Hundreds of people marched through downtown Winnipeg on Saturday as part of the annual Walk for Jesus.
The group stretched several blocks long as participants made their way from the Manitoba Legislature east along Broadway, then south on Donald Street across the Midtown Bridge. From there, the walk continued west on River Avenue before heading north on Osborne Street and back to the Legislature.
Waving flags and holding signs declaring Jesus is Lord, participants sang along to worship music that played from portable speakers. Some paused to pray for people along the route when asked.
@chvn951 Hundreds of people showed up at the Legislature today to take part in the Walk for Jesus. not only did they walk proclaiming Jesus' love, but participants could be seen stopping and praying for people along the route. #winnipeg #walkforjesus #goodnews #Easter #Christisrisen ♬ Let's Go!
“We are coming together to walk for Jesus and honour and remember his life, death and resurrection,” said Todd Sperber, the event’s lead organizer.
Sperber has organized the Walk for Jesus in Winnipeg for several years and says the event is about bringing people together in a message of hope and unity.
“Many people are feeling not fully themselves; many people are feeling isolation,” he said ahead of the event. “We are calling on believers in Christ to come out and share the truth of Jesus Christ and how he can lead us all to feel hope.”
Following the walk, participants gathered once again at the Legislature grounds, where three pastors shared messages and testimonies of how faith has transformed lives.
Sperber, who has spoken openly about his own journey through addiction and brokenness, said the walk is a way to remind people that change is possible and that everyone is welcome.
“Everybody’s accepted because we’re all made in the image of God,” he said. “It’s meaningful for the wider community to see the uniting of churches across denominations and people from all nations and backgrounds.”
Participants were encouraged to wear bright colours, especially yellow — the theme colour of this year’s event.