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.

<!--

-----------