Rain Can’t Dampen 28th March for Jesus

A little rain wasn’t going to stop Olney from marching for Jesus.

Rain clouds hung over town, and a light drizzle fell Saturday morning, Oct. 4, as participants gathered at Tommy Perkins Memorial Park for the 28th annual Olney March for Jesus.

But the damp weather did little to dampen the spirits of the marchers, who made their way through Olney carrying umbrellas along with their signs and banners proclaiming their faith. The crowd, many sporting red T-shirts sporting this year’s theme: “Time Is Short, It’s Time for Jesus,” gathered at First Baptist Church of Olney for worship, fellowship and a community lunch.

The annual event was founded by Verma Fobbs, who said during a recent special edition of the Olney on Air podcast that the idea came to her after noticing that people were willing to march publicly for many causes, but no one seemed to be marching for Jesus.

“I just had a heart to do what the Lord had laid on my heart — to actually march in the streets of Olney, Texas, for Jesus,” Ms. Fobbs said.

This year’s theme, “Time Is Short, It’s Time for Jesus,” grew out of the word “urgency” and Joel 2:1, organizer Shirley Jeter said.

Ms. Jeter, Ms. Fobbs, and First Baptist Olney Pastor Dr. Chad Edgington said the march is also intended to bring Christians from different churches and traditions together around their shared faith.

After a brief parade from Tommy Perkins Memorial Park to Main Street, participants made their way to First Baptist Church, where the celebration moved indoors.

The First Baptist Olney worship band provided music, followed by a message from First Baptist Church of Holliday Pastor Teddy Sorrels.

After the worship service, the crowd moved into the fellowship hall for a free community lunch featuring brisket sandwiches and the event’s traditional prize drawings and giveaways.

Children waited to see who would take home the bicycles and other prizes, while the grownups had their eyes on one of the event’s biggest giveaways — a big-screen television. Bibles were also given away.

The gathering brought to a close another March for Jesus, an Olney tradition that has now continued for 28 years.