Local Christians to March for Jesus next weekend

Jackson First Assembly Pastor Garry Martin plans to continue a tradition that returned to Jackson a few years ago.

March For Jesus, an annual international movement to encourage Christians to get outside the walls of their church to proclaim Jesus Christ in their cities, is set for May 20 at 10 a.m.

“We’ll actually ask for those who plan to attend to try to get there about 8:30 so we can begin gathering and get everyone set up,” Martin said.

The gathering will be at the old Mattress Warehouse (405 Airways Boulevard), but Martin said he’s gotten permission from all businesses on Airways that aren’t open on Saturday morning for walkers to park their cars in their parking lots.

“That’s part of why we’re asking for people to get there earlier, to get their cars parked before Jackson Police blocks off the street for us,” Martin said.

The march will be a mile long. Marchers will start at the Mattress Warehouse building and move east on Airways, turn off at the blocked intersection with Lafayette and turn toward The AMP and West Tennessee Farmer’s Market.

There will then be a worship service at The AMP.

Those who would like to be a part of the worship service but can’t or don’t want to walk are encouraged to go ahead and get to The AMP.

“The music we’ll hear as we march will be the same music they can hear over the speakers at The AMP while we’re marching, so we’re all worshipping together even before the marchers get to The AMP,” Martin said.

March for Jesus started in 1990 when a church in England did a march in their city to get its members outside the church walls.

When the event unexpectedly hosted thousands of people, the movement spread worldwide with four cities hosting a March for Jesus in 1994.

“That year in 1994, Memphis and Nashville each had 50,000 marchers and Chattanooga had between 20,000 and 25,000,” Martin said. “And it’s gone back and forth over the years, but we’ve had it here in Jackson for the past few years.

“It’s a great time for God’s people to get out of the church walls and come together no matter what their denomination is and simply worship God together. We don’t get political. We don’t do anything that might be damaging to a church’s beliefs as long as they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose again for our sins and will bring His children to Heaven one day for eternity. We’re all doing this to praise Him. I’m looking forward to it.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news