It’s not just about the manger
where the Baby lay.
It’s not all about the angels
who sang for Him that day.

It’s not just about the shepherds
or the bright and shining star.
It’s not about the wise men
who traveled from afar.

chorus

It’s about the cross;
it’s about my sin.
It’s about how Jesus came
to be born once
so that we could be born again.

It’s about the stone
that was rolled away,
so that you and I
could have real life someday.

–Go Fish
“Christmas With A Capital C” CD

I’m often asked why I walk the cross throughout the winter months and especially during December, the month our Lord and Savior’s traditional blessed nativity and birthday are celebrated.

Don’t get me wrong. My family and I celebrate the traditional birthday of Jesus Christ. We put up the outside Christmas lights, telling all who see them that Jesus is the light of the world. We buy and decorate a Christmas tree, which is a symbol showing Jesus as the eternal, everlasting tree of life.  We sing Christmas carols and hymns. And we attend Christmas musicals all month long.

OUR FRONT YARD DISPLAY INCLUDES THE CROSS

Grandson Simon and the cross walker adjusting the red lights on the family's front yard Christmas Cross display.

My wife and I also put up a five foot cross adorned with red lights in our front yard for all to see. There is a reason for this, as well as to why I carry a 60-pound, 10-foot cross throughout the streets of the city we live in, as well as traveling to other California cities and cross-walking their residential streets and downtowns, too.

SIN, DEATH AND TRAGEDY DON’T TAKE HOLIDAYS

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time of great joy and happiness; a time of family gatherings and making new and pleasant memories; a time of smiling faces and warm hearts; and a time of cheerful greetings and expressions of awe and wonder on the faces of little children.

But for many individuals, this blessed Christmas season will be a time of mixed emotions. There will be renewed faith in God. But there will also be doubt. There will be gladness, but there will also be sadness. There will be laughter, but there will also be tears.

For many families, death will have visited months, weeks or even just days before the magic of Christmas arrives, unexpectantly and tragically snatching loved ones from our grip, from our sight, and from our lives.

WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF GOD’S PEACE?

For many individuals, this Christmas will be a time of seasonal sadness and holiday hurt. Families will continue to experience emotional, physical and spiritual rifts in relationships between husbands and wives and parents and children. Employers and employees will be at odds, to the point of jeopardizing family security and welfare in the coming new year.

For many, the promise of Christmas peace will seem empty because of families at war, husbands and wives at war and neighborhoods at war. Add to this loved ones fighting wars in foreign lands and Christmas can appear to be as unstable, shallow and empty as the other days of the year.

THE PRINTS OF PEACE

In 1945 the head of the team of physicists that supervised the creation of the first atomic bomb appeared before a congressional committee and was asked by the chairman if there was any type of defense against this weapon of mass destruction.

“Certainly,” the esteemed physicist replied. “And that is…?” the congressman asked with a note of impatience in his voice. The nuclear scientist looked across the hushed, expectant audience and answered, “Peace.”

According to historians, only eight percent of the time since the beginning of recorded history has the world been entirely at peace. The war in Iraq has taught us that we can win a war, but winning the peace is extremely difficult if not impossible.

Inner peace is hard to win as well. Especially during Christmas, seasonal sadness and holiday hurt can take their toll on families and individuals.

God’s answer to this very real sorrow, pain, doubt and search for lasting peace is His Son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. This Prince of Peace, this Wonderful One, this Counselor, this Mighty God, and this Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6-7) is the One who can give lasting peace, as well as restoration and recovery of that which has been lost.

The Lord’s remedy for and answer to seasonal sadness and holiday hurt is illustrated in the story of doubting Thomas and Jesus’ beckoning words to the skeptical believer:

“Look at the nail prints in My hands and feet!
(John 20:24-29)

Even though the pain is so real, the sorrow is so heavy, and the hurt is so deep, we, like doubting Thomas, can gaze intensely at the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and also declare: “My Lord and my God!”

During hushed, lingering moments of seasonal sadness and holiday hurt, where loved ones have died, families have split up, jobs have been lost, and incurable diseases have been diagnosed, humanity’s collective question to God is: “Is there any type of defense against sin’s impartial weapon of mass destruction which also hits hard at Christmas?” And God’s gentle and reassuring answer will always be: “Certainly! MY PEACE!”

THIS IS WHY I CARRY THE CROSS AT CHRISTMAS

The Christmas cross is a spiritual magnet. It represents God’s peace with mankind because of the Savior’s atoning death on the cross for our sins and in our stead (our place). As  I walk the cross throughout the residential streets and downtowns of  our cities, people coming running out from their homes, their businesses, their moments of sorrow and their season of sorrow. They reach out and tenderly touch the cross. They take off their hats as a sign of respect. They bow down before the cross. They kiss the cross. They weep and cry.

