The Cross Blog

Susan Greene Meets the Man With the Cross

2009-11-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

Susan Greene receives a lot of feedback from her readers because of the articles she writes. She had been condemned and judged by so many for doing her job as a journalist for the Denver Post.

In this article she describes her first encounter with Arthur Blessitt and his 12-foot cross. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"What's up?" I asked after he finally ended his conversation.
"Oh, just walking. Trying to keep a strong pace. Getting my heart rate up," he answered without mentioning the 45 pounds of redwood he had resting on his shoulder.
Arthur Blessitt went on to explain that he lives nearby in Lowry. As it happens, he has spent 41 years carrying his cross on all seven continents, 315 countries, island groups and territories. He has survived in 52 war zones, been hit by two cars and made the Guinness World Records for the "World's Longest Walk."
"Walking Lowry is a lot less challenging," he said. "I've spent a lifetime trying to reinterpret this cross around the world. It gets a bad rap. People get defensive. But what I'm saying is simple. That God loves me. He knows me. And he cares. People can stop and talk about that message. Or they can drive by."
Never in 40,000 miles has Blessitt, 69, shouted in judgment outside an abortion clinic. Never has he used his crucifix to block a gay-pride parade. And not once has he ever wished hellfire on a columnist.
I find that refreshing in a man with a giant cross.

Read the full story

The Cross Walk Timeline

2009-11-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

Today, we add another milestone to the cross walk's forty year timeline. The Cross film is now available on DVD! Go to The Cross Film website for more information.

Millions have prayed to receive Jesus as Savior and decided to follow Him. Hundreds of millions have seen the cross in person, on T.V., newspapers, magazines, or heard on radio world-wide. Today, you can purchase a DVD of this amazing story to share with your friends and loved ones. Give them out as gifts this holiday season and touch the hearts of your loved ones in a very special way!

Below is a summary of the milestones of the forty-year journey of faith.

Spring 1968	Made the cross and put on wall of "His Place". Carried the cross on short walks along Sunset Blvd.

Sep 1969	Jesus' call "Carry the cross on foot - identify My message in the highways, road-sides where the people are".

Dec 25, 1969	Began carrying the cross across America.

Aug 1971	Jesus' call "Carry the cross to other nations".

Sep 1, 1971	Began carrying the cross across England.

Feb 26, 1977	Arrived in Jerusalem with the cross "Lord, do I stop or go on?" I prayed on Mt. Sinai. Jesus said, "I've called you to the common man, with peasants of the world, to sweat, walk in the rain, smell exhaust fumes, sleep on the road. Go! I want you to go all the way".

Apr 2, 1979	The vision of the Glory of the Lord "Arthur, Proclaim the Glory of the coming of the Lord is at hand".

Jun 1981	At the "Iron Curtain" East Germany the Lord said, "There are no walls!"

Mar 31, 1988	Jesus said, "I want you to commit your life to carry the cross in every nation by the Year 2000!"

Jun 2, 1990	Denise and I vowed to God at our wedding to go in obedience to His call to carry the cross to every nation by the Year 2000 as Jesus so wills

Nov 1, 1993	God spoke "Pray for others, I will take care of you".

Dec 25, 1998	Walked back now Sunset Strip in Hollywood to the same place where the cross walk began 29 years ago!

Nov 2005	Carried the 12ft cross in 305 nations, 37,000 miles (59,544 km)

November 2006	Carried the cross a total of "1 & 1/2 times around the earth at the equator"

Jun 2008	Carried the Cross 38,102 miles, 61,319 km, 315 nations, island groups. Jesus did it! All glory to God. Completed very nation and major island group.

Mar 2009	Carried the cross to Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the opening of "The Cross" Movie!

NOV 10, 2009	The Cross film is now available in DVD.

Jesus and Mary's Walk

2009-11-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

It was not only Arthur Blessitt who walked to deliver God's message of love to the world. The original walkers for God were Jesus and His mother, Mary.

Mary walked a total of 12,187 miles:

4,080 Nazareth to Jerusalem and return. (Age 3 till 20)
390 While with Child.
25 From Bethlehem to Jerusalem twice.
350 Bethlehem to Egypt.
400 Egypt to Nazareth.
6,000 From Jesus age 5 till 30.

912 During the public ministry of Jesus.

Jesus walked a total of 21,525 miles:

400 miles: Jesus walked from Egypt to Nazareth.
18,000 miles: Jesus walked from Nazareth to Jerusalem And return by age 30.
3,125 miles: Jesus walked during His 3-year public Ministry.

