LJWorld.com / Christian group plans mailing

Archive for Thursday, December 7, 2000

‘Jesus’ film will be sent to thousands in Shawnee County

The Associated Press

December 7, 2000

Topeka — Residents of Shawnee County can expect to receive a free video about Jesus Christ in the mail, just in time for Christmas 2001. A few months later, they'll be asked by telephone if they have seen the video and if they wish to become Christians.

However, some religious leaders in Topeka expressed concern about mailing the video to all households, saying doing so doesn't take into consideration the religious preferences of others.

Plans for the mass mailing were announced Tuesday by leaders of the Shawnee County Jesus Video Project.

In all, organizers expect to spend $250,000 to send the video called "Jesus" to 74,000 homes in Shawnee County. Churches, businesses and individuals will fund the effort.

Rich O'Brian, chairman of the county project and station manager of Christian radio station KBUZ-FM, said the goal "is to bring people face to face with Jesus Christ."

Organizers hope at least 40 churches in the Topeka area will take part, O'Brian said.

"I don't for a moment doubt the sincerity and good intentions of those who do such things," the Rev. John Erickson, president of Interfaith of Topeka and pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, said.

"But I question the effectiveness in bringing people to Christ. The best way to do that is the personal living of the gospel, treating people with justice and dignity and respect."

Rabbi Lawrence P. Karol, of Temple Beth Shalom, said he didn't think mailing the video to all households in the county was appropriate.

"I would prefer they send it to Christian households in order to enhance their faith," Karol said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's all they really need to do."