|PIC1|Sydney Christian leaders have united in an unprecedented show of support for Jesus. All about life (JAAL), a six-week, prime time television advertising campaign, supported by radio and print advertising, that seeks to raise awareness of Jesus and encourage people to find out what Jesus 'had to say about life' and to motivate quiet Christians to share their faith.
The "12-month countdown" was launched in Sydney's CBD, at law firm Allens Arthur Robinson. The event was attended by leaders of the supporting denominations and churches, including Canon Jim Ramsay of the Anglican Church, Joel A'Bell, Executive Pastor at Hillsong, Envoy Ivan Kelly of the Salvation Army, and Norm Nix Incoming President - Baptist Union of NSW.
Daniel Willis, CEO of Bible Society NSW, was delighted with the initial support in Sydney and proudly declared the official registration for churches 'open'.
"The Jesus. All about life campaign goal is for 1,000 Sydney churches to register their support in the lead up to the campaign. We are delighted with the overwhelming support for the campaign from many Sydney Christians already and are excited about what will unfold over the coming year in the lead up to the campaign," Mr Willis said.
Program Director, Rev Karl Faase said that the campaign will seek to reach four million Sydneysiders when in runs next year. "90% of Sydney will see the campaign at least ten times in its six week duration. We want people to engage with the person of Jesus and we are bringing the message of Jesus into the community," he said.
The success of the campaign relies upon individual church participation in order to engage with communities and individuals at a local level. The Sydney campaign follows successful campaigns already run in Adelaide (2005), Canberra (2006) and Tasmania (2007).
For a small registration fee of $100, churches receive a registration pack which includes samples of the Jesus. All about life response material, a 'Getting Ready for Mission' church training DVD, a promotional DVD to be shown in services, a calendar for the 12-months leading up to the campaign and details of other resources that will be available in 2009.
Mr A'Bell, Executive Pastor at Hillsong Church is pleased to be a part of the campaign. "Absolutely phenomenal. I think anything that brings Churches together is wonderful. I love the idea that it brings the ability for most of us, who find it hard to share our faith - the campaign is really going to make that easier and bring it to the forefront, so conversations will be at workplaces, they'll be at family BBQs and picnics and gatherings and where ever people go they'll be able to have a chat about what they saw in TV, on a billboard on the back of a bus – I can't wait,"
Envoy Ivan Kelly of the Salvation Army said, "Jesus. All about life is what the Salvation Army is all about and really fits our outreach through many mediums to many people so we can talk about Jesus."
Canon Jim Ramsay says the Anglican Church will be using the JAAL media campaign as part of their year long CONNECT09 program.
"Sydney Anglicans will be distributing up to one million Gospels in 2009, and we'll be encouraging Christians to use the [JAAL] campaign to connect with people and talk about Jesus," he said.
Support has already been garnered from across the wide range of denominations, including the Sydney Anglican Diocese, Baptist Churches of NSW, Churches of Christ, the Salvation Army, the Presbyterian Church, the Uniting Church, NSW Synod, the Brethren Church and Congregational Churches, Hillsong, Christian City Church, Wesley Mission Sydney and the NSW Council of Churches.