And, more than any other spoken words, both old and young alike approach the cross with tears in their eyes and heavy weights on their hearts and utter the most common words of need and desperation that can be spoken in times of great sorrow, hopelessness and desperation:

“I needed to see the cross today.”

This is why I also walk the cross during the winter months and especially on Christmas day.

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Praying For Revival Beneath The Huge Flag At Bakersfield's Annual Day Of Prayer Event.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MJlXzfDhOo

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Praying For The Students (including their parents and school employees) Who Attend Bakersfield High School.

My wife and I live in Bakersfield. That’s one of the reasons I am able to carry the large 10-foot cross to every school in the greater Bakersfield area, hoist it upright at each elementary, junior high or senior high school and pray long and hard for the students, their parents, and all the school staff personnel (from the principal and assistant principal, to the teachers and aides and the custodians and volunteers).

There are some 130 K-12th grade schools in greater Bakersfield. Some are labeled as Title I ”troubled schools” and low achievement campuses, while others proudly display the “California Distinguished School” banner. But each has what is to me the biggest and greatest reason why I bring the cross to each school. They have our children and grandchildren for at least six hours each weekday.

Two Other Reasons Why I Carry The Cross To Every School In Bakersfield

Tom Praying For The Students Attending Centennial High School As Well As Their Parents And Teachers.

There are two other reasons why I walk the cross to every Bakersfield school, hoist it upright and pray loud and long in front of each and every school office (usually beside the flag pole). As I approach a particular school, I have two clear and distinct reasons for walking the entire perimeter of that school and then hoisting the large flag upright and praying in front of the school’s main office:

Number One. I’m praying for the safety of all students and all educators as they are on that particular campus and as they return home after school.

Number Two. I’m praying for the salvation of every student, parent, teacher and school employee at that school.

I carry the cross to every school in Bakersfield and pray for the safety and salvation of every student, parent and educator because prayer changes things because it changes individuals.

What I’m Praying About When I Pray At A School

Tom Praying At Stockdale High School After Walking The Entire Perimeter Around The School And Adjacent Neighborhood.

When I hoist the large cross upright at a school, I’m praying that:

1. Every student says no to drugs, gangs, weapons, violence, bullying and all other types of violence.

2. Every student remains civilized and never becomes chemicalized, criminalized, victimized or institutionalized, and that each boy and girl remains a juvenile decent rather than becoming a juvenile delinquent.

3. Every parent says no to drugs, gangs, weapons and all other types of violence as well.

4. Every teacher, principal, secretary, and other school employee says no to drugs and violence as well.

5. Every child, parent and school employee eventually accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Savior.

Wanna-be, Gonna-be, May-be And Never-be Drug Users And Gangbangers

Tom Praying For The Safety And Salvation Of Students Attending South High And For Their Parents And Teachers As Well.

In other words, I hoist that large cross upright at each school and pray that our kids never become drug users, gang members, juvenile delinquents or other types of troubled and troubling youth. When it comes to drugs, gangs, weapons, violence and crime, I’m praying that these kids become and remain NEVER-BE’S, and that they give their hearts, souls and lives to the One who died on the cross so that they can live drug-free, gang-free, crime-free and violence-free lives.

A Very Good Reason For Kids To Stay In School

This Card-Tract Gives Kids Many Good Reasons To Stay In School And Also Shares Good Reasons Why They Must Say No To Drugs, Gangs And Gun Violence.

I get to talk to a lot of kids before and after school. That’s why I designed a small card-tract to hand out to these kids. It’s entitled  “STAY IN SCHOOL. Don’t Be Anybody’s Fool.”  The tract encourages kids to say no to drugs, gang, weapons and violence. But it also gives these youth an incentive to stay in school and at the very least graduate from high school.

Very reliable studies report that high school graduates earn at least $10,000 more each year than dropouts. So it’s like giving themselves $10,000 extra or even more each year once they graduate and go to work full-time. These studies also show that if they acquire a two-year college degree, it’s like giving themselves $16,000 more each year than those who quit high school. It gets even better for those kids who earn a four year college degree. College and university graduates earn over $28,000 more each year than dropouts.

It’s All About Planting Good News Seed For Future Revival

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Praying For The Students Of Liberty High And For Their Parents And Teachers, That They All Accept Jesus As Their Savior.

