Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. — Luke 6:38

NEWS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Feb. 22, 2007

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP OLEG MASKAEV AND CHRISTIAN BAND MACHAIRA JOIN FORCES IN "SAVE THIS CHURCH" CONCERT SATURDAY, MARCH 3 AT TRINITY LIFE CHURCH IN SACRAMENTO

SACRAMENTO, CA-Christian band Machaira and World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev will headline a free benefit "SAVE THIS CHURCH" concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 3 at the Trinity Life Church on Madison and Hillsdale in Sacramento. The fund raising event is presented by the Kingdom Foundation.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Lipetsk, Russia, which is being threatened with closure. The church must install running water and indoor plumbing in order to remain open as one of the few above-ground houses of worship in Lipetsk, a city of approximately 700,000 population.

According to Gary Hamner, chairman of the Kingdom Foundation, "This church is a beacon of light in a city of darkness. Unless we help, their doors will close. We are inviting everyone to attend this free event-all those who believe in religious freedom, and all who desire to spread the Holy Gospel throughout the world. We will SAVE THIS CHURCH."

Oleg Maskaev is the reigning heavyweight boxing champion of the world, as sanctioned by the World Boxing Council. Now a resident of West Sacramento, Oleg captured the WBC title belt with a win over then-champion Hasim Rahman on August 12, 2006, in the first world championship bout ever held inside Russia.

Oleg will sign autographs and greet people who desire to help in the "SAVE THIS CHURCH" cause. Oleg was born in Shambryl, Kazakhstan, and was a Russian mine worker prior to becoming a professional boxer. He acquired United States nationality in 2004. He and his wife Svetlana, are the proud parents of four daughters. The next defense of his championship will be against either Vitali Klitschko or Samuel Peter.

The band Machaira has been performing their unique blend of blues-rock Christian music for 17 years. As a contemporary Gospel Pop/Blues/Rock group they blend rhythm and harmonies with blazing guitar riffs, which are pleasing to all ages. Playing a variety of styles and having released CD's and are working on their fourth. They have also been blessed with a music video debut which got airplay around the world. Machaira shares Christ through lyrics about life's experiences, struggles, and triumphs to those who trust in Him.

"We are very thankful to the leadership at Trinity Life Church for welcoming this event into their facilities, and to the entire community of Russian churches in the Sacramento region," said Hamner. "This event will show the power of people and churches coming together to help others all the way across the world enjoy the freedom to worship the Lord."

For more information about Lipetsk and the Holy Trinity Church please read a compelling article by Jon Brown of Machaira Ministries.