Wednesday, April 24, 2002
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Wednesday, April 24, 2002 |
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Expand your vision: March for Jesus By JOHN HATCHER
You can march for Jesus Saturday, May 4, starting at 10 a.m. from the Fayette County High School parking lot. It's simple: one way to demonstrate your faith in Jesus Christ: walk a mile with other happy, fellow followers of Jesus Christ. Fayette Pastor Knox Herndon remembers, along with me, the days of Vacation Bible School parades. We would decorate our cars and drive through the various neighborhoods, blowing horns, and inviting children to a week or two of fun-filled Bible learning activities (Do you remember VBS often lasted two weeks as well as spring and fall revivals?). Nowadays parades are often considered blasé and are often discouraged because of safety factors. But, how about it? We have the police permit to hold a parade. We have permission to use the parking lot at the Fayette County Administrative Complex. Everything has been approved and prepared, thanks in large measure to Cheri Ledford, co-pastor of Living Stones Christian Center. Why not? Why not take two or three hours out of this coming Saturday and march for Jesus? I realize marching in a parade for Jesus may not be the most effective nor profound way of "letting your light shine." But, for many people, marching may be more than what they are doing now and for many people it could be the start of something bigger and better for our Lord's cause. Personal testimony: I marched in my first March for Jesus parade while visiting in Kampala, Uganda. There, thousands of Christians flooded a pre-approved route, marching and singing with one voice the praises of Jesus. It was the most awesome ecumenical event I had ever been a part of to that point. Participating in that one march thousands and thousands of miles away from home prompted a spirit of Christian unity within my own heart and I have followed that prompting so that I now have fellowship within the greater Body of Christ. I have come to believe and experience that my Baptist roots are really Baptist branches that stem from the very root of Jesse, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, I don't know what participating in the March for Jesus and other Jesus Day activities will do for you. But, if you will release yourself from the four walls of your denomination and then release yourself into joyful united worship with other believers, you may experience a breakthrough that will lead to other wonderful discoveries. The March will culminate in lots of fun activities for the whole family, especially the children. Everything will be free moonwalk, giant slide, radar speed pitch, face painting, hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, drinks, games, music and more. A youth concert is planned for the finale of the day. Everyone is encouraged to bring a folding chair to relax and soak in the joy. What parents would not want their kids to have the opportunity to "demonstrate" their love for Jesus by marching and then having a great, fun time all because of people's love for Jesus. Hallelujah!
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