The idea is deceptively simple: Stand on a street corner and hold up three fingers.
It’s just the idea that First Baptist Church, Panama City, Fla., member Mark Mitchum had after recognizing the lack of a clearly defined, unmistakable hand gesture for Christians.
“I came up with the idea while driving around,” said Mitchum, a 1995 graduate of the University of Mobile school of nursing and a registered nurse in a cardiac lab in Panama City. “I would see lots of Christian symbols, like the cross, fish or dove or even a clever bumper sticker or two, and would think, ‘Hey, that’s cool; they’re Christians but what do they know about me?’”
He chose the three-finger gesture as a symbol of the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While researching Christian gestures, Mitchum said he found “nothing in mainstream pop culture to mean ‘Christian.’” Other than the “W” in sign language, the three-finger symbol didn’t have another national meaning in popular culture.
That is until now. Mitchum is on a mission to spread the symbol, also known as “three throwing,” among the Christian community.
First, Panama City, Senior Pastor Craig Conner said, “Mark has given the body of Christ a simple, yet meaningful, symbol for encouraging one another as we are walking in the world. A simple ‘three throw’ reminds us who we are and challenges us to fight the good fight of faith.”
Mitchum hopes to see three throwing used to promote fellowship and community among followers of Christ whether in “traffic, ballgames, concerts, photos or anywhere the Word can’t be heard.”
In order to raise awareness of the symbol, he created a video titled “Three Throw the Trinity Christian Hand Sign!,” which shows it in action at a busy intersection. In addition, Mitchum has given out thousands of bumper stickers depicting the sign. He said the sticker can serve as an invitation to another believer to connect with you.
Mitchum also hopes the symbol can stir the curiosity of nonbelievers and act as a convenient icebreaker for those outside the Christian community to ask questions and create dialogue.
“I think this expression of our faith has the potential to sweep across the nation and world,” said Bruce Raley, national education ministry leader with LifeWay Christian Resources and former teaching pastor of First, Panama City. “This simple sign is a means to let others know of our faith and life in Jesus Christ. There is encouragement in knowing that others in our community are Christians and not ashamed to proclaim so.”
Matthew 18:20 serves as the inspiration for three throwing, reading, “For where two or three are gathered together, I am there in the midst of them.” Mitchum encourages believers to “gather together in corporate fellowship” to lift up Christ and promote a sense of Christian unity.
Easy as it may be, there’s a deeper purpose to three throwing than just holding up three fingers. It’s a matter of glorifying the name of Jesus in a creative, unconventional way.
“There is just something different, eternity-centered and all-completing about helping initiate and establish a way for … the King of the universe to be exalted in more places and by more people than before,” Mitchum said.
It’s a simple effort that could go a long way.
“What we as Christians did for the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, will be the only true criteria for any effort worth remembering and celebrating,” Mitchum said.
For more information or to receive a Trinity sticker, e-mail info@threethrow.com or visit www.threethrow.com. (UMobile)
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