With fall elections on the horizon and COVID-19 not yet in the rearview mirror, Martha Sikes knew she could no longer remain silent.
With a burden to share the light of Christ in her community, Sikes asked her Sunday School class at Sampey Memorial Baptist Church in Ramer what they could do to ignite a spark in the darkness.
From her inspiration was born the Jesus 2020 campaign — a movement to lead Christians in prayer for revival in America.
“Our country needs Jesus more than ever before,” Sikes said. “The Lord laid it upon our hearts that we couldn’t continue to hide our light under a bushel.”
Fellow Sampey member Joyce Hubbard developed a patriotic red, white and blue campaign-style sign, with a theme emphasizing America’s need for Christ.
“Everyone is so disheartened and in despair,” Hubbard said. “We wanted to put something in our yards. As I worked on the design, I realized the answer is simple — we need Jesus. We need to campaign for Jesus. I had no idea what it would be like when we started this. The excitement it has brought to people has just lifted them up.”
Momentum building
With Sampey as “Jesus 2020” campaign headquarters, the movement gained momentum and the church commissioned signs through a local printer, Wells Printing in Montgomery.
Within two weeks, the historic south Montgomery County church had distributed more than 750 signs.
“You see [the sign] when you come in and out of the driveway,” Hubbard said. “Shut-ins can look out their window and see it. People driving down the road can see it. It’s a ministry we’re not having to gather to do.”
In fact, the church reopened from pandemic closure in May, with an average attendance of fewer than 20. Since Jesus 2020 began, Sikes said three new people have visited the church.
Positive responses
“We’ve had very positive responses from churches and an unbelievable response in our community,” Sikes said. “People who don’t go to church are telling us that this is just what they need. I think [the campaign] has given people a ray of hope for our country. When people see that sign it’s a reminder of putting Jesus first in our lives every day.”
“This is not political, partisan or denominational,” Hubbard said. “Jesus is for all the sinners. He’s not a winner; He’s THE winner. You see signs for all these things that are supposed to make your life better, but you don’t see Jesus everywhere. We are just promoting Jesus.”
As the presidential election approaches, Sikes said she knew it was the right time to promote a renewed focus on Christ.
Jesus 2020 points toward The Return, a Sept. 26 National Day of Prayer and Repentance rally in Washington, Sikes said. Prayer initiatives begin 40 days before the presidential election and rally organizers plan to call the people of America to repentance and a return to God.
“We want Jesus to be a part of this election,” she said. “We want to pray for revival, for people to turn to Jesus and for Christians to be on fire for Jesus. The Bible tells us to go out and reach others for Him, so we want to draw in unbelievers also. In our world today, everything is acceptable. We need to turn our eyes on Jesus and what the Bible says.”
Each Jesus 2020 sign includes a scan code for the campaign’s Facebook page, where viewers can find information about ordering the signs and a link to The Return rally.
Sampey volunteers have distributed signs to churches in Montgomery, Bullock and Autauga Counties.
Neal Hughes, Montgomery Baptist Association director of missions, is helping Sampey members spread the word throughout the association, and organizers hope to share the vision statewide.
“Many of our pastors have taken signs,” Hughes said. “They’re not only putting them in their own yards, they’re asking church folk to put them out too. It’s so beautiful, easy and simple, and I think it has the potential to go from local to global. Churches can produce these themselves to spread the word.”
T-shirts, stickers and car magnets are available along with the signs and may be ordered from Wells Printing or through Sampey.
Sikes said everyone is invited to be part of the Jesus 2020 campaign, which ultimately is about hope. “We believe we are all craving something positive to give us hope,” she said. “God is speaking to many hearts through this mission.”
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