March for Jesus Achieves 27th Year

Olney’s downtown streets rang with music and praise Saturday morning as residents gathered for the 27th Annual March for Jesus, a tradition that has become a cornerstone of the town’s faith communi- ty.

The parade was led by a colorful miniature locomotive, reflecting this year’s theme:“The Gospel Train is Coming.” The parade also featured train rides for the children.

The march began at 10 a.m., led this year by a lively new addition: the March for Jesus Marching Band. Four junior high boys—armed with two saxophones, a trumpet, and a drum—brought a joyful noise to the crowd with stirring renditions of “Amazing Grace,” “All to Jesus,” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The crowd sang along, but laughter also rolled down Main Street when the quartet threw in a playful version of “Baby Shark” to keep things lighthearted.

The procession wound its way through town and culminated at the First Baptist Church of Olney, where longtime marchers and newcomers alike gathered for testimonies and scripture, and a luncheon, prizes and raffle in the fellowship hall.

Founder Verma Fobbs, who still faithfully marches each year, shared how the idea for Olney’s March for Jesus first came to her. Years ago, she met a woman with one leg shorter than the other who, despite her difficulty, marched for Jesus every Easter. Inspired by that devotion, Mrs. Fobbs decided she too could march—and invited the community to join her. Nearly three decades later, her vision has become a fixture of Olney’s spiritual life and has even inspired similar marches in neighboring towns such as Wichita Falls.

“If she could march for Jesus, so could I,” Mrs. Fobbs reminded the crowd, walking shoulder to shoulder with paradegoers to offer her encouragement. She added that she would continue marching “as long as the Lord lets me.”

A Message of Redemption The morning’s program concluded with a message from FBCO Youth Minister Jaden Brisco, who spoke on Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace.”

Mr. Brisco explained how the passage points to Christ as the “Kinsman Redeemer,” drawing parallels between Old Testament debt laws and Jesus’ sacrifice. Just as a family member in Biblical times could redeem a relative from servitude, Christ, being of our flesh, redeems humanity through His blood.

“His Blood purchased the ticket to Heaven,” he said, “but without it, we board the train to Hell.”