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Publication Date: 30 OCTOBER 2008
WITNESS
As a matter of principle I try to stay out of
the theological static that bounces around when Christians gather.
You know the type:
It's not that I don't have any opinions on the whole thing. I do.
But to be honest, what I think really isn't important in the grand
scheme of things.
Anyway, I bring this up as part of the introduction because I remember
some of the fallout around the whole 'Jesus Is My Logo' thing when
TOPE 'ICIE' CHIDOZIE started with the movement earlier in the year.
I remember reading someone's comments about how the gospel had
now been trivialised to the point of just being another follow-fashion,
You know the type:
It's not that I don't have any opinions on the whole thing. I do.
But to be honest, what I think really isn't important in the grand
scheme of things.
Anyway, I bring this up as part of the introduction because I remember
some of the fallout around the whole 'Jesus Is My Logo' thing when
TOPE 'ICIE' CHIDOZIE started with the movement earlier in the year.
I remember reading someone's comments about how the gospel had
now been trivialised to the point of just being another follow-fashion,
'...is it OK for Christian artists to record with mainstream artists?'
'...is Hip-hop or Grime (or whatever new incarnation of Street Music
is out at the time) a legitmate vehicle to spread the gospel...'?
'...is Hip-hop or Grime (or whatever new incarnation of Street Music
is out at the time) a legitmate vehicle to spread the gospel...'?
(and quite poor) social trend rip-off.
Still, I held my peace.
Then 'JESUS IS MY LOGO day' came around. I found it even more
fascinating as the team challenged its members to abandon their
comfort zone and do more than just wear the badge, but proactively
share the Jesus they professed with people around them.
That seemed to have been such a success that a call went out for a
'JESUS IS MY LOGO WEEK', and tied into that was the 'Jesus Is My
Logo West End Blitz', in the tourist magnet that is the West End of London.
Teams started at Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court
Road, handing out JESUS IS MY LOGO badges and flyers, and finally
meeting up at Oxford Circus.
Still, I held my peace.
Then 'JESUS IS MY LOGO day' came around. I found it even more
fascinating as the team challenged its members to abandon their
comfort zone and do more than just wear the badge, but proactively
share the Jesus they professed with people around them.
That seemed to have been such a success that a call went out for a
'JESUS IS MY LOGO WEEK', and tied into that was the 'Jesus Is My
Logo West End Blitz', in the tourist magnet that is the West End of London.
Teams started at Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court
Road, handing out JESUS IS MY LOGO badges and flyers, and finally
meeting up at Oxford Circus.
At this stage, one of the things that left a deep impresson on me was
how many Christians (myself included) talk the talk so powerfully
within the comfort of Christian social circles, but less so within our
network of non-Christian family, friends and acquaintances...
These guys took it one step further - out into to the streets. Literally.
Then I saw the video.
At that moment - even though I had been a fan of the project all along -
I knew I had to bring the whole thing back here again and do a piece on it.
I put the out call to ICIE and got him to do a little report, which - in
typical 21st century stylee - he knocked out for me on his Blackberry.
So, that's why I stay out of the static. Only God knows what's really
how many Christians (myself included) talk the talk so powerfully
within the comfort of Christian social circles, but less so within our
network of non-Christian family, friends and acquaintances...
These guys took it one step further - out into to the streets. Literally.
Then I saw the video.
At that moment - even though I had been a fan of the project all along -
I knew I had to bring the whole thing back here again and do a piece on it.
I put the out call to ICIE and got him to do a little report, which - in
typical 21st century stylee - he knocked out for me on his Blackberry.
So, that's why I stay out of the static. Only God knows what's really
being done for Him and His glory. People much more proficient in the
study and understanding of the scripture than I am have eloquently
argued for and against what is (and isn't) valid..
However, I know stuff that inspires me when I see it - and this certainly did...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UKGospel.com
study and understanding of the scripture than I am have eloquently
argued for and against what is (and isn't) valid..
However, I know stuff that inspires me when I see it - and this certainly did...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UKGospel.com
More Than a Badge
Tope Chidozie
As the end of February 2008 left behind it
the remnant celebrations of Valentine's
day, one company were busy getting ready
to celebrate a little something of their own:
the official release of their new badge
range, SAY SOMETHING!
Icepix Workshop, a photography and design outfit founded by Tope
Chiedozie (Icie from Commission) was birthed over a year ago out of a
love for photography and art.
Seizing 2008 as a year of open opportunity Icepix decided to make the
uncanny decision to release a badge range after a burst of inspiration
while visiting a Borders bookstore:
' I went to the bookstore initially to look for something else and then
the remnant celebrations of Valentine's
day, one company were busy getting ready
to celebrate a little something of their own:
the official release of their new badge
range, SAY SOMETHING!