Praying for students, their parents and their educators is the reason I bring the cross to each school throughout greater Bakersfield. This is how God prepares young hearts. This is how revival takes place in the lives of  these kids. Because when I bring the cross to Bakersfield’s elementary, junior high and senior high schools, hoist it upright for all to see, and pray long and hard for these boys’ and girls’ souls, the Spirit of the living God has opportunity to plant the seeds of revival and salvation in their hearts.

And this is one way future generations for Jesus are both prepared and reached. Amen and amen.

Tom and God's Plus Sign at Ventura's Surfer's Knoll

From The Long Board To
The Long Cross

Surfing hit the Texas Gulf Coast in 1961, when I was fourteen. My sister’s boyfriend knew some California surfers, who visited Galveston Island that summer and brought the long board to the Lone Star state.  From what I can recall, I was the fifth or sixth Texan to take up the long board and ride the two to three foot swells of Galveston Bay.

When I caught my first wave, I was hooked.

That summer I gave up the girls for the surf board. Riding waves was  both exhilarating and unbelievable. Every morning my friend Louie and I would hitchhike the nine miles from my home in Texas City to the island city. Sometimes we’d actually spend the night on Galveston Beach just to wake up to and ride the “glass,” the pristine and gently-breaking waves.

Nothing smelled better than the sun tan oil, the wax, and the surf.

For six great years I surfed as much as possible. Between playing organized baseball, football and basketball, I surfed my life away, and was glad to have parents who didn’t stop me from spending so much time at the beach. I couldn’t wait to turn sixteen so I could get my driver’s license and  buy a cheap car to carry my board and travel to the island and surf every day if I wanted to.

At sixteen I bought a dark green 1952 Plymouth for $50 and immediately painted “Surfer’s Wagon” in big red letters on each front tire fender and for the whole world to see. I also knocked out the rear window glass pane and shoved my long board through the open window and into the back seat. I was now a full-time surfer.

The Endless Summer Becomes The Endless Easter

From The Warmth Of The Sun To The Warmth Of The Son: Trading The Endless Summer For The Endless Easter.

But I was also a criminal.

You can read about my criminal and chemical exploits in my testimony.

Surfing was like breathing. Essential and necessary for my existence.  Time went by so quickly. At age twenty-two and obsessed with moving to California to surf, I robbed a bank and headed for the West Coast. Of course I was eventually captured and then sent to prison.

The best thing that ever happened to me occurred in prison.

While in the “joint,”  I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord when a group of Christian athletes came to the prison and shared their unique stories about a God who loved them so much that He died on the cross for their sins.  They shared that He died for my sins as well. Something happened to me that day. For some reason, I believed what they said. On February 9, 1973 I asked God to forgive me of all my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. And you know what? I felt like a brand new person and like a ton of weight had been lifted off my chest and out of my life.

Convict For Christ!

I read every book of the Bible, attended chapel services as often as the prison allowed, and gave my entire life to the God who died on the Cross for my sins. I also co-founded Convicts For Christ and began telling everyone in sight — inmate, prison guard, visitor, counselor, psychologist – that everyone is in prison until they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Only Jesus can set us free from the worst prison there is: the prison of the mind. Revival broke out among inmates and prison workers. All Because Jesus died for sinners, losers and winners. And according to the Bible we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness.

Free Man In Christ For Thirty-Eight Years!

Eventually I was paroled, a brand new man in Christ.

I was also a minister of the Gospel.

Although I enjoyed surfing and still have many fond memories of that life, I knew that when I gave my life to Jesus my surfing days were over–at least for the time being. I have now been a street evangelist for thirty-eight years,  and for the past five years I have carried a 60-pound, ten-foot cross throughout California cities.

When I accepted Jesus as my Savior I gave up the long board for the long cross and the endless summer for the endless Easter! Surf and turf life for resurrection life. Temporal life for eternal life.

Don’t get me wrong. There isn’t anything wrong with surfing. I’m just too busy leading people to Jesus. Where I once couldn’t contain my joy and had to talk people into surfing, I now can’t contain the joy in my life about Jesus Christ and what He did for this man who was nicknamed Moon by other inmates because I loved to surf at night as well.  Cowabunga has now become Hallelujah. My ocean is now the streets of California. And this forgiven sinner now chases the Endless Easter, which is day to day victory over sin, self and Satan and eternal life in Christ, all because of Jesus’  resurrection!

The Endless Easter! Life eternal. All because of  Jesus Christ, the first water walker.

What A Sight To Behold For A Former Surfer Turned Cross Walker!

WARMTH OF THE SON

(new life version)

The Lord of all life

He saved me one day.

I cried when He said,

I forgive you today.

Now I have the Warmth

of the Son;

It won’t ever die.

