Christians across the globe will celebrate Jesus Day on Saturday by serving their communities and proclaiming their faith.
Jesus Day began as the “March for Jesus” in the United Kingdom when churches took to the streets en masse to declare their faith in Christ. The movement soon spread to the United States and other countries.
The first nationwide March for Jesus in the United States occurred in 1992. The U.S. March for Jesus grew to encompass more than marching. It now includes a variety of outreach projects and is therefore sometimes called Jesus Day, which more accurately reflects the nature of the day.
Jesus Day is always on the Saturday before Pentecost, and this year over 140 U.S. cities have registered to participate. U.S. cities with registered Jesus Day events include Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.
The goal for Jesus Day 2002 is “no one goes hungry, no child is fatherless, no one suffer alone and the streets to be filled with singing,” according to a press release.
Organizing principles of Jesus Day include: helping current local ministries instead of “re-inventing the wheel”; planning for ongoing community involvement; and acting in Jesus’ name.
Community projects will include collecting canned goods, working in AIDS outreach and adopting a block.
“Jesus Day is both a culmination and a springboard of vision for a year of prayer, worship, and service,” according to JesusDay.com. “It is the only day of the year where the whole Body of Christ is invited to worship together, to serve together, and to pray together outside of the walls of our churches.”
For more information, visit www.jesusday.com.
