The Cross

I joined my mentor, Wade for the first time in carrying the cross locally in Dallas, Texas, then on a trip over a span of 3 days carrying from Dallas to Fort Worth, and lastly, on a trip to New York City.

I joined Wade in carrying locally in Dallas, not much happened that day. We had a handful on conversations and carried the cross 9.23 miles. It was a long day, no one gave their life to Jesus, and we were tired. As we were about to finish, we had one final interaction. A guy was crossing our path and stops. He said, “Back in the 1970’s, I was in my car driving. I saw a guy carrying the cross. I started yelling and cursing at the guy in my car. I was so angry. I hated God and didn’t believe He existed. I went home that night and couldn’t get the image of the guy carrying the cross out of my head. I started to research about God to prove He didn’t exist. In that process, I ended up giving my life to Jesus.” He said, “You guys don’t know the impact your having as people drive by and see the cross.”

Wade Aaron with Christ’s Reward, started the journey of carrying the cross to all 50 states in 2023. That year, the Lord told me to join him on his trips. As 2023 came to an end, I prayed and fasted asking Jesus for my next steps. During my fast I was sitting in my living room praying, and the Holy Spirit subtly spoke, “Louis, honor me by what you’ve been taught.” In that moment I was staring at the cross Wade had given to me. It all clicked in my head. I need to start carrying the cross. I started to carry locally around my neighborhood, and slowly worked my way out to nearby towns, cities, states, and the country.

I started to carry through the end of 2023 and the start of 2024. One of the first days I started carrying, it was raining. I wasn’t talking to anyone. I wondered, what am I doing, should I be carrying the cross? Then I passed by a semi-trailer with the words: CROSSLAND. The Lord spoke to me through this sign. I was encouraged. Jesus was with me, and I needed to remain obedient. Carrying the cross is definitely a unique way of spreading the Gospel. I didn’t think I’d be doing this 5 years ago when Jesus told me to go reach the unreached and go to the hardest places no one goes. I pictured myself doing crusades and preaching. Now, Jesus has me going to different places across America and the world to carry the cross.

I typically drive or fly into a location, and carry the cross for 3 days (death, burial, resurrection). Some trips may be longer and there’s times I carry in the area until I feel the Lord release me. The mission is to carry the cross and let the Holy Spirit draw people to the cross. From there, people are prayed for, and the Gospel is shared. The purpose is for people to feel the love of Jesus. Every interaction is important as Jesus stopped for the one.

The power of carrying the cross is multifaceted. Sometimes there’s a toiling of the ground. What does this mean? Some places can be very dark, and people are resistant so at times I’m praying and spending time with Jesus. Praying in these areas changes the atmosphere, invites the presence of Jesus, and strongholds are torn down. This prepares the way for future missionaries who pass through the area to plant seeds or reap a harvest. Then there’s the image of someone carrying the cross. I’m not able to talk to everyone. However, seeds are being planted as people see the cross.

I carried the cross 498.66 miles in 18 local neighborhoods and cities across Texas. I slowly worked my way to 11 other states (Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, California, Michigan, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Nebraska). I carried outside the country in New Brunswick, Canada and Dublin, Ireland. Additionally, I followed the football sports show College Gameday and carried the cross at 8 college campuses they hosted. (Texas A&M, University of Michigan, University of California, University of Oklahoma, University of South Carolina, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, and University of Georgia). Many people surrendered their lives to Jesus, healed, delivered, and seeds were planted!