March for Jesus draws 10,000 dedicated to Christ

By ANH HOANG
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Pushing her daughter's stroller alongside her husband May 29, Parker was part of the last March for Jesus of the millennium.

"I didn't think there were that many Christians who would walk," said Parker who attends St. Clare's Church. "It's nice to see people expressing their religious beliefs.

"It's become a time where people hide their identity as Christians. They don't want to be too vocally religious, I guess. It's nice to see that we still exist in such large numbers . . . and that we're proud of it."

The march, which started from the University of Alberta, is also the second last march organized globally. The international organizers are disbanding and will leave the event in the hands of local churches and organizations.

This event, traditionally coinciding with Pentecost, was planned for the following week due to the Victoria Day long weekend.

Orest Kuchmak, communications director for the event, said cities and towns throughout Alberta planned their walks simultaneously.

"We're connected to the walks in these other towns at the same time," said Kuchmak of towns from Athabasca to Cochrane which joined in on the march via a live broadcast from local radio stations. "They're walking at the same time we are and using the music we are.

"It really makes it a global event."

Kuchmak said the ecumenical event brings Christians from all congregations together.

"We all have a commonality," he said. "We march for an audience of one and that's Jesus."

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