Icepix Workshop, a photography and design outfit founded by Tope
Chiedozie (Icie from Commission) was birthed over a year ago out of a
love for photography and art.
Seizing 2008 as a year of open opportunity Icepix decided to make the
uncanny decision to release a badge range after a burst of inspiration
while visiting a Borders bookstore:
' I went to the bookstore initially to look for something else and then
found a book about badges. After flicking through I thought about
how no one wears badges anymore...
That's when I decided... Let's bring the badge back!'
The months of December and January were spent tirelessly researching
the concept and nature of badges and their power to speak a thousand
words in such a small amount of space, hence the name SAY SOMETHING
A conscious decision was then made to ensure the badges would make
a statement to the onlooking world.
The first release from the range 'Jesus Is My Logo' immediately became a
hit amongst young and old consumers from its trendy fashion accessory
aspect but also in its power to help Christians share their faith with other
people.
how no one wears badges anymore...
That's when I decided... Let's bring the badge back!'
The months of December and January were spent tirelessly researching
the concept and nature of badges and their power to speak a thousand
words in such a small amount of space, hence the name SAY SOMETHING
A conscious decision was then made to ensure the badges would make
a statement to the onlooking world.
The first release from the range 'Jesus Is My Logo' immediately became a
hit amongst young and old consumers from its trendy fashion accessory
aspect but also in its power to help Christians share their faith with other
people.
The slogan came about after realising the brand power that every
company must have in order to be a success.
Without branding a company is nothing. Likewise our life is the company
and without our logo we are nothing (John 15:5)
The badges had to have meaning, but I also wanted them to be in line with
what's happening in fashion now. So we incorporated bright colours and
bold fonts to carry the message...
As the months rolled on a concentrated effort was initiated to keep the
focus and meaning of the badge, and as such JULY 13th - 21st 2008 was
earmarked as Jesus is my Logo week - where a range of initiatives were
put together to effectively push the evangelistic aspect of the badges.
On Saturday 20th July more than 50 young people from across London
company must have in order to be a success.
Without branding a company is nothing. Likewise our life is the company
and without our logo we are nothing (John 15:5)
The badges had to have meaning, but I also wanted them to be in line with
what's happening in fashion now. So we incorporated bright colours and
bold fonts to carry the message...
As the months rolled on a concentrated effort was initiated to keep the
focus and meaning of the badge, and as such JULY 13th - 21st 2008 was
earmarked as Jesus is my Logo week - where a range of initiatives were
put together to effectively push the evangelistic aspect of the badges.
On Saturday 20th July more than 50 young people from across London
gathered in the West End to deliver - The West End Blitz!
The Blitz was taken from the idea of the first and second world wars
where Germany used to blitz the capital of London with their bombs,
strategically hitting specific points all at the same time.
Over 500 FREE badges were given out to
commuters, shoppers and passers-by in the West
End area.
Teams were allocated and designated different
points from Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street.
Armed with badges, flyers, smiles and the truth of Christ in their hearts,
the teams descended on the West End.
The Blitz was taken from the idea of the first and second world wars
where Germany used to blitz the capital of London with their bombs,
strategically hitting specific points all at the same time.
Over 500 FREE badges were given out to
commuters, shoppers and passers-by in the West
End area.
Teams were allocated and designated different
points from Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street.
Armed with badges, flyers, smiles and the truth of Christ in their hearts,
the teams descended on the West End.
After 2/3 hours all teams reported back to
the meeting point bang in the middle of
Oxford street to pray and commit the day
into God's hands.
Many spoke of the struggles people had
with accepting FREE stuff, but many also
spoke of the great opportunity it presented
them with sharing about who Jesus Christ was to them in a personal and
informal manner.
The video featured here is only a snippet from the day but also a glimpse
into the power that a simple badge can wield....
West End Blitz is truly testament to the fact that this is more than a badge,
it is a movement...
the meeting point bang in the middle of
Oxford street to pray and commit the day
into God's hands.
Many spoke of the struggles people had
with accepting FREE stuff, but many also
spoke of the great opportunity it presented
them with sharing about who Jesus Christ was to them in a personal and
informal manner.
The video featured here is only a snippet from the day but also a glimpse
into the power that a simple badge can wield....
West End Blitz is truly testament to the fact that this is more than a badge,
it is a movement...
LINKS
- Jesus Is My Logo
(home on Facebook)
- IcePix (home on
Blogspot)
- Watch West End Blitz
(home on Facebook)
- IcePix (home on
Blogspot)
- Watch West End Blitz
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