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Man spreads Christian message through cross country walk
Published Monday, December 22, 2008
Photo by Holli Keaton
Chuck Johnson, of California, spends every day carrying a wooden cross around the country to spread a Christian message. Monday, he made his way into Troy, where he said he was greeted with open arms by many local residents.
As people around the Christmas tree this holiday season to share present and fellowship, there is one man who will be celebrating in a whole different way — carrying a cross.
It may not be the typical symbol for this season of the year, but for Chuck Johnson, it’s just what he does every day.
Known by some as “Cross carrying Chuck,” Johnson has been traveling across the country for almost nine years with a cross to spread a Christian message.
“I do it just to keep the message that people need Jesus in their lives,” Johnson said.
In 1987, Johnson said he first received the message to carry the cross after he was baptized under water.
And since March of 2000, Johnson said there have been very few days that go by where he isn’t carrying a cross somewhere in America.
After receiving a vision, Johnson set off without food, money or transportation, and since, he has traveled across the country 11 times.
“God always provides,” Johnson said.
Johnson, of California, said he spent the day in Troy Monday, and he was to his surprise quite welcomed.
“It’s amazing to me because the hardest times I usually have is during the holidays,” Johnson said. “But, since I’ve been here I’ve had about five people stop just to tell me hello.”
Even on his stop in Troy, Johnson was donated a coat from Wal-Mart and a meal from a local resident.
Johnson said it’s not always easy to follow his mission, but it is one worth it to him. Usually, he sleeps outside, but he said God takes care of him even in the struggle.
This Christmas season, Johnson said the message he is looking to spread is one of Christian baptism.
“Go get baptized in his name,” Johnson said.
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Comments
Posted by yatta (anonymous) on December 22, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is what it is all about people! He went out with full commitment and did not know what to expect! He has survived only by the blessings given to him. WOW! How many of us can even imagine doing the same?
Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not only "how many of us can even imagine doing the same", but take a look in our homes and around us. Most reading this comment would have to admit that we have much more than we deserve.
Posted by letmesee (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bless you Chuck for what you do!
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God BLESS you, Chuck!
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If we all did this, nobody would be left to provide food and coats. The real heros are those who have and give to those who have nothing. God bless them.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Salvation is the greatest gift. Seems to me he has his salvation and wants to share it with others that they may have it as well.
Posted by elvis2 (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
regis , in the Spirit of this Christmas season I think you have lost sight of it . It is absurd that we would all do what Chuck is doing but for him and the others who do so may they be blessed and I pray he has a most wonderful Christmas wherever he is .
Peace be with you and I wish you and your family a joyous Christmas .
Posted by alabamaboi (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree his message is a great thing. But I sure hope people are not donating money to this guy for his journey as I saw him in a local Troy restaurant downing Long Island Ice Teas...... I bet his message was so much more intense and exagerated once he had a "few" in his system! Did Jesus turn water into wine or Long Islands?
Posted by yatta (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
alabamaboi - you are just a sick person on so many levels. Here's your sign - Proverbs 30:2
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, to me Christmas is a time of the celebration of life and the brotherhood of man: a time to be with family and give to those who are less fortunate. But I may be wrong. I probably should go to church and learn more about what Jesus actually wanted us to do.
Alabamaboi may have been joking, but you people don't know this Cross carrying guy from Adam. Nobody seems to know anything about him. One newspaper asked him about his past and his family. He said he was not married, had no kids, his parents were dead and then he cut the interview short and walked off.
Also, if this were a black guy with dreadlocks carrying a cross spreading the word instead of handsome white guy, I am gonna go out on a limb and bet people in this town would not be quite as receptive.
Eh, but what do I know? Merry Christmas y'all.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/051308...
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Getting baptized is great, but getting saved is better.
Posted by MessengerReader23 (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, let us all now take time to praise this wandering religious hobo. What a wonderful message he brings to our town, and so many other small towns across the nation. His inspirational demonstration of homelessness and dependency should lift our hearts and encourage us to support ideologues and crazed loners everywhere.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If we ALL did this, we would all be dead within a few weeks from starvation and exposure.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On the upside, we would be in heaven.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, if ya'll want to take up the cause and wonder aimlessly across the country eating out of trash cans and saving souls, have at it. I'm going to stay here in my double wide, order Domino's, have a few PBR's, listen to some CDB and watch the Tide bowl on the new big screen.
I will still continue to give to those in need. And I also still believe in Jesus. And, according to the preacherman the last time I talked to him, that is pretty much all it takes to get to heaven. See y'all there!
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course, the last time I talked to the preacherman, we were drinking long island iced teas at a local restaurant.
Posted by yatta (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What does a long island tea have to do with believing in God?
Posted by regis (anonymous) on December 24, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's what I asked the preacher and he just kept on saying, "Have another. You'll get there." He was right. The next day, all I could do was pray, "Oh God, please...have mercy...please...I'll do anything Lord, just make it stop."
Posted by alabamaboi (anonymous) on December 25, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The point I was making is Im not going to donate my hard earned money to a man traveling about the country proclaiming to be a messenger from God if hes going to take that money and spend it on BOOZE!!!! So Yatta take take a chill pill! Im not a sick person just making people realize hes not what he proclaims to be!!!!!
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