Jan. 1 has been declared "Amazing Love of God Day" in Louisiana by Gov. John Bel Edwards, a local minister said.
"We're just declaring that God's love is amazing," said Mardia Scott, pastor of Law of Life Ministries International. "It's not about people agreeing with it, but it's about us declaring it. … The governor of the state of Louisiana agrees with us that God's love is amazing."
Scott will host a celebration of the day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday at the 70805 Conversion Center, 5339 Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge.
Scott, 47, displayed a commendation from Edwards recognizing the day and urged people to wear "God's Love is Amazing" T-shirts that Scott has handed out at various events. Scott is asking people to post pictures wearing their shirts on social media; those with the most views and comments will receive prizes, including a 75-inch TV, iPad, iPhone and Apple watch.
The "Love is Amazing" movement bore out of Scott's 2019 hit musical video "Amazing," which quickly went viral with more than 2.8 million views, Scott said.
Since 2020, Scott said shirts have been distributed to more than 23,000 inmates upon their release.
"We help ministries all over the world, but most of all, we help prevent youth from going to prison," Scott said. "We try to help their children from taking those same paths. We call it prison prevention."
For more information, call (225) 284-6398.