Holy Spirit Many Voices Raised In March For Jesus

Jesus brought them together.

To the lilting beat of reggae music, thousands of people marched the streets of Spokane on Saturday to give praise to the Lord.

“Celebrate Jesus,” they sang, clapping their hands and swaying their bodies to the music.

“This isn’t a protest,” said Ruth Hamp, organizer of the annual March for Jesus. She is the widow of Rev. Clifton E. Hamp of Spokane, who died earlier this month at 81. “This is a big family that loves each other. Jesus is the head and we’re giving him glory.”

People from more than 45 Inland Northwest churches showed up for the 11 a.m. march. Some came as early as 9 a.m., proudly wearing T-shirts with pictures of Jesus or a crucifix.

Many also waved signs and banners: “God is awesome,” “Jesus is Lord” and “Got Jesus?” were just some of the messages.

The gathering brought together a variety of people - from the Soul Patrol, a group of Christian bikers with leather vests and tattoos, to teenagers with hemp necklaces and skateboards.

Marchers were young and old, rich and poor - people from all walks of life.

“I want to tell people what Jesus has done in my life,” said Tim Olson of Spokane, a former drug addict who joined the Soul Patrol six years ago. “They invented bars because of people like me…. Now, I love the Lord.”

The Spokane march was one of hundreds of March for Jesus parades held Saturday in more than 100 countries.

The tradition started in the early ‘80s when a London church congregation took its worship outside and down the street. Spokane started its own march five years ago.

On Saturday, giant boom boxes blared Christian music along the mile-long parade route. People cheered, clapped their hands and shouted “Praise God!” “OK, body of Christ,” an announcer said, addressing the thousands of people who gathered outside the Spokane Arena for the event. “In the name of Jesus, let’s focus our heart and minds on the Lord.”

The march was headed by Hamp, who rode in a red convertible. She was immediately followed by a bearded man in a motorcycle and two dozen women and children wearing white with garlands in their hair. As they sang contemporary Christian music, they also danced and shook their tambourines.

“We’re here for the Lord,” said Denise Deaner of Post Falls, who wore a white dress and a sequined gold vest for the occasion. “He says ‘Go,’ and we say, ‘Hallelujah.”’

Organizing the annual event is a yearlong project, Hamp said. As soon as one march is over, organizers immediately plan the next.

“Our vision is that every believer in Jesus Christ come together and love one another,” Hamp said. “We’re here to touch somebody and give them hope.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo