March for Jesus to include memorial
The sixth annual March for Jesus, which begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, will include a special memorial for the late Helen Pappas. “She sadly passed away this year,’ explained the Rev. Michael Peton, spokesman for March for Jesus. “She was a big advocate for this march.”
Pappas, who was a Brownsville resident and member of Harvest Time Ministries, will be remembered during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony at the castle.
Rev. Peton said, “She was the kind of person who ran the march. She got the march going and kept everything up. It will be sad not to have her with us in body, but she will be with us in spirit.’
March for Jesus is an annual event that begins with a march through the Brownsville community that ends at Nemacolin Castle, where there is a speaker, musical entertainment, food and games for children.
Rev. Peton said between 150 and 200 people usually attend the event, which is supported by churches from Brownsville and Malden. Churches from outside the Brownsville area have also been involved.
Last year’s event took place a few days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America and participation in the march was down.
Rev. Peton hopes that more people will turn out for this year’s event, which will also emphasize the words “one nation under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance that became the subject of a controversial court decision earlier this year.
“We’re hoping to have people stand up for the Gospel but also march for freedom of religion in this country,’ Rev. Peton said.
The day begins at 10 a.m., when participants are to meet at Nemacolin Castle for the march line-up. The march begins at 10:30 a.m. with the marchers leaving the castle on Front Street, then traveling on Market Street, Church Street and through the town of Brownsville. The march takes about an hour and will have a police and ambulance escort.
“We’d like to encourage churches and youth groups to march. They may bring banners to glorify the Lord,’ said Rev. Peton.
The marchers will return to Nemacolin Castle, where activities will continue until 4:30 p.m.
Evangelist Frank Mehardt will speak from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Rev. Peton said, “He is a powerful, Holy Spirit-filled evangelist who brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ to many towns.’
The memorial for Pappas will be held at 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, the gospel group Mega Jam from Washington will perform until 2:30 p.m. Rev. Peton said the group sings a variety of songs that range from Christian contemporary to traditional that will appeal to all ages.
The youth praise band from Malden Fellowship Church will perform from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. In addition, there will be local singers from various churches. There will also be food and games for youths as well as tours of the castle.
Rev. Peton said, “People can stand up for their faith and celebrate a day as Christians to march for the Lord and fellowship together.’
For more information on March for Jesus, phone 724-785-5823 or 724-785-4424.