A People's Movement

• Indian Christian Day / Yeshu Bhakti Divas is a People's Movement to celebrate the person and message of Lord Jesus Christ in India.
• A founding principle of the Movement is that it does not create (and it does not encourage, accept, or endorse) any legal entity or any formal mechanism for control, administration and fund-raising.
• The entire vision of the Movement is of grass-roots volunteer effort, and grass-roots donations supporting grass-roots initiatives for the purpose of celebrating July the 3rd each year as ICD/ YBD by means of love, service to the poorest and most disadvantaged, and celebration.
• The Movement exists to encourage individuals and groups who share the vision and whoever in India or around the world, who wishes to organise themselves in their own way, is free to do so. No individual or group needs anyone's authorisation or permission to do their own celebrations in relation to ICD/ YBD.
• The more such initiatives there are the better - in every nation, in every region, in every community, and in every locality. Duplication is good. Multiplicity is good. Variety is even better. The watchwords of the ICD/ YBD are: love, serve, celebrate.
• All individuals and all groups are free to contact and work with whichever individual or group they wish. The result could be a multiplicity of "national" groups, a multiplicity of "regional" groups, a multiplicity of local groups, and perhaps even a multiplicity of celebrations in the same street.  So much the better.
• Resources of some limited sort are available from this website, but individual and groups are free to create their own website and have their own resources printed and/or on the internet.
• The principles of the ICD/YBD Movement are articulated in the Vision & Celebration Guidelines.  However, as there is no central body, there is no way of organising or controlling whether anyone is keeping to these principles or not.
• A Global Steering Group and India Working Group were setup by volunteers to help with the launch of ICD/YBD on 3 July 2021. Having successfully achieved their primary goal, these groups no longer exist, having come to the end of their agreed mandate.

ICD/YBD Movement Vision

VISION: To celebrate the person and message of Lord Jesus Christ which has been in India for nearly 2000 years (Read Declaration)

OFFICIAL LAUNCH: July 3rd, 2021 and every year henceforth.

WHO CAN CELEBRATE?: All followers of Jesus Christ of Indian origin and all who wish to celebrate the person and message of Jesus Christ.

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT: A grassroots initiative of Indian followers of Jesus Christ in India and around the world of various languages, denominations and backgrounds

SCOPE & NATURE OF CELEBRATIONS: July 3rd can be observed locally and globally as Indian Christian Day /Yeshu Bhakti Divas or appropriate equivalent as necessary. All celebrations must be absolutely non-political and non-sectarian, encouraging inclusivity of various languages and traditions where possible.

“JUST ONE” ACTION PLAN: For July 3 Celebration, choose at least ONE ACT of love and kindness to bless the community.

• Churches/Fellowships: Form a planning team, include youth & children and organize a “JUST ONE” action plan for the community outside the church.
• Individuals/Families: Join together with like-minded friends and organize a “JUST ONE” act of love & kindness for the community.

CELEBRATION IDEAS:

• Distribute food or good clothing to poor families
• Cleaning up the streets, planting trees, etc
• Host free camps e.g., Eye clinic, dental, medical, literacy, etc.
• Organize cultural programs with Indian music, dance, festivities
• Organize competitions for various age groups in art, music, writing, speaking etc
• Visit nursing homes, hospitals, prisons

SOCIAL MEDIA & GLOBAL CELEBRATION: Print banners & make posters. Update social media profile with ICD/YBD frame and logo. Take photos of celebrations, share on Facebook /Instagram. Write blogs, articles and spread awareness.

MATERIALS PROVIDED: Free PDF downloads of Declaration, Vision Docs & Celebration Guidelines are available on this website.