Branded for Jesus Launch

Thank you to our media!

We would like to thank the following media who has Branded for Jesus coverage:

Servamus
Beeld
Radio Rippel
Bosveld Stereo

Pierre Spies is Branded for Jesus!

Gretha Widd is Branded for Jesus

Morne Steyn is Branded for Jesus!

Press release - Branded launch 9 April

Annora Moster, Ivan Jooste en Monique Strydom

What team do you support?
If you are a Christian and have not yet decided what team to support during 2010, then you might be interested in this team. Strong, powerful, the greatest support base in the world and in the winning league for the last 2000 years! Yes, it is the team of Jesus Christ.

A national awareness project, “Branded for Jesus” was launched in Pretoria today – their aim, to offer Christians the opportunity to show the world what team they are playing for.

During the launch, brand ambassador and ex-hostage, Monique Strydom, said that in today’s world, people are bombarded with so many brands and that there are still many who does not know that there is actually only a choice of two brands – that of the world and that of Jesus.

Ten years ago, Monique was kidnapped, together with her husband, Callie, by a Muslim extremist terrorist group. Knowing that it could cost their lives, the Strydoms opted to tell the rebels that they were Christians. They were not killed for this, but in the end this admittance offered them the opportunity to testify. “We could not share our belief with the rebels, as many of them could not speak English, but our testimony was in what we did”, Monique recalled. “We treated everyone with respect, including the rebels. We shared whatever we had, we helped whomever we could help. It did make an impact. One day, the rebel leader who was a notorious killer said to Callie that if Callie is ever wounded in a military attack, he would carry Callie out himself”

Monique Strydom is now showing her choice for Jesus by becoming one of the brand ambassadors for the “Branded for Jesus” project. This national project uses the very recognizable symbol of the Fishhook, a project that was launched in South Africa 12 years ago. The symbol has three elements, namely an anchor (“I am anchored in Christ”), the fish (“I am filled with the holy spirit”) and the hook (“Let’s hook people for Christ”). In 1997 thousands of Christians wore this symbol to show their commitment and the organizers hope that this year thousands again will wear this symbol to show that they are “Branded for Jesus”.

“We hope that Christians will ‘hook’ many people for Christ during 2010. Thousands of visitors will be coming to South Africa, with more than 500 missionary groups”, Monique stated. Not to mention the soccer stars themselves. It is a well-known fact that superstarts like Kaka, Lúcio, Zé Roberto, and Cacau openly profess their faith during matches by either wearing undershirts with a Christian message, or consistently making the sign of the cross throughout the game.

But wearing a recognizable symbol also brings greater responsibility. “Christians must also realize that by wearing a pin that says ‘I am branded for Jesus’, we need to show it in our lifestyle. We need to live the fruits of the spirit and for instance not show signs to people in traffic!”, she laughs.

Christian leaders like Angus Buchan and Gretha Widd, as well as celebrities like Arnold Geerdts, Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn have joined the group in being “branded for Jesus”.

An added bonus of this project is that many Christian charities, schools and ministries will be able to benefit by the funds raised. More than 80% of the funds raised will be donated to Kingdom ministries. “This is once again a sample of Christians not only stating their belief, but putting it into action by helping others in need”, said Monique.
The “Branded for Jesus” pin can be ordered online of found at participating bookstores. For more info on Branded for Jesus, visit www.brandedforjesus.com.