The Mend Mark – Information, Interview and Giveaway

Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison. The Mend Mark tells a powerful story in two words.

The Mend Mark is an innovative and distinctive bracelet that is designed to reflect the scars and nail holes of Jesus. When worn, the band resembles the deep holes of the nail driven into the wrists of Jesus during his crucifixion. By bringing the story of Jesus’ life and death to constant awareness by wearing a bracelet, Mend Mark is meant to powerfully remind wearers of the ultimate act of love Jesus made for all of humankind. 

Here is a video explaining the concept:



Harrison’s mission is to remind all to remember Christ’s love in both his life and death. But more than only a poignant recollection, the Mend Mark is meant to inspire and motivate wearers to live a life of service. Harrison strives to bring people together around the simplicity and power of love as lived by Jesus. But this is no example of passive love. The Mend Mark calls individuals in all walks of life to love with a profound sincerity and commitment great enough to change a neighborhood, a community, a world.

Harrison leads this call to love and sacrifice by example and joins hands with each Mend Mark bracelet purchaser to take the first step in global change. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to support Living Water International, an organization combating the clean water crisis victimizing over one billion people worldwide. Each $5,000 given will result in one well drilled, providing a community with clean water.

But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”

Launched in late 2009 after a year and a half of packaging, material, and design development by Harrison, the bracelet has been sold across the United States, Canada, and the UK and has been featured in retail stores as well.

The Mend Mark bracelet movement has grown to further fame after being worn during performances by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, Idol runner up Siobhan Magnus, Decifer Down, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Pillar, and Finding Favour, to name a few. Says Harrison, “I want it to be more than just another bracelet; I want it to represent a movement.” Based on the way things are going, a movement is exactly what it is becoming.

Q & A With Hunter Harrison, Creator of the Mend Mark

Q: How did you arrive at the idea for the Mend Mark? Why a bracelet? 

A: I always thought about getting a tattoo. I still haven’t, but tattoo designs frequently cross my mind, and if I ever got one I would want it to be meaningful. On one particular day, I had the idea of getting two circles tattooed on my wrist to resemble a hole. But not just any hole—the hole that killed a king. The more and more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that nowadays EVERYONE has a tattoo and it would almost be rebellious NOT to get one (I guess you could consider me a reverse rebel). So I decided to do something a little different, something that would reach many more people than just some ink on my wrist. I took the idea and designed a bracelet instead, and consequently, the Mend Mark idea was born.

Q: At first glance Mend Mark seems like a nebulous name. What does it mean?

A: I’ve always liked the word “mend” and I feel like it’s underused. So it was an easy decision to incorporate that into the name. It fit the product purpose, and since it was representing one of the marks of Jesus, Mend Mark was an obvious choice. Plus it had a nice ring to it and with tattoo roots it seemed natural to call it that. I wanted it to be more than just another bracelet or wristband. I wanted it to represent a movement. So the “Mend Mark” it became.

Q: What are you hoping will be accomplished through the wearing of the Mend Mark bracelet and through the Mend Mark movement?

A: There are three main things I want to be accomplished. First is that I wanted people to remember the sacrifice. I wanted to unite people—Christians (no matter the denomination) and even people of other worldviews—on one common message: LOVE. The love that Christ preached in particular. With so many books out there and theological debates on who’s right and who’s wrong, sometimes we forget the simplicity of Christ’s main message: LOVE. I figured that no matter what one believes, they can’t deny that selfless love can change the world… and sometimes we need a reminder of that. So I coined the phrase “Remember Love” to be printed on the bracelet. The second thing is that I wanted people to emulate the emotion. I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them. I felt that if this was done properly it could force people into intentional situations where they were able to demonstrate their faith. If I was a non-believer and I saw someone wearing an obvious Christian product, I doubt I would ask that person about it because I would already know what they were going to say. But, if I saw this, I would want to know what it was. It sparks curiosity… and in turn that curiosity may open some doors for people to share the love of Christ with others. Finally, I wanted it to inspire people to change the world around them. I decided to find a cause to support through the sales of the bracelet. There was no reason for me to keep all the profits for myself. I wanted to be able to give back and share the proceeds somehow. I researched and prayed and petitioned God on what ministry to support and God led me to Living Water International. I knew I wanted to help fight malnourishment in one way or another and providing “Living Water” seemed to fit the purpose of the product—using “love” to mend. That’s what it’s all about and this product allows that to happen on a global scale.

Q: Where did the inspiration to create the Mend Mark come from?

A: My mother was the most influential person in my life. She raised me on her own, even homeschooled me in high school, and I think that extra time with her really impacted me. She passed away from cancer in 2007, but she always told me I would do great things. My wife, Morgan, has been extremely instrumental in encouraging me to take those words from my mom to heart and make them a reality. Morgan motivates me like no one else can and has been a tremendous source of love and support throughout the entire process.

Then my work in banking inspired me. All day long I am helping people achieve their dreams getting businesses and ideas started. I wanted to get out there and start doing something myself. But I wanted it to be meaningful. Since my son was born two years ago, he’s given me an added motivation to do something bigger than myself, something that will somehow leave a legacy behind.

