March for Jesus
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ORGANIZING OVERVIEW
As you proceed, remember to keep the main thing the main thing: Jesus.
This is a March for Him, and only with Him will it be accomplished.
Be careful that nothing distracts from the primary purpose of simply exalting Jesus,
both at the March and during the planning.
Here is a general overview of the main tasks that need to be accomplished:
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CALL YOUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Each state has a Regional representative whose responsibility is to serve and encourage you. Your representative can answer questions about other Marches in your area and can help you get started.
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CONSULT WITH LEADERS IN YOUR CITY
You need to involve leaders in the planning stages of the March, so that they feel a sense of ownership of the event. The stronger the network of church and ministry leaders in your city, the stronger the March will be. At the very least, send all the pastors in town an information letter and invite them to an informational meeting.
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FORM A STEERING COMMITTEE
To have a March for Jesus, you must get approval from a group of pastors. These pastors will serve as the spiritual covering of the March. Approach a network of pastors, such as a ministerial alliance. If there is not a group of pastors meeting consistently in your city, begin making appointments with individual pastors to explain about the March to them. This committee can also include other ministry leaders, business people, city officials, etc. There must be at least three pastors on this committee.
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REGISTER YOUR MARCH
As soon as the Steering Committee is formed, you are ready to register your March. Fill out the registration information on the March for Jesus USA website, along with your registration fee.
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FORM A MARCH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE
Your March Organizational Committee members are the people who make the March happen. While the Steering Committee serves as the spiritual covering and gives direction to the March, the March Organizational Committee delegates and oversees the March administration. Each Organizational Committee Member will oversee three to four task groups.
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ACQUIRE A PARADE PERMIT
As soon as possible, check with local authorities to acquire a parade permit for the day of your March.
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SET IMPORTANT MEETINGS
With the help of your Steering Committee and Organizational Committee, set important dates, times and places for these meetings:
• Pastors Steering Committee meetings
• March Organizational Committee meetings
• Task Group Leaders' meetings
• Volunteer meetings
• City-wide march rehearsal
• Community Choir practices -
RECRUIT TASK GROUP LEADERS
Task Group Leaders are needed to recruit and lead small groups that will focus on specific areas of the March, such as sound or choreography. Each Task Group Leader will report to their assigned March Organization Committee member.
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SET A BUDGET AND RAISE SUPPORT
Use the budget worksheet in the MFJ Toolkit to calculate the finances needed for your March. Paying for the expenses can come from the sale of MFJ products, individual donations, special offerings and from participating churches that pay a registration fee.
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ORDER RESOURCES
March for Jesus USA produces T-shirts and other resources to make your preparations easier. We sell these at bulk discount prices so you can raise money for your March. Brochures, posters and other promotional materials are also available to download in the MFJ Toolkit.
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FORMALIZE THE COMMITMENT OF PARTICIPATING CHURCHES
Start a list of churches who have agreed to participate and continue to add to your list as churches commit to the March. Churches can choose their level of involvement according to the categories listed in the March for Jesus tool-kit.
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DEDICATE A PHONE LINE
Dedicate a phone line that will be answered "March for Jesus".
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COMMUNICATE WITH CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES/BUSINESSES
Local Christian bookstores/businesses can be a tremendous blessing to the March. They can help promote the March, and sell March for Jesus products. You will need to form relationships and maintain open lines of communication in order to effectively use these outlets for distributing info and products.
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COMMUNICATE WITH RADIO STATIONS
Work with a radio station for airplay of the music on the day of the March. They can also play the March music during the weeks before the March to prepare the March participants.
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RUN THROUGH THE DAY OF THE MARCH
Meet with Praise Leaders, March Leaders, Vehicle Drivers and Task Group Leaders to run through the sequence of events for the day. Do a sound check for each sound unit.
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PRAYERWALK THE MARCH ROUTE
The March is a very public event, one that will be the focus of opposition from the enemy. PrayerWalk the March route before the March to welcome Christ's kingdom and to bind any demonic interference.
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MARCH FOR JESUS
The day has arrived! Praise the Lord!
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EMAIL IN YOUR DAY OF THE MARCH REPORT
As soon as your March is over, please email us your "Day of the March" report. We need this information from you immediately so that we can have it available for the news media. We will also use this information to compile a report of all cities that marched. This form will be sent to you prior to the March.
*If you are unable to email, you may text or send a picture of your report to 330.707.4622.
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VICTORY RALLY
Plan a post-March celebration party for your volunteers.
