Lake Region—There must be something beneficial about walking. Jesus and His disciples did a lot of walking. Walking enabled Jesus to get close to the people, touching, healing, witnessing and talking with them. Thinking about this concept and tasked with the command, "Go ye therefore into all the neighborhoods and spread the Gospel of Jesus' love to every man, woman and child," Alice Strawbridge of Burns (Detroit) Seventh-day Adventist Church visualized a witnessing parade as an instrument to draw others to the Lord. An event of this kind had never been executed before by Adventists in the local community that certainly needed an economic and spiritual boost!
This spark of an idea was shared with other church members: Gertis Fordjour, Ruth Kennedy, Gloria Roberts and Shirley Tatum. Roberts and Tatum championed the event and fired up all church ministries and members to participate. Kennedy provided administrative support and ensured due process was followed. However, Fordjour, the parade director, had the unenviable task of supervising, coordinating and finally realizing the event.
After weeks of preparation, prayer and persuasion, finally the day arrived, Aug. 11, 2007. It was a hot, beautiful Sabbath afternoon for the parade to take place. With police escort, the parade left the church grounds promptly at 12 noon, headed by a red "ballooned" convertible driven by Teneshia Standifer. The parade had a "Western" theme, based on the General Conference's Vacation Bible School "Western" theme. The Conant Gardens drum corps, led by Brian Smith, set the pace. People who heard the beat of the drums and clashing cymbals ran out of bars, homes and stores, and wondered what was going on in this part of Detroit. Cars stopped, parked and watched the procession as others waved and thanked us for what we were doing. Many of these onlookers were also asking, "Who are these people? Who are these Adventists?"
Representatives of the community services ministry, Pathfinders, puppet ministry, Motor City Youth Federation, singles ministry, church elders, young and senior members, and friends formed the procession, some on foot and others in cars. Those on foot gave out fliers, Adventist booklets, balloons, candy and smiles. Observers enjoyed the enthusiasm of the Burns cheerleaders and drum corps. Sermonettes such as "Jesus Is Coming Again," "Time Is Running Out" and "You'd Better Get Ready" could be heard as our ministers proclaimed God's Word. The awesome men's chorale, The Chosen Few, led by Russell Taylor, sang songs from the huge float provided by the American Parade Company. As the procession continued for about five miles, several bystanders remembered their childhood faith and asked for special prayer.
Julius Everett Sr., Burns Church pastor, along with all the participants, were humbled at the success of and the overwhelming Christian witness the parade made on the local community. It was evident the parade was more than just another event. Several of the bystanders who asked for prayer have visited the Burns Church since the parade and commenced Bible studies leading to at least one baptism. "The Model Church" reached out and touched the local community through a walking event and reaped an untold harvest for God's Kingdom tomorrow.
Oliver Page, Ph.D., communication leader, and Gertis Fordjour, Witnessing Parade director, Burns Church
