Sean C. Morgan
As Harvest Christian Center celebrated back to school Saturday by giving away hundreds of backpacks and hosting legendary WWF wrestler Ted DiBiase, the “Million Dollar Man,” who spent the week in town and preached at the church on Sunday.
During the annual event, the church gives away up to 500 backpacks filled with school supplies specific to each area school, said Pastor Mark Woody. “They line up and go down the street.”
Last year, the event drew some 2,000 people, he said. He didn’t have a count this year, but attendance might have been a little lighter.
“The goal is just to bless our community,” Woody said. “The community comes and lines up for this.”
Some 68 volunteers organized the event, he said. Sweet Home Emergency Ministries assisted with the event and donated backpacks.
The event usually costs in excess of $10,000, Woody said. The church received cash help from Coastal Farms and local real estate agents. Franz bakeries donated buns, and Safeway provided a discount for hot dogs.
The church plans to continue the event next year, Woody said, but in the meantime, it may build a carnival to help cut the cost of the event.
The church has been improving the event, and this year, the lines flowed through a little better, Woody said. The line was approximately a block long a half hour before the event started.
“It’s crazy stuff, but you know, if you can bless people,” Woody said.
While children played in a bounce house, picked up school supplies and ate hot dogs and cotton candy, DiBiase stayed busy signing autographs for visitors.
“It’s crazy,” Woody said. “He came in just for this event and to preach.”
DiBiase was known as a villain during his career in the World Wrestling Federation, where he crossed paths with Hulk Hogan and worked with Andre the Giant.
He was the first WWF North American heavyweight champion, a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion (with Irwin R. Schyster) and the 1988 King of the Ring. He was well known for his cutting-edge heel promos, which were often concluded with his trademark evil laugh.
Following his professional wrestling career, he became a Christian and now operates the Heart of David Ministry.
His message from Sunday may be heard at the Harvest Christian Center’s website, harvestcog.net. More information about DiBiase’s ministry is available at heartofdavidministry.com.