Fly Jesus: Planes to take 'Jesus loves you' banners around UK festivals this summer

Banners with the message 'Jesus loves every 1 of u' will be flown over the UK this summer, with four pilots from across the country commissioned by Christians especially to target large secular events.

The 'Fly Jesus' initiative will be facilitated by Escalls Methodist Church in Sennen, Cornwall, where the idea also originated of a 'Praise Bus' to follow the Olympic Torch around Britain in 2012.

Escalls Methodist Church in Sennen, Cornwall. Flickr

The new plan is the brainchild of church activist Christine Bonfield, who says she had a vision from God who told her: 'Get a plane, tie a banner with my message on it and fly the length and breadth of the country.'

The estimated cost of the project is £150,000, with four pilots set to fly the banners, which have been ordered from the US, on single-engine planes across the UK starting from the South West, London, Yorkshire and Lancashire over six weeks. Secular festivals will be particularly targeted, along with Cornwall, which sees some 4 million visitors every summer.

'It's a case of hitting as many people as possible,' Bonfield, who is coordinating the plan, told Christian Today. 'We are just hitting secular events. There's no point in targeting Christians. It's a case of taking it out to the secular world.' Asked why now, Bonfield referred to her vision, outlined on the 'Fly Jesus' website, adding: 'For whatever reason, God knows the urgency.'

The 2012 praise bus followed the Olympic Torch's route around the country and acted as a mobile stage for Christian musicians and worship bands.

To donate to the 'Fly Jesus' project, click here.  

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV

Sarah Mullally referred to previous ecumenical meetings between Anglican and Catholic heads.

Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service
Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service

A missionary whose work helped bring the Bible to indigenous communities in Paraguay’s remote Chaco region is retiring after 44 years of ministry and translation work.

Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence
Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence

Fresh criticism is being directed at European leaders over what campaigners describe as a failure to take meaningful action to protect Syria’s Christian communities amid renewed sectarian violence and reports of incessant persecution.

Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry
Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry

Living Loving Serving: Women Leaders in the Church is the debut documentary film from Keep the Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black Christian community.