who are noted Democrats and avid Bush opponents, Stephen is a Bush supporter. Calling himself an Independent, Baldwin makes occasional appearances with Republican political figures and, in April 2007, was a special White House guest for the annual White House Egg Roll.

“People constantly ask me for details of my "Damascus Road" experience (see Acts 9) that made me give my life to Jesus Christ. Most assume I hit bottom and had nowhere else to turn. They're wrong.” For more of the story read his book “The Unusual Suspect”.

Breakthrough Radio airs Sundays 12pm-1pm on 1360AM KPXQ. They advertise “This ain’t your grandma’s radio show” gearing the message to the young people, taking calls and sharing their message of faith.

A website with incredible music and graphics attracts young people looking for a connection at http://www.stephenbaldwin.com/break4.htm. The AsSalt Tour is just a part of his ministry. The Tour will hit Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas and Nashville. http://www.assalttour.com/. The 330 Youth Movement gives kids a direction.

Stephen Baldwin’s first and final words at a recent luncheon here in Phoenix at North Christian Baptist Church were, “I’m on a very powerful journey that’s extremely fun for me and I’m inviting you to join me, but I’m going with or without you.”

Author: LeeAnn Sharpe is a freelance writer and can be reached at http://www.leeannsharpe.com/

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Valley-wide 3rd Graders’ Art Featured in Bus Calendar
Entries Now Being Accepted by Valley Metro

 Calling all 3rd graders in the Valley! Valley Metro is looking for artwork to fill the pages of their 2008 calendar that is distributed to residents across the Valley. Youth can enter themselves, or as part of a class art project. Entry forms can be downloaded at valleymetro.org  entries accepted until Friday, October 12, 2007.

 Draw a picture on one of 3 themes. Riding the bus: 1) is a fun way to get to your favorite places, 2) means fewer trips by cars, which saves fuel and money, 3) is a part of the pollution solution to help clean the air.  

Be one of 13 winners featured in the 2008 Valley Metro Transit Education 2008 calendar and win fun prizes including a certificate and a framed copy of each winner’s artwork. Rules of the contest:Artwork can be drawn in water color, tempera, pastels, colored pencils, ink, markers, crayons, or chalk and must be drawn on an 8 x 11 white piece paper.All 3rd graders in Maricopa County during the 2007/2008 school year are eligible to submit artArtwork must be designed and created by an individual student.Contest is limited to one entry per person.Deadline for entry is Friday, October 12th, 2007 at 5 p.m.

Artwork can be mailed or delivered to: Valley Metro/RPTA Attn: Dolores Nolan, 302 N. 1st Avenue, Ste. 700, Phoenix, AZ 85003.Judging is based on successfully illustrating one of the three themes, as well as creativity and neatness. For more information about the contest, contact Dolores Nolan at (602) 262-4001.

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Who Will be Arizona’s Next Millionaire?
Fall 2007 Raffle: Cash, Cars & More – Grand Prize: $1 million cash
Proceeds to benefit St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute      
How would $1 million change your life? Perhaps you would purchase a new home and take a dream vacation to Hawaii, like the Gilbert mother of two, Yvette Sandoval, did after winning Grand Prize #1 in the Spring 2007 Health & Wealth Raffle. Or, maybe you would invest in real estate and decide that from this point forward, you would only fly First Class. That’s what Sun City resident Ellen Lawrence did. She won the $1 million Grand Prize in the Fall 2005 Raffle.

The Fall 2007 Health & Wealth Raffle has returned with your chance to be Arizona’s next millionaire. The Ninth Health & Wealth Raffle since 2003 is still the nation’s largest Raffle with more than 9,000 prizes relating to this Raffle’s theme: Cash, Cars & More. Proceeds support patient care, medical education, and research at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and its internationally-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute.

