Article on March for Jesus

Military Brethren of the Bitterroot planning March for Jesus

1 hour ago • By Perry Backus

The newly formed Military Brethren of the Bitterroot hope that churches from Sula to Lolo will join with them on Holy Saturday to show solidarity for Christians here and around the world.

On April 19, the brethren will host the first-ever March for Jesus Christ that will begin at sunrise at the Angler’s Roost Bridge on the south side of Hamilton and travel all the way to Lolo.
Their plan calls for joining the congregations of at least 15 churches together on the 40-mile journey.
Each church will be responsible for covering at least three miles while carrying a staff topped by a cross.
“It will be something like a torch run,” said organizer Doug Mason. “Forty miles may seem like a long ways to walk, but three miles is doable for just about everyone.”
At a planning meeting earlier this week, the first three churches in the valley stepped forward to offer support and select their legs on the route.
They include: Corvallis United Methodist Church, In One Hope Ministries of Corvallis and Victor’s Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene.
Mason said the Military Brethren of the Bitterroot organization is an outgrowth of a veterans breakfast prayer meeting that began last year at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton.
“As we’ve grown, we’ve tried to find ways to give back to the community,” Mason said. “When we find veterans in need of help, we minister to them. Several of our members now take time to sit with Alzheimer’s patients so their caregivers can have time to do things they need to do.”
Discussions at those weekly Push Back With Prayer breakfast meetings often turn to worries about the direction the country is heading, Mason said.
“There is a lot angst,” he said. “There are a lot of people who perceive that Christianity is in the crosshairs. A lot of people just feel alone.”
“We just want to try to show solidarity for our faith,” he said. “There are a lot of churches here in the valley. There are a lot of places to worship.”
But it’s rare that they all come together at one time.
Mason said this event offers that opportunity.
“We think it’s a good way to spread the word,” he said. “To show solidarity for Christians in the valley and throughout the world.”
For more information, people can call 406-546-4244.
The organization has a blog at pushbackwithprayer.blogspot.com, as well as a Facebook page and Twitter account at @Walk_April_19.
The next planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. in the Farmers State Bank community room in Victor.
Reach reporter Perry Backus at 363-3300 or pbackus@ravallirepublic.com.