Arthur Blessit is perhaps one of the only people in the world to have literally walked the face of the earth to spread the gospel to foreign lands.
Inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the "World's Longest Walk," Arthur reached 41,000 miles carrying a 12 foot cross. The 73 year old has traveled on foot through 323 nation and major island groups, walked 82 million steps, and carried a total of 18 ½ billion pounds-all for the glory of God.
"Some people laugh when they see me carrying the cross down the street," Arthur explains. "They yell, "Hey! You're a nut!" I just say, "At least I'm screwed on the right bolt!...You know, Jesus did it."
When explaining why he does it, Arthur simply says, "I love Jesus and I love people." During his historic walk, he has met with kings, presidents, and peasants, been jailed 24 times and traveled through 52 wars, lifting up the cross as a symbol of peace amidst the violence.
"All too often religion has caused the cross to become a symbol of conflict around the world," says Arthur, "but it's part of my life's mission...to reinterpret the meaning of the cross for people so they can see that the cross is not something that's against them, it's the ultimate symbol that says God loves you no matter what."
Driving alongside him are his wife Denise and 10 year old daughter Sophia, who carry supplies as they travel.
The first cross Arthur made was in 1968 in Hollywood, CA, to put on the wall of Jesus coffee house, "His Place," and began walking on Christmas day in 1969. Currently, he carries his fourth cross, touching millions of lives around the world as he walks to share the love of Jesus-and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
"The road is home and the peoples of the world feel like my family," Arthur says.
In 2010, film director Matthew Crouch was captivated by Arthur's story, deciding to make it into a critically acclaimed movie titled "The Cross: The Arthur Blessit Story," which was released nationally.
"I wanted to explore exactly what it is that drives a man like this," Crouch told Charisma News.
This guy's in the Guinness Book of World Records! Is he just a nut, maybe some crazed fanatic or something else? Maybe some Old Testament prophet come back to walk the earth!"
But to Arthur, there is no question as to what drives him.
"I have lived and seen the great needs of the world, but I'm filled with hope!" Arthur says. "There is an answer...Jesus! To know Him and follow Him and love one another. All glory to God! God bless you."
