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esus is Lord.”

It’s a message that die-hard believers have proclaimed for centuries. Since the early days of the Christian Church, people have shouted his name in the open markets, busy street corners, from the highest mountaintops.

The efforts to evangelize continue today. Consider some of the slogans people use to promote Christianity: Got Jesus? Jesus rules. Jesus saves.

Apparently, Jesus also sells. Up there with the likes of Disney, Nike and Old Navy, Jesus has evolved into a brand name. You can find his image on hats, mugs and bumper stickers. The “What Would Jesus Do” line of products even offers golf balls with the popular WWJD.

Religious retailing is a growth business in this country. CBA International, the trade association for Christian bookstores and retailers, reported sales by member suppliers at $4.2 billion in 2002.

While the marketing of Christ might seem offensive to some, those who wear the T-shirts or wave the signs say it’s simply another way to show they believe.

“I try to reach people who don’t know Jesus to find it in their hearts to be saved,” said Lloyd Baggarley, who spends several hours each week wearing a sign that says “Got Jesus???”

When he makes eye contact with a driver, he immediately turns around to display the message on the other side of his sign: “God loves you.”