part in a first ever "March for Jesus'' next Saturday.

Christians from more than 173 countries, including Russia and Albania, will begin marching in their countries at 2 p.m. as a public demonstration of their faith.

And Bermuda's Christians from all denominations may take part in the 24-hour global "praise march.'' Participants are invited to bring along flags and tambourines to the march which leaves TCD car park on Saturday June 25 at 2 p.m. It will proceed along Court and Dundonald Streets to Victoria Park where there will be celebrations and prayers for other nations.

"We are not fund-raising,'' said march organiser, Ms Pat Harney. "This is purely to give honour and glory to God and celebrate the name of Jesus.'' But while Ms Harney says that everyone is welcome, she asks that participants do not bring along church and organisational banners.

"We want to demonstrate unity amongst all Christians and come together as one body,'' she said.

"The first year in London where it all began, there were 15,000 participants but by the following year there were 55,000,'' said Ms Harney.

"And in a similar march in Brazil last year, 350,000 turned out.'' While expectations here are more modest, Ms Harney says she hopes "a few thousand'' will take part on Saturday. "We hope to see all sorts of people there from children in strollers to people in wheelchairs.''