Q: The Mend Mark is certainly growing as a movement. It’s even been worn by celebrities. What’s next for the Mend Mark?

A: The Mend Mark isn’t the first idea I’ve tried to get off the ground. It definitely won’t be the last either. By far, it’s been the most fun and the most successful, and the one I’ve been most passionate about. I’m currently working on additional product designs as well as T-shirts that will go along with the original Mend Mark purpose. The future is bright and I can’t wait to see where God takes it.

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I really love the concept of this bracelet. It has a unique look and will be accepted by all ages. This would make a great gift for Christmas!

These bracelets, as well as the content and interview, were provided by the B & B Media Group for giveaway and promotional purposes.

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I have one of these unique bracelets that I would love to send along to one of you! 

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me what how you’d explain this bracelet to someone who asked about it, or telling me who you’d give this bracelets to, if you don’t wear it yourself! Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.  

2) Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/andrealschultz); I will more than likely follow you back! If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend (www.facebook.com/andrealschultz). Please leave a new comment 
to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter! Please limit one entry per option, and please include your email address, or, sad to say, the Random Number Generator will have to choose a different winner.

This giveaway is for U.S. only. The deadline for entry is Friday, November 19, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator (www.random.org) on Saturday, November 20, 2010 and will be contacted via email. The best to all of you!

‘Eats with Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did’ by Arron Chambers - Book Review

Jesus gave us this command in Matthew 28:18-19: “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."

Arron Chambers is the senior pastor of Journey Christian Church in Greeley, Colorado.  He lives out this command.  His life goal is: “To go to Heaven and take as many people with me as possible!” 

His latest book, ‘Eat with Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did’ provides us with a biblical model for evangelism that was exemplified by Jesus.  In His day, sharing a meal with someone meant that were acknowledged as an equal.  It was an act of intimacy, as pointed out by Pastor Chambers.  The Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, regularly were outraged at Jesus for the company He kept.  The Hebrew word for Pharisees is ‘set apart’ – and they lived that out, judging others and placing themselves above – and apart from - the crowd.  Jesus set out to point out the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of these rules followers.  The first rule for Jesus is found in Matthew 28:36-40, in response to a question from a Pharisee: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:   "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Pastor Chambers points out the fact that “Jesus eagerly ate with sinners on earth because he longed to eat with them in heaven.  Jesus referred to himself as the bridegroom (Luke 5:34,35) putting on a great banquet meal (Luke 12:36; 14:13, 16, 17, 24) that one day he will eat in the kingdom of Heaven with everyone who accepts his invitation” (p. 13).

 ‘Eats with Sinners’ gives us thirteen ingredients (in the form of chapters) that Jesus used in His recipe to reach lost people.  The list is integrity, accessibility, grace, faith, intimacy, tolerance, resolve, urgency, mercy, humility, investment, joy, and vision.     

In the chapter on Urgency, Arron has this to say:

“The sun is shining.  The harvest is ready…. We must – with a sense of urgency – work to bring the harvest in…. The Mennonites have a saying: ‘We are living in the time of God’s patience.’  God is patiently waiting for us to open our eyes, to notice that the harvest is ready, and to help him bring it in before it’s too late.” (p. 131)

‘Eats with Sinners’  is reaching me at a time when the Lord is showing me time and time again in a myriad of ways how much He loves us.  I have the tendency to judge and criticize others, and not extend the compassion and love as the Lord expects.  As Christians, we can also fall into a Christian clique in which we rarely connect with or interact with non-Christians.  Jesus met with sinner on a regular basis.  We need to remember that we are sinners saved by grace, and that we need to not forget from whence we came.   Jesus loved, and we need to remember to do the same.  I appreciate the methods that Arron gives us in order to get to – or back to – the way Jesus lived His life while walking among us.  The book is provocative and heartwarming, while also very entertaining (and funny in spots).  Arron provides some wonderful anecdotes and real-life examples from himself and others.  He also provides some tasty-sounding recipes that you can prepare for your meals with those who do not yet know Him (and those who do!) – including Darkness to Light Cookies, Compassion Chicken Soup, Friendship Chocolate Pie, and What a Catch Fish Packets.    

This is a great book for individual study or small group study.   Each chapter includes a Meal Plan – questions for personal or group study, as well as a Meal Plan, in which you set up a meal with someone with the objective of building a stronger relationship and focusing on each of the ingredients used by Jesus.  This book, if employed, will add to and build up the Kingdom of God – and isn’t that one big reason why we’re here?!  

Other books by Arron are:

‘Running on Empty: Life Lessons to Refuel Your Faith’

‘Scripture to Live By: True Stories Inspired by the Word of God’

‘Remember Who You Are: Unleashing the Power of an Identity- Driven Life’

‘Go! From Studio Audience to Center Stage’

'Eats with Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did' was provided to me by Standard Publishing for review purposes.  There was no other remuneration, and the opinions and thoughts are mine alone.