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Winnipeg, Man.
March for Jesus rallies held worldwide


Annual march evolves into Jesus Day

In a sea of black umbrellas and bright raincoats, thousands of people in Winnipeg braved the rain June 10 for the final March for Jesus.

Despite the rain, few were discouraged as organizers scrambled to wrap up electronic speakers in plastic. Marchers shook tambourines, danced around puddles and waved banners, proclaiming their devotion to Christ the Lord.

March for Jesus 2000 was the last march which began in 1987 and was started by the Church of the Rock in England. Organizers decided at the outset that the millennium would mark the last one.

Young people at March for Jesus downtown Toronto on June 10. Photo by Sue Careless

The Winnipeg parade cost $80,000 to stage and hours in organizing time.

Few would have thought the event would have grown like it has. According to statistics gathered by organizers, as of June 20, a total of 98,707 people came out for marches in 150 Canadian centres, including eight Inuit villages in Nunavut. Winnipeg had 40,000 participants, the highest turnout in a Canadian centre. Second was Toronto, with 20,000 marchers, and the third was Vancouver with 4,000 people. In Montreal 3,500 people participated, while Halifax had 3,000, and Calgary 1,500.

Since 1995, marches have been held across Canada. The highest turnout was in 1996 when a total of 153,225 marched. In 1999, 120,282 people marched across communities in Canada.

World marches

Worldwide, organizers estimate 12 million people in 150 nations marched in local events. Over 70 million people have participated in March for Jesus events since the first march held in England 13 years ago. Events ranged from simple neighbourhood marches to gatherings that filled stadiums. The sheer number of participants worldwide is amazing.

Brazil – over two million people were expected to march at local events. Venezuela – about 2,000 people marched in Maracay, stopping at strategic points, such as the legislative assembly building, to pray for the future of their country. Australia – at the site of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Sydney, over 25,000 Christians gathered for a 24-hour interdenominational prayer and worship service. In a ceremony performed by Aboriginal elders, the country’s minority, church and government representatives joined in a show of reconciliation. Barbados – thousands of marchers participated in one of its most successful marches, led by their parliament legislators in Bridgetown. A representative from the prime minister of Barbados thanked the Christian churches on the island for their contribution to the quality of life on the island. Russia – 5,000 marchers in Moscow heard the testimony of a church leader who was arrested three times and imprisoned twice for his faith by communists.

Jesus Day

Although the official March for Jesus office in England closed in June, March for Jesus has evolved into “Jesus Day”, a day-long celebration emphasizing community involvement and evangelism as a part of honouring Jesus.

Spanish congregation carrying “Jesus is Lord” banner at March for Jesus downtown Toronto on June 10. Photo by Sue Careless

Local March for Jesus events will continue as a part of Jesus Day, but international coordination of the marches will no longer occur.

On May 23, over 50,000 Christians gathered in Berlin, Germany, for Jesus Day. In colourful procession, they marched through the Brandenburg Gate, rejoicing and praising God as tourists and locals looked on. One newspaper called it “a love parade without Techno music”.

The marchers surrounded the centre of Berlin in two columns. At prominent sites – such as the Parliament building, the Reichstag, and the Charité Hospital, as well as theatres and commercial centres – they prayed for Christian standards in politics, business, culture and churches. Marchers paused for silent prayer at the synagogue and the site of the future holocaust memorial, and remembered the atrocities committed against the Jewish people.

The two marching columns rejoined in front of the “Red Town Hall” in what used to be the Eastern part of Berlin. Despite heavy rain, many bowed their knees in a time of worship, confession and rededication. The event ended with a big party in honour of Jesus’ 2000th birthday. All Berliners were invited to enjoy the sounds of modern Christian music.

The Jesus Day was organized by a coalition of denominational groups in Germany composed of Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Pietists, Lutherans and Roman Catholics. The previous Jesus March took place six years ago in Berlin. The Jesus Day was held three weeks prior to the international March for Jesus events in order not to conflict with Pentecost celebrations.

Gerald Coates, a founder of March for Jesus, said, “England is a revival country. Germany is a revival country. So let us join in prayer that Jesus may bless us all.”

 – Winnipeg Free Press, Evangelical Press News Service, March for Jesus

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Last modified July 16, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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