Why are people hiding mini Jesus? Reasons Christians are placing tiny Jesus everywhere.
Curious why people hide mini Jesus on grocery store shelves, gas station pumps, and public benches?
It’s a viral trend among Christians that is gaining momentum as we near Easter this spring.
Churches, youth groups, families, and others joined in around the country — and the world!
So .. why are people hiding mini Jesus?
Simply stated: As a quiet and unexpected reminder that Jesus loves you!
➡️ Keep reading to learn more about the motivation and reasons Christians are joining the mini Jesus challenge.
Christian author Mackenzie Ryan Walters discovered a mini Jesus and wanted to learn more. She’s writing a series about the tiny Jesus trend.
Why are people hiding mini Jesus figurines in random places?
Christians are jumping on a viral online trend to “hide” tiny Jesus figurines in unexpected and ordinary places as an expression of love and faith.
Here’s the motivation to hide tiny Jesus:
Expression of faith: Christians believe Jesus loves all people, including you, and wants to share their faith — even in unexpected and playful ways.
Unexpected encouragement: By placing these mini Jesus toys in unexpected places, Christians hope they prompt someone to smile, remember God loves them, or to reach out and pray.
A fun family activity: Parents are encouraging their kids to share their faith when they go shopping or visit other spaces by “hiding” them behind cereal boxes or books.
Quiet evangelism: Sharing the love of Jesus with people who discover the toy figures. Some are calling it “Mini Jesus Evangelism” — they place a note nearby that says “Jesus loves you!” or “A little Jesus goes a long way!”
Church encouragement: Some churches have hidden tiny Jesus around their buildings (a popular kids' activity) and encouraged the generations to find them and rehide them elsewhere.
To share faith and encouragement online. Many love seeing where people have found the tiny Jesus figurines on their social media feed.
If you enjoy “spotting” little Jesus online, you can even join a dedicated Facebook group.
Pastor insights on the mini Jesus trend
Churches have used the small Jesus figurines to bridge generations and have a little fun.
“The kids put them all around the church for folks to find, and the idea of it is ‘A little Jesus goes a long way’ because everybody needs a little Jesus,” a North Carolina pastor told the local press.
With so many little hands involved, it didn’t take long for the church to go through the first batch — and the second — even though they ordered a few hundred at a time.
They’re motivated to share their faith through this fun outreach effort, which some are calling “mini Jesus evangelism.”
“It has been a very big hit,” the pastor said. “Since then, we have a total of 600 that have gone out.”
Some pastors are encouraging the fun with theological reminders, such as “genuinely embracing all of Jesus,” not just a little bit of him.
“Jesus continues to pop up everywhere I turn, which isn’t a bad thing,” Pastor David Yarboro wrote.
“I welcome Jesus to pop up in my life continually.”
What may have started inside the church walls has since moved into retail stores, gas stations, libraries, and other public spots.
‘Hiding Jesus’ is a fun, kid-friendly activity
Many Christians hope the tiny Jesus reminders bring whoever discovers them closer to God.
An Alabama woman who joined the trend described it this way:
“All you have to do is close your eyes and pray. He’s always there. Even if you haven’t spoken to (Jesus) in a while — or ever — he’s waiting.”
Families says it’s a positive activity to do with kids. Parents will ask their children to hide mini Jesus while doing their weekly shopping or errands.
Last spring, one Maryland family hid 150 figurines around their community and challenged others to find them.
The mom posted photos on her social media account with clues.
One of my friends always have a few in her purse - placing them with her kids has brightened her day, and she hopes it encourages others who find them, too.
“We bought 100 off Amazon, and we hide them when we go places!” she told me.
➡️ Inspired to join in? Here’s how to join the viral mini Jesus trend.
Christian testimonies, resources, and more
Read more about the mini Jesus hiding challenge:
➡️ What is the viral mini Jesus hiding trend?
➡️ How to join the tiny Jesus hiding challenge
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➡️ Are the Sedona Vortexes real? A Christian perspective
➡️ ‘Wake Up Dead Man:’ Christian faith vs. religious wolves
➡️ How to do a daily devotion with a busy schedule
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign, been inside NASA, and reported on education and schools, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.
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