MORE THAN 200 TAKE PART IN 'MARCH FOR JESUS'

Most marched. Some came on in-line skates, others rode bicycles.

A few youngsters were placed in strollers, others in little red wagons.

A few people rode in vehicles and at least one participant made the annual mile and a half "March for Jesus" in his wheelchair.

More than 200 participants from a number of area churches walked from the Grace United Methodist Church parking lot near the intersection of Broadway and Craters, down Broadway to the Common Pleas Courthouse lawn along Spanish Street.

"This event is not about big numbers," said the Rev. Fred Poston local march coordinator. "It's not about political or social issues. It's just unity in the name Jesus."

The crowd was larger than a year ago, when about 150 people made the march, but smaller than the 1997 crowd of more than 300 marchers.

The local event was one of many marches planned in cities throughout the United States and more than 100 nations around the globe. As many as 10 million were predicted to participate in the march Saturday throughout the world.

Some 15 to 20 churches were represented in the Cape Girardeau march.

"It's a good opportunity to make a public statement about Christ," said Poston. "It's a chance to put aside denomination and worship differences and celebrate in the streets."

Andrea Hammack of Cape Girardeau has participated in the march since it was inaugurated seven years ago. The Saturday march was the first for young Taylor Hammack, Hammack's three-weeks old daughter. Baby Taylor and two-year-old brother, Nate, rode in a two-passenger baby stroller. Also participating in the march was Andrea's husband, Tony Hammack.

"This gives us a chance to get together with friends, pray and show our love of Jesus," said Andrea Hammack.

The march was the first for Zack and Diane Strong, who recently moved to the Jackson area from Paducah, Ky.

"This is great representation from many churches," said Zack Strong. "And, they're here from all church denominations and all ages."

Many carried banners and signs, declaring "Love for God," and "Praise of Prayer."

Two sound trucks in the parade allowed march participants to sing their praises as they marched the distance along Broadway. Along the march some read from Bibles and shouted words of praise.

Not to be left out were a couple of four-legged friends, including "Slinky," a long-haired red dachshund, who walked alongside its owner, Darrell Keller, who was participating in the annual parade for the first time.

An opening prayer started the parade.

The March for Jesus began in Austin, Texas, about eight years ago. It started in Cape Girardeau in 1993. Although it originated in the United States, other countries also participate so that the event takes on a global dimension.

This year's local march was longer than in previous years, when groups gathered at May Greene Elementary School, and marched a mile to the Common Pleas Courthouse Park.