At least one group of local Christians is sporting religious apparel today, in an effort to remind others that Christ paid the ultimate price.

Members of River Falls Baptist Church, including the entire youth group, are participating in a nationwide semi-annual “One Million Walking Billboards for Christ” event, which is sponsored by SonGear.com, a small Christian merchandise company in Illinois.

April Barton, whose husband Michael is the youth pastor at the church, said she found out about the event via Facebook and thought it was a great idea.

“A friend of mine put it as an event on Facebook,” she said. “The idea is to have one million walking billboards for Christ. Our youth group has committed to doing it, as well as others within our church.”

Barton said she thought it was a great way for church members to profess their Christian faith to others.

Andalusia High School student Alex Bowen, who is a member of River Falls Baptist Church, said she was happy to wear her T-shirt to school today.

“I am wearing my shirt to show people that I am saved,” she said.

“And they should be, too.”

Fellow youth group member and Red Level High School student Taylor Watson agreed.

“I want to show everyone I’m a child of God – it’s really cool,” she said. “And they should be, too.”

Bob Van Zandt and family are the nationwide organizers of the event and their Web site said they are unsure of what the return will be from this event, but said they know that God’s word never returns void.