NEBRASKA CITY - John Davis calls Nebraska City his hometown because that's where he wrestled for the Pioneers, bonded with other Nebraska City walk-ons for the Cornhusker football team and embarked on his musical journey. It's also the place where he made a single decision for Jesus that impacted his life and placed him in the midst of a raucous Bourbon Street crowd during Mardi Gras this year.

The former teacher, singer and case worker heard about No Greater Love Ministries a few years after graduating high school, but it took him 26 years to actually make it to the annual carnival celebration.

 

He was among men who dressed as clowns for pre-parade entertainment and he joined hundreds of others who carried a wooden cross down Bourbon Street. The cross procession went daily for 15 intersections, with five to six men spreading the gospel to anyone who would listen. Sometimes they did.

Davis was struck by an encounter with two men from France who said they would soon marry and wanted to know if Jesus still loves them, a young Jewish medical student with questions about faith and two brothers from Central America who were curious about the ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

There were also plenty of scoffers and social media posts questioning why the men would crowd the space at Mardi Gras.

Davis: "I ask would Jesus be there and find the answer to be yes. If Jesus would be there, why wouldn't I?"

Davis was never drawn to events like Mardi Gras when he was young, and had been content to be a part of No Greater Love Ministry in prayer alone for over two decades. Nine years ago, the invitation came while he was laid off. He realized his excuses were gone. This year is his third trip.

Davis: 'If you want to see lives transformed, experience Mardi Gras with No Greater Love Ministries. If  you can share Jesus at a place called Mardi Gras, there isn't a place in the world you can't do the same."

The practice of carrying the cross down Bourbon Street raised criticism on social media posts and Davis said there was plenty of hostility from within the pressing crowds, but he says the experiences there put fire in his heart for ministry throughout the year.

Photos by Casey Bergen