“As you did unto the least of these. . .”

Two Great Days of Service in the Name of Christ

Day One: Jesus Day 2000

For the past decade March for Jesus has filled the streets of the world annually with praise and prayer. Today God is moving us outside the walls for more than a day…. And for more than a march. Jesus Day is a way to saturate our communities with the compassion and kindness of Christ.

Jesus Day 2000 is scheduled for the Saturday before Pentecost Sunday and will be celebrated in more than 150 nations and over 600 cities across North America. Beginning at sunrise, participants can find dozens of ways to reach out to the community by caring for the poor, collecting food for the hungry, mentoring children, and reaching out to the suffering - all while sharing the good news of God’s reconciling love through Christ.

After noon, we will fill the streets with singing as children, teens, adults, and the elderly from different denominations and ethnic backgrounds will walk side by side. Imagine the site of them joining hands, praying for our cities and lifting up the name of Jesus — demonstrating to the world how we love one another.

What would our city look like if the love of Jesus were inescapable for one day?

What would it look like if there were “a day on earth as it is in heaven”?

Our prayer is that there could be at least one day where no one goes hungry, no child is fatherless, no one suffers alone, and where the streets are filled with singing to the Lord.

1. No one goes hungry

We ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” Well, Jesus once told his disciples to feed 5,000 families at once. On Jesus Day, our goal is to involve the entire community in a massive collection of food to be distributed to families in need. When Jesus fed the hungry, he didn’t ask about their religious affiliation, what church they went to, how much money they made, whether they were baptized or tithed, or if they would visit his church on Sunday. He prayed and ministered with compassion to those who had need.

How you can be involved

You can collect non-perishable food items and canned goods over the weeks before Jesus Day and then bring them on June 10 as a thank offering. Then participating churches will be working with soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and local foodbanks to distribute what is collected. Together with other Marches across the country and around the world, this could become the largest food collection ever – all in the name of Jesus.

2. No child is fatherless

Jesus said “suffer the little children to come to me.” Nearly 40% of America’s children will go to sleep tonight in a home without an earthly father. On Jesus Day, events will be held to bless children – and in the months leading up to June 10, we are seeking out at least 1000 mentors for these kids. As children of the heavenly Father, we have a mandate to reach out to othe fatherless and provide support for those facing the monumental task of raising children alone. Through programs that are already in place here in the area, you can be a mentor by giving a few hours each month to be a “lunch-buddy,” by reading to kids, playing sports – the sky is the limit.

How you can be involved

  1. Become a mentor – just call our office and we can hook you up with an existing mentoring program.

  2. Participate in the outreaches to children in Creighton Court, Church Hill, and other neighborhoods.

If your church already has a mentoring program, we would like to connect people with your program!

3.  No one suffers alone

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, we note that the Good Samaritan reached out to his neighbor in his hour of need to provide transportation, medical help, refuge, and follow-up. On Jesus Day we want to encourage Christians to reach out to the sick, the elderly, and the hurting – making hospital visits, preparing meals, doing simple tasks that people can’t do themselves. We especially want to reach out to people suffering with AIDS, and show God’s love for them in practical ways.

How you can be involved

1. Participate in an existing outreach to a nursing home or hospital.

2. Young men (18 and up): youth detention centers need you to come and play basketball with the kids.

3. Be a part of an outreach to someone who has AIDS.

4. The street are filled with singing

The day concludes with Christians from all denominations and racial backgrounds getting together for a joint celebration at the 2000 March for Jesus – a time of prayer for our city and state, and a time to lift up the name of Jesus as one Body of Christ. The March will start at Chimborazo Park (in Church Hill), and go down Broad Street all the way to the State Capitol. Join your brothers and sisters in Christ by lifting up the name of our Savior and let everyone in our path know the joy that only He can give.

Timeline for Jesus Day 2000

9:00 AM-1:00 PM Outreaches

2:00-2:30 PM Gather at Chimborazo Park

2:30-3:15 PM Prayer time for the city at Chimborazo Park

3:15-4:30 PM March for Jesus

4:30-5:00 PM Closing prayer at the Capitol

Let’s celebrate and honor our Lord Jesus Christ

by serving our city !

For more information, call the Jesus Day 2000 office at: 745-7824 or email us at: JesusDay@worldnet.att.net.