THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994 TAG: 9406240494
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK O'KEEFE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940624 LENGTH: Medium
Regional coordinator Mary Miller describes the march as a ``moving prayer meeting.'' Tom Pelton, the march's national coordinator, expects 1.5 million participants in 500 cities. He calls the event ``a surprise party for God.''
{REST} The first ``March for Jesus'' was held in London in 1987, when 15,000 believers walked through the city's financial district. The spiritual parades spread to the United States in 1990, beginning with a march in Austin, Texas. Norfolk held the first local march in 1992.
This year, more than 100 area churches from evangelical, charismatic and Roman Catholic backgrounds are participating.
Miller said the marches do not ``promote a particular political agenda,'' even though elected officials in Norfolk and Chesapeake are expected to participate.
Participants will pray for ``wisdom for government'' and ``safety for police,'' among other things.
``It's for an audience of one, that's Jesus Christ,'' said Miller. ``It's a way of honoring him, to say he's Lord.
``So much is done negatively. We're doing something positive. We're doing this in unity. It's like an extravagant worshiping opportunity.''
Participants are asked to arrive at 9 a.m. The marches begin at 10 a.m. and will end around 11:30 a.m., followed by about 30 minutes of prayer, Miller said.
In Norfolk, the march will assemble at Ruffner Middle School, 489 Tidewater Drive, and end at City Hall. In Chesapeake, it will start at the civic center off Albemarle Drive and end at City Hall. Portsmouth's march begins at Third Baptist Church at Godwin Street and London Boulevard and finishes at City Park. In Virginia Beach, it starts at Fifth Street and Atlantic Avenue and finishes at Norwegian Lady Park.
by CNB