As Easter is approaching, National Secretary of the Awakening, Michael Cleary along with other Christian leaders were calling on the ‘followers of Jesus Christ’ to march across their capital cities to proclaim ‘Jesus Christ has risen.’
Describing the march as a real ‘Aussie’ expression of Christianity, Cleary stated the march put the ‘Church in the heart of our city’ and allowed people to put a smile on their faces when they came into contact with it. He was joined by Christian leaders coming from across different denominations to celebrate the story of Easter, which was a story of hope and new life.
“The events of Easter are a central piece in the Christian story,” said Executive Officer of the Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania, and chaplain of the Richmond football club, Paul Cameron. “I encourage followers of Jesus…to gather together and to celebrate the Easter story of hope and new life by joining this year’s March of Witness and Celebration.”
His sentiment was echoed by the President of the Baptist Union of Victoria, Jillian Stewart, who expressed that the true purpose of Easter was the demonstration of God’s love for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The reverend went on to say that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a new beginning could arise.
“Easter marks the death and resurrection of Jesus which brings the possibility of new hope and new beginnings,” said Reverend Stewart. “This event, even so long ago in history, impacts on the lives of people today and offers forgiveness and a fresh start – new possibilities for a life that is full and enriching.”
However the Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Reverend Dr. David Pitman summed it best, when he said the purpose of the march was the chance for all Christians to make ‘a strong and unified’ public stance in putting their faith in the resurrection of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“The Easter Day March and Rally is an opportunity to make a strong and unified public statement of our faith in the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour,” said Reverend Pitman.