Darwin City Council has denied March for Jesus (M4J) permission to promote Christ in the city’s 2026 Christmas pageant. NT News (NTN) said that the group handing out free Bibles and freely singing worship songs at the 2025 Christmas pageant were reasons for the decision. According to NTN, the Council’s “careful” decision to deny the request was made on the grounds of feedback. Although M4J was free to participate in 2024 and 2025, apparently, some people complained.

Perhaps the 2025 theme “AND THEY TOOK THE CITY” was too much for the Darwin City Council. It was based on Joshua 6:20 “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city”. Based on Joshua they prayed and shouted praise, to glorify the NAME OF JESUS, and in doing so they prayed for spiritual strongholds in the city to fall down flat. They prayed to take back the city for the LORD and give hope to the people of Darwin. As Jesus return draws near spiritual warfare is becoming more intense and it will only get worse.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” Matthew 24:9-10

The MARCH FOR JESUS is a worldwide event where Christians come together to celebrate and lift up the name of JESUS in their city. It’s a joyful walk filled with singing, prayer, and unity as believers publicly share their faith. This is a chance for people of all backgrounds and denominations to come together and show their love for Jesus in a way that brings hope and encouragement to the community.

NT’s governing Country Liberal Party Attorney General and minister for major events, Marie-Clare Boothby, seems to think so. She slammed the council’s call. In a short statement, Boothby said the decision “can only be described as un-Australian and it’s a decision that will outrage Territorians. “Christmas is all about celebrating faith and family and the very best of our community, and any move to ban anyone from taking part is completely unacceptable and against everything that Christmas stands for.”

Boothby added, “I strongly urge Council to reconsider its ridiculous decision.