By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Downtown Fayetteville came alive Saturday morning with the joyous sounds of Christian praise as marchers took to the streets for the third annual March for Jesus. Although the turnout was small compared to other years, what the marchers lacked in numbers, they made up in energy and spirit, according to Rev. Knox Herndon, pastor of Our House Community Church.

“We saw people standing outside their businesses waving and you can tell they were uplifted and supportive of what we were doing,” Herndon said.

Last year's event drew about 1,500 marchers, and some believe the lower turnout this year was due to the change in date from May to June and the fact that school was already out for the summer.

Local Christians joined with millions of believers around the world in recognition of Jesus Day 2000. The Fayetteville celebration started in the parking lot of Fayette County High School, with marchers following a route which proceeded down Tiger Trail to Hood Avenue and Ga. Highway 85, culminating in a gathering at Heritage Park. High temperatures forced many to take cover in the shade of the trees clustered at the fringes of the park.