The March

for Jesus moves along the streets of the world June 10,

representing the new thing God is unfolding for his

people and for the world to see.

Many of us

participated in a Christmas Parade, a special event by

which merchants and high schools could show their stuff.

Many of us have watched a Braves Victory Parade,

celebrating the continuous winning of our team.

The March

for Jesus, however, can't be called a parade. The March

for Jesus is a visible, mighty, and joyous demonstration

of just how much Jesus Christ means to us. Marchers are

saying that: that if others and sometimes we can march

for or against civil rights, gay rights, abortion rights,

right-to-life, right-to-tote-a-gun, then a whole mess of

us Christians ought to exercise the right to march for

Jesus.

It is not

an easy thing to pull together a march. Yet, if we march

for Jesus, it is worth every effort. To stage a march,

the Fayette County High School must approve the use of

their parking lot; the City of Fayetteville Police

Department must approve a route for the march; the

Fayette County Board of Commissioners must approve the

use of the parking lot at the Stonewall Complex; the

Marshall's Office must clear the parking lot and maintain

restroom decorum.

Still,

folks, pay attention here. We can march for Jesus! If

Christians in China wanted to demonstrate for Jesus, you

know where they would find themselves. But, we can! So,

we oughta'.

If you will

be in town this Saturday morning, let me encourage you

with everything in me, use your freedom and demonstrate

for a cause in which you stake your eternity. We will

begin to assemble at 9 a.m. at the Fayette County High

School parking lot (behind Arbys and Captain D's) and we

will march out at 10 a.m. The march route is only one

mile, but it will be a blast. At least seven churches

will be providing a moving music float. Last year,

members from more than 50 churches participated. You will

be on your way home before noon. You cannot miss; it is

the greatest opportunity to show your God that you love

his son, Jesus.

Now, back

to what I was trying to get over to you. These are new

days for Jesus folks. We have discovered that greater is

he who unites us than the doctrine that divides us. I

love unity and the new friends it has provided me. Yet, I

am still a born again, evangelical, Bible-believing

Baptist. I can swallow neither everything the

Pentecostals believe nor the Liturgical churches believe

nor . . .

And I have

it on good faith that they cannot swallow everything I

believe.

Christian

unity, however, does not depend upon our swallowing, but

us praising together our Lord Jesus Christ. So,

Christians, will you walk a mile for your Christ? It is a

new day, so we might as well enjoy it and get in on the

new things God is doing!

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

<!--##############