 “Each time you purchase a Health & Wealth Raffle ticket, you are helping Arizona win with improved healthcare services,” says Mary Jane Crist, Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Foundation and Barrow Neurological Foundation. “Many Raffle winners have shared stories about how their lives changed after winning a big prize. But, it is even more rewarding to hear from patients who credit our doctors, researchers and staff for saving their lives. Raffle dollars help us provide this level of exceptional care.”

 How exactly does the Health & Wealth Raffle benefit Arizona? Consider these facts: Raffle dollars help St. Joseph’s and Barrow stay at the leading edge of medicine. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Barrow on its Top-10 list for neurology and neurosurgery. St. Joseph’s Trauma Center is the only trauma center in Arizona with prestigious Level One verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS), national confirmation that St. Joseph’s is staffed and equipped to care for all kinds of life-threatening injuries. While other hospitals in Arizona may be Level One trauma centers, St. Joseph’s is the only hospital that has undergone the demanding ACS verification process.

 St. Joseph’s is vital to people’s health throughout the state because it serves as a referral center for complex medical problems. Raffle dollars help fund projects and services in the Trauma Center, the new Heart & Lung Institute, the Children’s Health Center, Barrow Neurological Institute and many other areas. Raffle dollars have helped to fund nearly 100 research projects at St. Joseph’s and Barrow. Raffle proceeds are funding research into diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, brain tumors, trauma, heart disease and genetic disease. 

 Health & Wealth Raffle Manager Kathy Rice says it takes just one ticket to win big, and after four years, she can attest that most of the Grand Prize winners have purchased only one ticket or one multi-pack of tickets. “Real people really do win. I’m looking forward to congratulating Arizona’s next new millionaire!” she said.

 While the prizes attract some participants, Rice says the majority of people she speaks with enter because of the cause. “It is fun to dream, but even if you don’t win, you’ll be part of an amazing project that could someday help you or your loved ones. You never know when you may need the specialized care provided at St. Joseph’s and Barrow,” she says. Only 162,500 tickets will be sold in the Fall 2007 Raffle: single tickets are $100, and a limited number of three-packs of tickets for $250 will be available.

Grand Prizes The Fall 2007 Health & Wealth Raffle includes four top prizes:

• Grand Prize #1 - $1 million cash

• Grand Prize #2 - $500,000 cash

• Grand Prize #3 - a 2007 Bentley Continental GT Convertible plus $55,000 cash. Or, the winner can take the cash equivalent of $260,000.

• Grand Prize #4 - a Monaco Grand Prix Experience plus $50,000 cash. The winner will fly to Nice, France, for five days of glamour in Monte Carlo, including dinner with Prince Albert, VIP seats for the world’s most exotic auto race, and tickets to the Cannes Film Festival. Or, the winner can take the cash equivalent of $100,000.

 Early Bird Prize Packages- Health & Wealth Raffle participants who enter before midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, are eligible to win one of two Early Bird Prize Packages. Rice says the Early Bird Prize Packages provide a nice incentive to enter early because the two winning tickets are entered back into the Health & Wealth Raffle and remain eligible for the more than 9,000 prizes in the Final Draw. “With this double-dip option, we’re expecting a frenzy of ticket sales as we get closer to midnight, Oct. 3rd. We encourage everyone to enter early because tickets may not last,” Rice says.

 The two Early Bird prize packages are: Early Bird Prize #1 – A 2007 BMW 328 Convertible and a nine-night romantic cruise on a luxury barge along the canals and rivers of France, plus $18,000. The winner will travel through the French countryside, medieval towns and Paris. Prize Package Value: more than $89,000.

Early Bird Prize #2 – A 2008 Mercedes E320 Bluetec and a seven-night Egyptian Splendor trip, plus $15,000 cash. The winner will spend four nights cruising down the Nile River and three nights exploring Cairo and Egypt’s ancient culture. (This exotic trip even includes a ride on a camel!) Prize Package Value: more than $87,000. 

