Arthur Blessitt was a minister on the the Sunset Strip in Hollywood when he heard the call of God to carry a life-sized cross to all nations. This remarkable narrative is an account of his journey over 38 000 miles and across all seven continents. Reading The Cross book is inspirational for all, regardless of their religious views.
His journey began in 1969 in America and ended in Zanzibar in 2008. When he is asked how he accomplished this incredible journey, he answers that he did it one step at a time. The first chapter of his book is all about breaking down what appears impossible into small steps and taking the first step. His efforts were recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 1996.
Using short examples from his travels, the reader experiences how he faced each obstacle in his path with faith and managed to survive. This is not just a travelogue although he walks through jungles, deserts, swamps and over mountains. It is the story of someone in fearless pursuit of a mission. Instead of a chronological approach, chapters deal with specific themes, contributing to the impact of this message of faith.
Blessitt talks about hearing God from a young age. In responding to this call of God, he found that carrying this universal symbol of the love of God broke down any barriers of culture and language. He talked to many people individually and preached to huge crowds on occasion. His mission was never about exploits but about the people he met.
He experienced many important historical periods in the course of his travels. He aided refugees flooding into Jordan from Kuwait prior to the first Gulf War. He was amongst the first people to go to East Germany after the Berlin wall came down. He spent time in South Africa prior to the demise of apartheid.
Yasser Arafat was just one of the leaders he prayed with in his travels, walking through fighting armies to reach him in besieged West Beirut. He also went to the Vatican to meet the Pope. Although he had audiences with many presidents and kings, he was just as concerned about speaking to peasants and indigenous tribes he encountered along the way.
On his journey he experienced many difficulties and survived them all. Once he was beaten and jailed along with a group of Spanish pastors under the fascist regime of Franco. He faced death when IRA gunmen in Belfast threatened to nail him to his cross. He crossed mountains, impenetrable jungles and swamps and was threatened by wild animals.
The Cross book contains many photographs illustrating his journey. The handwriting font used at times contributes to the feeling of reading a journal. If you enjoy reading about ordinary men accomplishing extraordinary feats, this story will appeal to you. This inspiring narrative is an encouragement to those who are on their own journey of faith.
His journey began in 1969 in America and ended in Zanzibar in 2008. When he is asked how he accomplished this incredible journey, he answers that he did it one step at a time. The first chapter of his book is all about breaking down what appears impossible into small steps and taking the first step. His efforts were recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 1996.
Using short examples from his travels, the reader experiences how he faced each obstacle in his path with faith and managed to survive. This is not just a travelogue although he walks through jungles, deserts, swamps and over mountains. It is the story of someone in fearless pursuit of a mission. Instead of a chronological approach, chapters deal with specific themes, contributing to the impact of this message of faith.
Blessitt talks about hearing God from a young age. In responding to this call of God, he found that carrying this universal symbol of the love of God broke down any barriers of culture and language. He talked to many people individually and preached to huge crowds on occasion. His mission was never about exploits but about the people he met.
He experienced many important historical periods in the course of his travels. He aided refugees flooding into Jordan from Kuwait prior to the first Gulf War. He was amongst the first people to go to East Germany after the Berlin wall came down. He spent time in South Africa prior to the demise of apartheid.
Yasser Arafat was just one of the leaders he prayed with in his travels, walking through fighting armies to reach him in besieged West Beirut. He also went to the Vatican to meet the Pope. Although he had audiences with many presidents and kings, he was just as concerned about speaking to peasants and indigenous tribes he encountered along the way.
On his journey he experienced many difficulties and survived them all. Once he was beaten and jailed along with a group of Spanish pastors under the fascist regime of Franco. He faced death when IRA gunmen in Belfast threatened to nail him to his cross. He crossed mountains, impenetrable jungles and swamps and was threatened by wild animals.
The Cross book contains many photographs illustrating his journey. The handwriting font used at times contributes to the feeling of reading a journal. If you enjoy reading about ordinary men accomplishing extraordinary feats, this story will appeal to you. This inspiring narrative is an encouragement to those who are on their own journey of faith.
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