Mike and Letitia Yoder, GBIM missionaries to Berlin, have been requesting prayer for “Jesus-tag” as they were to distribute copies of the Jesus film to university students during the event today. Here are excerpts from a release on the event.
JESUS DAY: 40,000 MARCH THROUGH BERLIN SINGING AND PRAYING
Remembering the Victims of 9/11 and Other Terrorist Attacks
By Wolfgang PolzerSpecial to ASSIST News Service
On the third anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks more than 40,000 Christians marched through the German capital Berlin singing and praying. They took part in a Jesus Day organized by evangelical Christians.
The march started and ended at the Brandenburg Gate. On their way through the city participants stopped at six political, financial, commercial and cultural centers to offer prayers.
Near the US-embassy they not only prayed for the 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks, but also for those killed in other acts of terrorism, such as the school siege in Beslan, South Russia.
The Jesus Day is an antidote against terrorism, violence and separation, said Rev Axel Nehlsen, chairman of the organizing committee. Five hundred participants also took part in a rally of solidarity with Israel and Messianic Jews. They voiced their concern over the escalating anti-Semitism in Europe.
Participants also took part in 50 evangelistic and social projects during the Jesus Day. The first Jesus Day took place in the year 2000 with approximately 50,000 participants.
Here is Mike Yoder’s report:
“As part of Berlin’s ‘Jesus Day,’ a wide-scale outreach using the Jesus-Video was undertaken in the city. Our outreach in the university residences among students was extraordinarily positive. Organizers referred to it as the most successful of the around 20 similar outreaches. Many students, particularly the foreigners, eagerly accepted the Jesus-Video gift. We had over 20 participants involved in the distribution from several Christian ministries among students. Overall, Berliners were more receptive to the video than almost anyone expected. We are glad to contribute to this ministry, most of all because it raises the profile of believers and engages people with the issue of Jesus. Follow-up surveys and conversations, as well as evangelistic Bible studies, are vital in the evangelistic process. May eternity reveal much fruit from this outreach. Thanks for praying.”