More Big Prizes- The Fall 2007 Raffle also includes 100 additional big cash prizes, 40 new vehicles, all cars come with cash and three “Experiences of a Lifetime”: Porsche Experience in Germany plus $8,000 cash. This lucky winner will experience the power of the Porsche 911 on a thrilling drive through the Black Forest from Stuttgart to Schlosshotel Buhlerhohe. Prize Package Value: $34,000. Royal Scotsman Train and Castle plus $6,000 cash. The Royal Scotsman Train – weaving through breathtaking Scottish landscapes – is one of the world’s spectacular travel experiences. After the trip, the winner will spend five nights in a castle overlooking the Irish Sea. Prize Package Value: $31,000. Super Bowl XLII – two tickets plus $4,000 cash and two NFL gift baskets. Some lucky winner will view the Super Bowl from lower-level, sideline seats at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on February 3, 2008. Prize Package Value: $16,000.

 How to Enter Health & Wealth Raffle brochures are being mailed to every Arizona household this week. To enter, please visit www.HealthWealthRaffle.org  or call toll-free 1-866-390-9034, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Raffle tickets also may be purchased at kiosks located at St. Joseph’s Hospital, 350 W. Thomas Road, in Phoenix.

The Internal Revenue Service deems that participants’ expenditures of $100 and $250 for purchase entries are not tax deductible. Corresponding taxes on prizes valued at $5,000 or greater must be paid upon award and before receiving the prize.

 Important Fall 2007 Health & Wealth Raffle Dates Key dates for the Fall 2007 Health & Wealth Raffle include: Midnight Wednesday, Oct. 3rd – deadline to purchase tickets for the Early Bird Prize Draw  Friday, Oct. 12th – Early Bird Prize Draw Midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 24th – deadline to purchase tickets for the Final Prize Draw Thursday, Nov. 1st –  Final Prize Draw.

 In the event that all tickets are sold by the Early Bird cut-off date of Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, the Final Prize Draw for the more than 9,000 prizes will take place on Friday, Oct. 12th.
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Opening Weekend of the Turf Paradise 2007-2008 Racing Season
 Turf Paradise will open its 52nd season on Friday, October 5th, 2007. The entire weekend of racing begins Friday, the 5th at 12:30 pm, doors open at 11:00 am.  Dave Pratt, of KMLE Country, will host Saturday, October 6 and there is a free Tee shirt given to the first 3,500 fans. The featured race will be the $45,000 Ahwatukee Express Stakes. The family weekend will also have free Bounce House, pony rides and face painting for kids.

 Turf Facts:  Turf Paradise opened January 7th, 1956. At the time, Bell Road was dirt and the track was the only facility for miles. Turf Paradise consists of 4,500 horse owners, 2,500 of whom are Arizona residents.  There are 300 trainers, 200 grooms, 85 jockeys and 600 breeders. Turf’s main track is one mile in circumference.  The turf course is seven furlongs.

 Although Turf Paradise is located at 19th Avenue and Bell Road, its races are simulcast to 60 Off Track Betting (OTB) sites in Arizona and 1,200 out of state locations. Turf Paradise’s races are wagered on in over 300 foreign countries, including Mexico, England, France, Canada, Germany and the Caribbean.

 Daily Average Purses are Raised to $100,000 for Upcoming Meet!
 Horsemen will be greeted with the largest purse raise in the track’s 52-year history as Turf Paradise will average $100,000 in daily purses for the upcoming race meet. The purse raise represents a 12% increase, from the $89,000 daily average purse distribution last season.

 A 156-day race meet will run from October 5th, 2007 through May 4th, 2008. Live racing will be conducted five days a week, primarily Friday through Tuesday, with the first post at 12:30 p.m. The track is open seven days a week for full card simulcasting, which begins at 9:00 am.

