The Tasmanian Jesus. All about life campaign was launched today at the Door-of-Hope Church by the Mayor of Launceston, Ald Ivan Dean. The assembly of a giant banner on top of the church signified that the seven week prime-time media campaign was underway.
The campaign, which has the support of almost 200 Tasmanian churches, is an advertising campaign:
* running a minimum of 550 spots on prime time television through Southern Cross, Win TV and TDT from 12th September to 31st October
* running half page advertisements in the Mercury, Examiner and Advocate every Saturday for the duration of the campaign.
* supported by over 190 churches across Tasmania in an unprecedented and unified effort to present Jesus to the community.
Tasmania's major denominations are behind the campaign and they sent the following messages of support at the launch:
Major Allan Daddow, Divisional Commander The Salvation Army Tasmania, Chairman of "Jesus. All about Life" Campaign Tasmania.
"The "Jesus. All about Life" campaign brings the churches in Tasmania together in a new way of working together. This is more than a public relations campaign for Jesus. It is giving the community the opportunity to ask who Jesus is and find out how the example of His life can be directly applied to our own lives in 2007.
"The response by local churches to register and become involved in the campaign has been incredible, with over 190 of the congregations in the state participating in some way. These churches will be working in parallel with the media campaign by raising awareness in their local areas and taking the opportunity to connect with their community and distribute the "Jesus. All about Life" information booklet."
Catholic Archbishop of Hobart, Adrian Doyle
" I wish to confirm the commitment of the Catholic Church in Tasmania to be a partner in this very important initiative, "Jesus, All about Life."
"I strongly believe that this approach will provide the opportunity for many people to hear the message of Jesus Christ for the first time. For others, they will be able to be re-acquainted with that message. In these times of rapid change, it is important that the age-old message of the love of God be repeated in a way that everyone can hear it."
The Rev'd J Allan Thompson – President Tasmanian Council of Churches
"On behalf of the Tasmanian Council of Churches, we want to reiterate that the Council endorses and gives its enthusiastic support to the program."
"We applaud this ecumenical venture which gives Christians the opportunity to cross denominational boundaries to work together to bring the gospel message to people of faith and no faith across Tasmania."
Pastor Leo Stossich, Tasmanian State Leader, Apostolic Church
"Jesus All About Life presents us with a wonderful opportunity to unitedly share the great news of Jesus Christ with our whole community."
The Jesus. All about life campaign was developed by Bible Society NSW and uses television advertising, supported by radio, church posters and print ads to raise the profile of Jesus and Christian faith. The key message is that Jesus is 'all about life'.