ARTHUR BLESSITT-ONE MAN, ONE CROSS, ONE MISSION

Arthur Blessitt is on a continuing mission. His 38 years of carrying a cross are chronicled in his book, “The Cross”. “The Cross”, a feature film will open in theaters on March 27th.
CNN News and Time Magazine have reported Arthur’s travels. The Guinness Book of World Records verified thousands of miles walked, but only heaven has recorded countless names of those who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ along his trek around the world.
In the 1960’s, he was known to the Hell’s Angels, Black Panthers, hippies, and flower children of Hollywood, Ca, as the Minister of Sunset Strip.
At age 68, Arthur Blessitt does not suffer with ailments, soreness, or foot problems. He has never gotten sick from anything he has eaten or drank on his journey. He does however, bare physical marks from his mission. His right forearm has a scar from a guard dog attack at the border of Israel and Egypt. Baring the cross’s weight on his back over many miles has shaped the scapula bone of his right shoulder.
In his journal, Arthur recalls how the Lord Jesus spoke to him in 1969. “I want you to take the cross onto the roadsides and streets to identify My message with the common man. I am sending you to the world to bear witness of My life and My love, proclaiming My peace”.
Dottie Rambo’s gospel song “I will Glory in the Cross” was inspired by Arthur’s message and travels.
Starting Christmas Day 1969, Blessitt has carried a cross on every continent through 315 countries and major island groups-a total of 38,102 miles-including Antarctica. That distance is equal to 1 ½ times around the circumference of the equator, or over 76 million footsteps as of Aug.8, 2008.
Arthur Blessitt has spoken with several world leaders and individuals of every social and economic group. He has survived 52 wars, firing squads, beatings, and deadly jungles. His calling has been confirmed in his ability to gain access to take a cross to the world’s most unreachable of places.
In 1979, he walked through the Darien Gap of Central America. Few experienced outdoorsmen have made it through the stretch of treacherous jungle connecting Panama and Columbia. Arthur Blessitt made it through lugging a 12 ft., 45 lb., wooden cross!
In 1982, he marched alone through five fighting armies in West Beirut, Lebanon in order to pray with Yassir Arafat. This entire walk was captured live by CNN reporter Peter Arnet. One thing I find striking in Arthur’s story is the role his family had in shaping his destiny. When Arthur was age 7 yrs., an evangelist preached during a revival meeting under a brush arbor. The evangelist invited all for a prayer of commitment to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and salvation. Arthur wanted to respond, but his mother held him back saying he was too young.
On the drive home, Arthur kept pleading, until his father turned the car around. Standing under a single light, Arthur surrendered his life to Jesus as the evangelist knelt beside him in the dirt.
Arthur’s family nurtured him as he responded to the message of Jesus Christ . At age 15, Arthur publicly declared his calling to preach the gospel. He learned then, that his father and grandfather, each at age 15, had both felt God’s call to preach. But, they did not go.
Arthur’s father prayed that Arthur receive a double blessing making up for what he himself did not do.
Arthur told his grandfather “Grandpa, You've got to pray for me three times as much, because daddy didn't preach either!"
Arthur Blessitt’s journey around the world is truly a fascinating story. The story of his early days, and what put him “out on the road” is equally incredible.
My prayer is: that parents pray with and for their children, encouraging them in beginning steps of faith in Christ-even if children do not seem to comprehend everything taught. I applaud children’s ministry workers in the spiritual battlefield for young hearts. There are crucial pivot points of decision, and tender moments of openness to God that may not come again.
God rewards faith; He builds on knowledge and understanding directed to Him.
It is chilling to think what could have happened on that night Arthur wanted to commit himself to Christ. If his father had not turned the truck around to go back, would Arthur have remained open to the God’s call? Would he have continued to pursue God then, or waited until he was older? Or rejected God because he was “too young”, or felt unworthy to be accepted?
Arthur’s father did turn the truck around! Lives have been forever changed worldwide.
Share Arthur Blessitt’s story from his Media Library link. Go see “The Cross” movie. http://www.blessitt.com/