British Pakistani Christian Association is pleased to announce that Redbridge Easter Parade is to return to our borough for 2017.
Event: Redbridge Easter Parade
Date: Easter Monday 17th April 2017
Venue: Concert at Ilford Town Hall Steps
Time: 12:00 – 19:00
Activities: Face painting, bouncy castle, Art workshops, Bible study tent, Bible bookstore, healing tent, prayer tent, drama, music, parade, commercial stalls.
The event which is now considered the largest attended event in the borough with an attendance around 15,000 visitors in 2015, is set to thrill and enthrall the diverse community of Redbridge.
Churches across the borough will organise the event through a joint committee and the day will be an opportunity for Christians to celebrate the death of Christ and his resurrection that led to the salvation of all mankind.
A music event with modern and traditional worship and gospel music will be held on the steps of the town hall from 12:00 – 19:00.
The event will also include a free bouncy castle and various community and commercial stalls.
The event is also an opportunity for non-Christians to learn about the Christian faith and stewards will be available to share a testimony about their faith, to provide free Bibles and other literature on the Christian faith, to pray for healing and other personal prayers or simply to provide some spiritual counselling.
Regular planing meetings are to be held at the BPCA offices every Friday from 6pm and any Christians interested in volunteering, or any churches or Christian group wanting to be part of the event planning committee and management body are welcome to attend.
British Pakistani Christian Association would like to invite anyone who would like to hold a stall at the event Christian or Commercial to contact us for an application form. We applya discount for stalls for charities and community groups.
For more details contact Wilson Chowdhry on 020 8514 0861 or email admin@britishpakistanichristians.org
Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, Wilson Chowdhry, said:
“The event is a chance for local churches to engage with the local community to share the joy that we feel during one of the most important dates in the Christian Calendar.
“Anyone and everyone is invited to join us in the revelry, merriment and cheer that Easter brings.
“Redbridge Easter parade focuses on the true message of Easter which is new life, salvation and the great sacrifice of our saviour Jesus Christ. Spiritually uplifting songs enable all visitors to reflect on the glory of God, while trained stewards will be ready to spend time sharing the gospel message for anyone who would like to know more.”
He added:
“Last year the BPCA made a decision not to hold the event as members of the group were mourning the loss of family members in the Twin Church attack in Lahore of 2015.
“As things transpired a bomb attack in Gulshan Park on Easter Monday 2016 which would have been the proposed day for the event, meant that I was called to an interview with the BBC and ITV, a function I would not have been able to conduct had the parade been in place.
I believe God guided us to take a break for this very purpose as our group is a voice for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Pakistan.”
“This year the group has decided to go ahead with plans for this years event and to hold a minutes silence for the victims of the Gulshan Park Bomb attack, that targeted Christians but also led to the deaths on Muslims.
“In solidarity with people of good conscience of all faiths we have invited the Pakistan HIgh Commissioner to attend our event to share words of condolence and to speak of their efforts to build a fairer society in Pakistan, one in which all people are equal.”
