|TOP|A new roadside billboard campaign has been launched in Newmains, Scotland, to bring drivers back to Christ, as well as to encourage existing Christians in the development of their faith.

Members of the local Calvary Carluke Christian Fellowship came up with the innovative campaign in a bid to give the Gospel message a higher profile in the area, reports Wishaw Press.

Motorists travelling on the A73 between Newmains and Carluke will see a 20 feet wide poster board showing a young woman sitting next to a storm-blown palm tree and overlooking a wave-lashed beach.

Drivers will be challenged by the question, “Are you finding life stormy? Put your trust in Jesus”, on the giant billboard, to stay up for a year.

The board will also display a freephone number for passing motorists to call for advice and more info on Christianity and how to become a Christian, provided within a special information pack.

|QUOTE|Pastor Jim Tatton of Calvary Carluke, who heads the campaign, explained: “More and more we’re seeing encouraging signs of local people turning to Christ. The billboard campaign is intended to encourage existing Christians in their faith and to invite people who are searching spiritually to find out more.”

The £7500-a-year campaign billboard is designed to spread the message of the Gospel rather than promote any one particular church or denomination and will reach out to motorists with a new message each month.

The initiative is already being funded in the first six months by supporters from across the communities of Wishaw, Carluke, Lanark, Law and the Newmains area.
Pastor Tatton added: “I am humbled by the tremendous financial support from local Christians who share a vision of seeing more lives turned around and restored through faith in Christ.”

John Shaw, leader of Carluke-based Revival Men’s Ministry, commented: “My dream is to see a billboard on the other side of the A73 so we catch people in both directions and to have more posters in other Lanarkshire sites to encourage people to join the Christian faith.”