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Elim Church
World News

Church forced to remove the word 'Jesus' from Easter advert

by Eno Adeogun

Elim Church in New South Wales paid for digital signs to be displayed at Erina Fair shopping centre before a complaint about the wording was made.

Pastor Martin Duffy told 2GB radio that shopping centre manager Lendlease objected to the signs and forced them to be changed to read "Risen Christ" instead of "Jesus".

 

"The phrase 'Jesus is alive'...is the core message of the Christian faith and what Easter's really all about," he said.

"It's a good message. I think there's a minority group out there that are constantly distorting the message of Jesus Christ. It's just going on and on."

The sign was placed as an advertisement for an upcoming free community event.

Elim Church/Facebook

The pastor claimed Lendlease requested the sign be changed as it could offend non-Christian shoppers.

However, Mr Duffy said Lendlease has since changed their mind and allowed "Jesus" to be included in the sign.

In a statement, a Lendlease spokeswoman said they regretted asking for the sign to be changed.

"It was an error of judgment to ask Elim Church to change its messaging, and we apologise unreservedly. Lendlease values diversity and inclusion, and we welcome people of all backgrounds at our shopping centres."

While the sign hasn't been returned to its original wording, Mr Duffy said he was hopeful it will eventually be returned.

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