Numbers don’t matter to Walk for Jesus organizers

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This article was published 03/09/2023 (979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach’s inaugural Walk for Jesus may have only attracted about a dozen people, but that didn’t deter organizers who said they just wanted to spread a little of their faith.

The small group gathered at the K.R. Barkman Park in Steinbach on Saturday, coming with signs decorated with various messages.

Madison and Noah Petkau organized the event, inspired in part by a similar event that occurred in Winnipeg last year and will run again on Sept. 30.

“We saw what they were doing out in Winnipeg,” Madison explained. “Jesus put that pull on our heart and we heeded to it.”

The pair said the event wasn’t organized or intended to be for a specific Christian denomination, but was just meant to welcome “children of God”.

“We’re just trying to proclaim the gospel,” Madison said. “Our time is short here and Jesus is coming back whether people want to admit that or not.

A variety of messages were shared on posters and signs by the small group who did a short walk through part of Steinbach before meeting back at the park.

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness,” said one sign.

“Way + Truth + Life = Jesus” said another sign with an accompanying quote from John 14:6.

“Normal ain’t coming back, Jesus is. Repent now!” another said.

A flag simply stated “Jesus is King”.

Madison said the event wasn’t about trying to achieve a big crowd.

“We’d be happy if there was two,” she said. “We see in scripture it says that where two or more are gathered, I am there also.”

“It doesn’t matter who comes,” she added. “How many people come, what race, gender, whatever they are, we want them here.”

For Noah the message was clear.

“We’re just hoping to spread the word of Christ, and kind of just you know, let people know that Jesus does love them and He wants them to turn away from sin and to come to him fully.”

Madison added it’s important people realize they don’t have to be perfect in order to come to God, but should come as they are.