Jesus and Mary walked because God spoke to them and gave them a mission. Their journey was the original walk of faith. Jesus bore the cross where he was later crucified as the ultimate gift of love from our Heavenly Father. Wow!

It is not how far they walked that is important, it is the message they shared with the world. God loves you and He gave His only Begotten Son so that you may have a place with Him in heaven.

This is the same message Arthur Blessitt shared on his cross walk almost 2000 years later - this modern day journey will be available on DVD starting November 10, 2009. For more information go to The Cross website.

Overcoming Obstacles: Arthur is Arrested

2009-10-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

Arthur Blessitt has been arrested and jailed 24 times during his crosswalk. He was not arrested for committing a crime. I'll let Arthur explain what happened to you.

Here is a video of Arthur Blessitt sharing the story of how he was arrested in Madrid.

Watch Arthur Blessitt's forty year journey of faith - taking up his cross and following Jesus! The Cross will be available on DVD starting November 10, 2009. For more information go to The Cross website.

Tips on Sharing Jesus With Others

2009-10-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Arthur Blessitt walked across every nation - not just Christian nations, but all nations. In the photo at the right is Arthur Blessitt with Yasser Arafat while in Beirut in 1980. He walked amidst people whose beliefs were vastly different from the Christian faith. And yet they were equally blessed by The Cross. How did he do it? How did he keep going even though he was arrested and almost faced a firing squad?

He endured because he believes in God's power to change lives.

Are you intimidated by the prospect of sharing Jesus with a stranger? Arthur has shared Jesus everywhere - with various types of people. He shares these six tips to remember when sharing Jesus with others or witnessing.

God can save anyone
God can save through anyone (you and me)
Be bold, loving, humble and enthusiastic
Witnessing is worth the sacrifice
God's power to save is worldwide, anyone, anytime, anyplace
Look for God's potential in every person

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." - Matthew 9:37-38.

Watch Arthur's amazing adventures as he shares Jesus with the world, The Cross will be available on DVD starting November 10, 2009. For more information go to The Cross website.

The Cross: Movie Trailer

2009-10-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the movie trailer of The Cross. An amazing forty year journey that touched the world with Jesus' love.

38,102 Miles, 315 Countries and Major Island groups, 40 Years and 1 Mission!

"And Jesus has been there every step of the way." - Arthur Blessitt

Feel free to share the video with friends. The Cross is available on DVD starting November 10, 2009. For more information go to The Cross website.

Meet the Birthday Boy: Arthur Turns 69

2009-10-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

Still curious about the man who walks for Jesus? Arthur Blessitt is turning 69 on October 27, 2009 and he spent 39 of those years carrying a 12-foot wooden cross on his shoulder while spreading Jesus' message of love throughout the world. Wow!

Happy birthday, Arthur! Smile, Jesus loves you!

Check out Arthur Blessitt's special appearances in the following programs:

October 29, 2009 - Matt & Laurie Crouch host Doctors' Night on TBN TV "Praise" live worldwide in Costa Mesa, CA.

November 6, 2009 - Inspire Women Conference at the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, TX at 6:30-10 PM

November 9, 2009 - "Celebration" on Daystar TV worldwide with a one-hour special on The Cross movie with Arthur and Matt Crouch

November 10, 2009 - "Praise" live worldwide on TBN for Dallas, TX with the special launching of The Cross DVD only at The Cross website

Who is Arthur Blessitt?

2009-10-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

In the 1960s Arthur Blessitt was known as the Minister of Sunset Strip. He had a coffee shop called His Place where he preached about Jesus to bikers, prostitutes and the other inhabitants of the infamous Los Angeles hang out.

After preaching one night God asked him to place a 12-foot cross on the wall of His Place. Arthur obeyed even though until that moment he did not have a special fondness for the symbol. But this was not the end of what God wanted Arthur to do with the cross.

At 5 AM one morning Jesus spoke to him and said, "Arthur, take the cross off the wall of your building, carry the cross on foot....identify my message on the highways, road-sides where the people are."

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1969, Arthur Blessitt started a walk that would take him to 315 countries, island groups and territories around the world while carrying a 12-foot wooden cross on his shoulder. He has walked through all seven continents, has been through 52 countries who were at war, was arrested 24 times and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the World’s Longest Walk having walked a total of 38,102 miles.

And as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Arthur Blessitt walks for Jesus and shares Jesus’ message of love to the world.

His amazing story is available on DVD starting November 10, 2009. Please go to The Cross Film’s website for more information.