 Turf Paradise, which first opened its doors on January 7th, 1956, is Arizona’s third ranked sports attraction in attendance behind the No. 1 ranked Diamondbacks and the combined attendance of Cactus League Baseball. Turf Paradise is also the sixth most popular tourist attraction in the state, according to the Arizona Business Journal’s Book of Lists.

 The world championship of Thoroughbred racing, the $20 million Breeders’ Cup, will be featured on October 26th and 27th. The Breeders’ Cup, which assembles the best horses in the world to compete over 11 races, will be hosted by Monmouth Park in New Jersey and simulcast in its entirety to Turf Paradise. To note, Lava Man, owned by Steve and Dave Kenley of Phoenix, is being pointed to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
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Starlight Community Theater Presents Award-winning “Fiddler On The Roof”
 Cast includes local and state award-winners, ZONI nominee, and former Miss Arizona
 Starlight Community Theatre proudly announces its upcoming rendition of the Tony‚ Award-winning hit Broadway musical “Fiddler On The Roof”. A talented cast of youth and adults will perform this timeless classic at the Boulder Creek High School Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 14th, Saturday, Sept. 15th, Thursday, Sept. 20th and Saturday, Sept. 22nd at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 23rd at 3:00 p.m.  The house will be dark on Friday, September 21st, Yom Kippur, out of respect for the traditions honored in this production. 

 Tickets for all performances are on sale and can be purchased at Curves of Anthem, Our Kitchen to Yours, Doug DeMuth: Edward Jones Office, the Anthem Community Center. Tickets can also be purchased from a cast member, or by leaving a message for our Ticket Manager, Cathee, at 623-566-7991. Adult tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and youth (ages 12 and under) are $8 and $10. Student ticket prices at the door, with student ID, are $12. Season tickets include all five of Starlight’s season three shows and are available for $50.00 for adults and $35.00 for kids 12 and under. For more information, visit www.StarlightCommunityTheater.org .  

 “This cast is amazing,” said returning Artistic Director Barbara Surloff, a theater educator and director for the past 38 years, producing over 70 productions. “We have leads that have won numerous local and state awards, from a past Miss Arizona to a present ZONI nominee. The actors have performed in local and state productions and all have one thing in common: a passion for the theatre and for music.” 

 Other directors for the show include: Vocal Director Christine Powell who also directed Starlight’s “Music Man” last year; Choreographer Sherry Henderson, current ZONI nominee and Choreographer of six Starlight productions; Orchestral Director Glenn Graca, Assistant Conductor of ProMusica Orchestra based in Anthem. Graca has performed in or conducted the orchestra in many musical theater productions. Starlight co-founder Pat Bennett is producing the show.

 About “Fiddler On the Roof” - Tevye, a poor dairyman, strives to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.  Rich in historical and ethnic detail, “Fiddler On The Roof” has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. It’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. 

 It’s celebrated score by Jerry bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over:  “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Matchmaker”, to name a few.  Starlight is using a 17-piece pit orchestra, over half of which are from ProMusica. All of the musicians are professionals and have previous show experience. “The talent in the orchestra and cast is outstanding,” said Orchestral Director Glenn Graca, “I feel privileged to be involved with such talent, the likes of which is not usually found in community theatre.”

 “Fiddler on the Roof” opened on Broadway on September 22, 1964 and ran for 3,242 performances.  This adaptation is based on the book by Joseph Stein. “I love Fiddler for it’s rich music, worldly themes, and mostly for it’s traditions,” said Surloff.  “The last line at the end of the song Tradition, quoted by Tevye, sums it up:  Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as…as a fiddler on the roof.”

 About Starlight Community Theater- Starlight Community Theater provides a variety of theatrical experience for both youth and adults.  Starlight continues to encourage talent from all areas of Anthem, New River, Black Canyon City, Desert Hills, Tramonto and North Phoenix. This non-profit community theater is dedicated to providing live theater to entertain and enrich our community, and to encourage youth and adult participation by providing growth and educational opportunities, both on and off stage. 
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