Texas Teen Walking a 12-Foot Cross to DC

Aimee Herd : Jun 18, 2012
DFW-CBS Local

"July 24, 2011. I remember looking up to Heaven saying, 'I'm Yours.' That day, I decided to take up my cross. And I felt so strong in my heart. And I felt Him tell me where to go and how to go. And that's where we're going—Washington, D.C.

(Fort Worth, TX)—If you're driving along a route from Texas toward the nation's capital, you just might catch sight of someone else making the trek in an unusual way.

Nineteen-year-old Junior Garcia, who plans to become a physician's assistant, felt led to take Jesus' words literally—picking up a 12-foot cross—and walking from his home state of Texas all the way to Washington, DC: 1,369 miles.

The idea had reportedly been brewing since last summer at his church's youth group, when the Lord began to get his attention.

"Oh, man, I was going through so much in my life and really searching to see what God had for me, His call on my life, Garcia shared with local news station CBS DFW. "I just felt that separation from Him and felt like it was just time to get rid of worldly desires and focus on Him.

Recalling his day of decision, Garcia said, "July 24, 2011. I remember looking up to Heaven saying, 'I'm Yours.' That day, I decided to take up my cross. And I felt so strong in my heart. And I felt Him tell me where to go and how to go. And that's where we're going—Washington, D.C.

The Lake Worth High School graduate hopes to arrive in front of the White House for prayer on July 13th.

His walk is accomplishing more than one purpose; he is raising money in doing so for "Speed the Light, an Assembly of God program that buys cars for missionaries. Garcia says his main purpose for the "cross-walk is his "way of showing [everyone who sees him that] Jesus Christ wants a personal relationship with every single one of them.

Of course, the idea to carry a huge cross over the expanse of nations is not original with Garcia; Arthur Blessitt, who began to carry his cross back in 1968, has walked over 39,943 miles, through 319 countries and major island groups, and continues to do so.

What does Blessitt, now 72, think of what Garcia is doing?

According to CBS Dallas, Blessitt calls Garcia a "wonderful young man.

To learn more about Junior Garcia's walk, CLICK HERE: