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Christians unite to celebrate Good Friday on Diag

Songs of praise echoed throughout the Diag on Friday afternoon as participants in a prayer and worship rally for Good Friday commenced their annual celebration.

"It's a time when Christians can come together and worship God beyond denominational or racial differences," said Jonathan Fellows, director of Christians United.

Christians United, an assembly of representatives from different Christian organizations on campus, has arranged the rally every year since 1989 to celebrate Good Friday, a day that commemorates the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.

"It provides a living testimony of Christ's presence on campus," Fellows said.

The hourlong rally began with a time of worship and prayer led in part by the Korean Campus Crusade for Christ worship team. Participants also distributed songsheets so the crowd could join together in song.

Those who attended said they thoroughly enjoyed hearing praise songs played by a band whose members are part of both the KCCC and the Chinese Campus Crusade for Christ.

"The band leader was really good. He was really into it. It was a faith-building experience," said Matt Bressie, a Medicine first-year student.

Neno Guarisco, a staff member of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, spoke at the rally on the theme of Christian unity, stressing the need for Christian groups on campus to come together and not be split on the basis of race or differences in secondary doctrines, such as modes of baptism.

"The unifying force between all of our groups is Jesus. We need to focus on what we have in common, which is the same savior in Jesus Christ," Guarisco said.

He talked about the University's Christian roots, hoping to encourage Christian groups on campus to be more effective in uniting to carry out their purpose as they did in the past.

"The speaker really enunciated a lot of concerns and really spoke to the people," said LSA senior Joe Cox.

After the close of the rally, an ensemble of guitarists played songs while the crowd began to disperse.

People who attended said they were impressed by the music and by the spirit of the rally.

"It was incredible. There are more Christians on this campus than I realized. It's very encouraging," said Christopher French, a Music senior.

Fellows said he was pleased with the turnout, saying the sounds of voices could be heard all around.

Participants estimated the crowd at more than 400, which is about 100 fewer than the attendance of last year's rally.

"The best measure of its success is the feedback I get," Fellows said.

People at the rally said they enjoyed it and absorbed its message as well.

"The speaker was on fire. He gave a message that all the groups should stop ripping on each other. There should be more inter-mingling," said Engineering junior Nathan Goslee.