Arthur Blessitt, an evangelist who famously carried a big cross over all seven continents and earned the Guinness World Record for longest pilgrimage, has died on the age of 84.
A post on his Facebook page, written in the primary person, announced that Blessitt passed away on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Denise, seven children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“Thank you to all who’ve loved and helped me and this ministry take the message of Jesus and the cross to the world,” stated the post. “Thanks to all of you that I met along the best way of my life and crosswalk.”
“For the love, food, drink and welcome from the cities to the jungles and wars and deserts. You welcomed the cross and this walking pilgrim. I leave considering of you all. True treasures. Great due to you who’ve supported us along with your gifts of funds. You have been a significant a part of my life and this mission as you covered us with prayer and support.”
According to the announcement, Blessitt requested “that there be no funeral or memorial service for me,” adding that the “best thing you would do could be to exit and lead yet another soul to be saved.”
Matt and Laurie Crouch of Trinity Broadcasting Network, which produced a movie about Blessitt’s carrying of a cross throughout the world, released a statement giving their condolences.
“His legacy isn’t within the estimated 86 million footsteps he took but within the countless hearts he modified, the lives he touched, and the love he tirelessly spread,” stated the Crouches.
“How do you reside a lifetime of purpose and destiny? Arthur would answer, ‘One step at a time!’ This seems much more appropriate as he has taken his final step into the arms of Jesus!”
Born in October 1940, Blessitt got here to faith when he was 7 years old, preached his first sermon at age 15, and was ordained a minister when he was 20.
Blessitt is best known for carrying a 12-foot-tall cross world wide and preaching the Gospel at quite a few locations, having reportedly walked with the religion symbol throughout virtually every sovereign nation on earth.
In April 2013, Guinness recognized Blessitt as having “the best distance claimed for a ‘around the world’ pilgrimage,” having walked 40,235 miles starting on Christmas 1969.
“Arthur is some of the humble, kind, warm and alluring evangelists I even have ever met,” wrote Greg Stier, founder and leader of Dare 2 Share Ministries International, in 2017.
“He has shared the Gospel with politicians like George Bush, leaders like Yasser Arafat and musicians like Bob Dylan and Jannis Joplin. … He has been hit by a automobile while carrying a cross, worn out countless shoes and seen a tremendous number of individuals come to Christ (he stopped counting a protracted time ago).”
