Christian Trend Turns Believers into Billboards

A growing movement is seeing everydayis typically read by over 3,000 people during its
Christians sharing their faith in some very distinctlylifetime of wear."They let people literally become
non-church settings.Its called lifestyle evangelism -living, walking around, breathing billboards for
using the places and situations you find yourself inChrist," he says.
each day to share your faith.And it's often doneWhile Christian shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and
without words at all, through the wearing ofthe like are appropriate for everyday wear, there
Christian clothing and Christian jewelry.are some situations where they just don't work -
The design and style of religious clothing haslike the office or at formal gatherings.
changed greatly over the years. This year, it's asThat's where Christian jewelery comes in. It used
sophisticated, stylish and trendy as regularto be a simple cross was the only choice in
clothing.The big difference is in the message.Christian jewelry.That's all changed now as the
Christian T- Shirts, for example, deliver catch Biblelifestyle evangelism trend has taken off. Christian
verses in sharp and bold designs.For example, onerings, necklaces, earrings and braclets have
shirt aimed at sportsmen is in camo green andbecome hugely popular in recent years. Rings in
emblazoned with the image of a huge buck deer.the design of a crown of thorns, with the name
The message reads: "Are you Hunting.... For God."Jesus, or bearing the image of a dove or the
A subtle Bible verse accompanies theancient fish symbol for a Christian are hot sellers.
design.Another, aimed at football nuts, has theThere are even toe rings now for Christians.The
image of a referee with the words "Penaltysuccess of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry
Declined" boldly splashed across the chest,has spread to other areas.
followed by Romans 4:8, which says "Blessed areOne of the hottest items this year picks up on
they whose sin the Lord does not charge againstthe digital music craze. An item just released in
them."There are other Christian shirts that parodytime for the 2006 holiday shopping season is a
top TV shows, pop advertising campaigns, slogans"suit" for the Apple Computer iPod. The iPod suit
and images. One of the most popular sold by byis a case that wraps around either the nano or
the Christian Christian Shopper Web store is athe larger iPod video model. Constructed from
dark navy shirt that mimmicks the style of thesoft Neoprene and flexible vinyl, the Pod Suit
wellknown Abercrombie and Fitch logo.... exceptallows full access to all controls and comes with a
the words on this shirt read "A Breadcrumb and asturdy clip is perfect for attaching the iPod to a
Fish" and tell the story of the feeding of thebelt, purse or backpack. It's message? "Tune in to
5,000 from Matthew 15, noting that "He stillGod."Fletcher says Christians are embracing the
works miracles."Mike Fletcher, the owner of Onlinelifestyle evangelism movement because they
Christian Shopper, says Christian clothing hashave grown tired of being marginalized by society.
extremely popular this year."We live in a T-Shirt"People tell me all the time that they want to
culture," he says. "Too often, the messages onshare their faith but they didn't know how until
secular T-Shirts is crude or offensive. Christianthey realized that they could make a statement
T-Shirts bring a message of hope and joy. Youby the clothes they wear," he says. "They love
should hear the stories I get from customersbeing able to let the world know that they follow
who wear them and end up having veryChrist and that all is not gloom and doom out
meaningful spiritual conversations with totalthere."Online Christian Shopper ( is one of the
strangers. They are a great evangelism tool andInternet's most popular Christian Websites,
today's shirts are so sharp and stylish that theyspecializing in Christian clothing, Christian jewelry
can be worn just about everywhere."Fletcherand Christian art posters.
says industry experts say that a Christian T-Shirt