CROSS- CARRYING EVANGELIST CONTINUES HIS WALK ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

Irish-born evangelist John Edwards has just completed the third week of his walk across America.

His “Crosswalk USA 2005” started at the Santa Monica, Ca. Pier at 9:30 AM (Pacific Time) April 5 and is scheduled to end in New York on May 13.

Prior to beginning the trek, Edwards, 50, told the Assist News Service, “There is a team of eight of us and we will be walking and cycling for 120 miles a day between us all the way across America – via Phoenix, Arizona, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia and up to New York. We hope to finish in New York on May 13, and we will be carrying an 11 foot wooden cross with a wheel on the end. We will preach the Gospel as we go across the nation. The aim of the walk is to bring hope to the addicted and their families, and also to preach the Gospel to the lost and whoever we happen to come across along the way.”

In a recent telephone interview from Memphis, Tenn., Edwards said everything is continuing to go well.

“One of the highlights was when we were down in Oklahoma,” Edwards said, “and we met some people ministering to Native Americans … and they invited us to pray down at their church …. It was just a tremendous time when the presence of God came.”

Edwards added that one of the individuals to whom he ministered was slated to be in Washington D.C. the day after the meeting, to meet with some U.S. Senators on behalf of the Indian Nation.

“It just happened we were there at the right time to pray,” Edwards said.

God also moved for Edwards and his team while they were recently in Arkansas, Edwards said. Team members stayed in an RV park.

“While we were there we met two Indian men who are working in the oil fields,” Edwards said. “We invited them to our RV for dinner, which they appreciated. One was an ex- Teen Challenge student who had backslidden and … we were able to pray with him. He recommitted (his life to the Lord), and the other one was forced to think (about his condition before the Lord).”

That wasn’t the only positive experience Edwards had while in Arkansas.

“I met a guy on the side of the road about two days ago in Hazen,”(Ark.), Edwards said. “He was addicted to meth and alcohol. His wife had died recently, (and since that time) he had lost everything. His health and his whole life were in a mess. When I met him, he said it was the first time he had met anyone who understood him.”

Edwards said, “I shared the gospel with him in a way he could relate to, prayed with him and he became a Christian.”

Edwards referred the new believer to First Baptist Church of Hazen, and explained the way he felt the Lord had moved in that situation.

“On Sunday night we had been at (Hazen) First Baptist Church, and we were asked to speak to the church leadership about how to reach out to the lost and the addicted.”

Following Edwards’ talk, some members of the congregations made a decision to put into practice what they had learned from Edwards, and soon after they got their first referral –from Edwards.

Edwards said he has a challenge for other Christians.

“Get involved in church outreach programs, and if your church doesn’t have one, start one or get one,” Edwards said. “(Begin an outreach) to the homeless, businessmen or whoever you can reach out to. Be yourself, and take a step of faith and share the gospel with whoever you run into.”

While in Tennessee, Edwards is taking somewhat of a rest – but it’s really more of a change in pace. Edwards described a recent “rest” day.

“(I have been) on the Internet working on the web site, and writing letters to people like President Bush. I told President Bush I would like to meet with him. I (want to let the White House know that) people from Europe have been praying for them.”

Edwards said he has also written a letter to the White House and enclosed a copy of his autobiography (www.walkingfree.org/store/description.php?id=7). He said he hopes to get a reply soon.

Prayer continues to be a vital factor in the work being undertaken by him and his team, Edwards said. He asked that people pray for him, his wife and team members. Special needs, he said, include their vehicles as well as the need for “divine appointments.”

He added, “Please pray that we will be able to get into the White House and speak to President Bush. Also, that the church in America will rise up and reach out to the lost and addicted. People out there … desperately need to hear the gospel.”

For additional information about Edwards and his walk and to learn how to support his ministry, go to www.walkingfree.org or www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05040013.htm

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