This weekend is Easter weekend, and as a Christian charity, all of our wonderful staff will be celebrating! We asked a group of staff to tell us what their thoughts on Easter were, some of their traditions, and what they’ll be up this Sunday!
We spoke to Innovation and Excellence Manager, Susanne Koch, Coaches Alex Shoderu, Matt Rogers and Andy Dutton, as well as Trustee, John Dutton and CEO Joe Lowther. Here’s what they had to say:
What is so important about Easter, for you as a Christian?
Susanne: Jesus is risen! I think it is the most important event in history.
Matt: It’s a day to remember what Jesus done for us. He died for us so that we could live freely.
Alex: It is when I remember the fact that Jesus paid the highest price for me- His very blood. But He did it not only for me but for the whole world.
Joe: It’s more important than Christmas – without Jesus and death and resurrection we would never be able to have resurrection life reach Heaven.
John: As an atheist, and even as a very immature Christian, I don’t think I really grasped the significance of Easter. I think it was seeing the film Passion of the Christ that made me realise what Jesus did for me (and all mankind) and, more importantly, understand the fact of His resurrection. So now, for me, the importance of Easter is to remember and focus on Jesus’s death and resurrection (even though I think on those things every day).
Andy: Easter is the time of year where we as Christian’s can be mindful of the length that God went to so that he could have a relationship with us.
What do you do on Easter Sunday?
Susanne: I go to church, go on an Easter egg hunt with my nephews and nieces, spend time with my family and we have a huge bonfire in the evening.
Matt: Love doing an Easter egg hunt, whether it’s for me or doing it for others, it’s great fun…after church of course.
Alex: Go to church and chill and reflect after. Maybe go to special Easter presentations at other churches too.
Joe: Church in the morning and family lunch in the afternoon – normally a leg of lamb if we can 🙂 I try and watch the Passion of Christ on Good Friday, it always gets me into the zone!
John: Go to New Life in the morning and then spend time with as many family members as are available.
Andy: In recent years I’ve been down at Spring Harvest every Easter, so working on the sports team, with a special Easter Sunday message for the young people!
What Bible verse from the Easter story is your favourite?
Susanne: John 20:20. “After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
Matt: 1 Peter 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.
Alex: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here. He is risen.” (Luke 24: 5)
Joe: Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
John: Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The knowledge that Jesus is with me always is wonderful.”
Andy: Not strictly from the Easter story, but Ephesians 2:4-5 is my favourite: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sin—it is by grace you have been saved.
What is your favourite song/lyric that reminds you of Easter?
Matt: ‘the resurrected king, is resurrecting me.’
Alex: In Christ alone. (The whole song!)
John: From verse three of “In Christ Alone” – “Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!”
Andy: I actually have a few, all around the same kind of theme! “He took the violent wrath on my behalf so I could have life and be alive at last” (Timothy Brindle, Liberation), “Without the cross there’s only condemnation, If Jesus wasn’t executed there’s no celebration” (Lecrae, Boasting), “But the reason He came was to pay the sum, For the depths of our wickedness, our wretched sinfulness, Bless His magnificence- He’s perfect and innocent, Yet He was wrecked and His death- He predicted it, Next He was stretched, paid a debt that was infinite” (Shai Linne, The Greatest Story Ever Told).
On average, how many Easter eggs do you receive and eat on Easter Sunday?
Susanne: Chocolate or real coloured ones? – Too many of both kinds!
Matt: I’d say 3 or 4…pretty good and keeping them going after Easter Sunday though!
Joe: I get about 6 and I eat the chocolate bars and then give the eggs to my 3 hungry boys!
Andy: Usually 2 or 3, but many end up getting stored and not eaten til Christmas! That said, my son has recently started eating chocolate, so I reckon they will last a lot less time this year!
Sum up the meaning of Easter in one sentence?
Susanne: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and is alive and kicking today!
Matt: A time to celebrate and remember what Jesus has done for us, whilst filling your face with chocolate.
Alex: Jesus put His money where His mouth is.
Joe: Jesus died but now he is risen and that changes everything.
John: A time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection – the fact that makes Him unique and the ONLY Way, Truth and Life.
Andy: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – GRACE
What is your favourite Easter memory?
Susanne: Early Sunday morning Easter Service with a sunrise.
Alex: All of them since so became a Christian at 19!
Joe: Family holidays as a kid around that time of year.
John: Seeing my children’s faces when they received their Easter eggs when they were little. I’m hoping that even better Easter memories are still to come.
Andy: I think the first Easter I was a Christian, and finally understanding the Gospel message was a pretty powerful memory for me. I’d only be a Christian a month or two, and it blew me away! That Easter was about far more than chocolate!
Thank you to our staff members who took the time to answer our questions! We at Kick London would like to wish you the happiest of Easter’s! If this blog post raised any questions for you, or you’d like to know more about anything said in this post, we’d happily welcome your comments on any of our social media platforms, or feel free to e-mail our staff at office@kick.org.uk
God Bless you all, we pray you have a great Easter Weekend,
Kick London