Since it seems that everybody who lives in Bakersfield goes to Pismo Beach instead of the southern California surf spots, it was bound to happen. Pismo Beach, here we come, bringing the long cross instead of the long board to this central California beach and walking the streets instead of walking the nose. Surf’s up in Pismo…and so is the long cross!

What A Day For A Cross Walk Custom Made For A Cross Walking Believer

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander And A Young Family From Madera Visiting Pismo For A Day Of Fun In The Sun.

As Jeanette and I arrived at Pismo, we found the local spot to park the “go-ye-mobile.” As I unloaded the ten-foot cross, a young family came up and asked what we were doing.

Jeanette and I shared that I’d be walking the cross in Pismo, starting at the Pier and then walking downtown. They were Christians from Madera and visiting Pismo for the day. I asked if they’d like to pray with us for Pismo and the cross walk, and they enthusiastically said “Yes”. So we prayed. 

I always ask those who pray with me if they’ll  pray first. And they did! Powerful prayers for the people living in Pismo as well as the visitors and tourists. What was so special is that their youngest boy kept climbing onto the cross as we prayed, which made his mom nervous. I told them not to worry about this, and that God was no doubt smiling as He watched all this from Heaven.

At The Cross Is Where We First See The Light

What A Special Joy And Privilege It Is To Pray With Young People And To Praise The Lord Together As Well!

Is there really anything more powerful than young people coming to the cross and asking for personal prayer and for their friends as well? No matter what city I walk the cross in, when young people come running up and ask for prayer, I believe all Heaven pauses momentarily and looks upon as God’s amazing grace pours out upon the youth.

These four young people called me over to where they were at and asked what I was doing. When I shared I was praying for their city, they all shouted “Praise the Lord!” in unison. Then we prayed…for them…for their parents…for their friends… and for their city. I left these young people with a heartfelt prayer for their safety and a cry in my heart that they remain on fire for Jesus and reach out and touch the youth of their city with the message of God’s amazing love in Christ. With the world behind them and the cross before them,  my prayer is that these young people continue to follow Jesus with all their strength and might.

No Better Feeling Than Having Church On The Streets For Everyone Passing By To Hear Young People Praise The Name Of Jesus Christ!

In a culture that’s trying hard to keep people from seeing the cross and accepting the free gift of eternal life in Christ, it’s refreshing to have a large number of young people approach this cross walker in every California city I go and rejoice at the sight of the large cross. Pismo Beach was no exception!

These young boys were very excited to see the cross. I was able to talk with them for several minutes and answer their questions about why I was in Pismo. What blessed my heart is the very positive comments they made about my cross walking safari. These three young men were actually walking with their parents toward the pier, but stayed behind and asked for prayer for themselves, their family and for their friends. Church on the streets at Pismo Beach!

Surf’s Up In Pismo…And So Is The Cross Of Jesus Christ!

Street Evangelist Praying At The City's Popular Pier For The People Living In Pismo Beach And The Surrounding Communities.

The day passed by quickly, as Jeanette and I walked the downtown area as well as the beach and onto the busy pier, talking with people, praying for people, hoisting the large cross upright at different intersections, and bringing the Endless Easter to Pismo Beach. We met several people from Bakersfield, including a man and his family whose two children I had officiated at each of their respective weddings. They were surprised  and elated to see us walking the cross on the pier.

As the cross walking safari ended this day, I hoisted the large cross one final time at the Pier and prayed for the entire community and the people living in this central California coastal town. Because of the cross walk,  Pismo Beach and surrounding communities will never be the same, as the Spirit of Revival moved in the lives of many men, women and children. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus Christ in this peaceful and beautiful coastal city. Now it was time to enjoy the beach with our family before heading home that night to Bakersfield.

The Warmth Of The Son And  A Beach Fire As Well

Tom, Shiloh, Gemma and Becka Working Hard To "Help" Nathan Dig Out A Fire Pit To Barbecue Hot Dogs And Roast Some 'Smores.

Whenever Jeanette and I walk the cross in any coastal town, we make it a point to end the day by enjoying the beach for an hour or two and watch the sun go down, basking in the glory and power of the living God who spoke the ocean into existence  with one simple command.

Our trip to Pismo was a little different. Our daughter Shiloh, her husband Nathan, our granddaughter Gemma, and her friend Becka were spending a few days in Pismo, so after the cross walk, we met up at the beach and enjoyed a time of laughter and fun together, goofing off and baking clams, eating ‘Smores, and then enjoying a blazing fire before saying good-by and returning home. Who says walking the cross isn’t fun, fun fun?

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander greeting and praying for people at Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

(new life in Christ version)

I’m thinking of good vibrations,

Cross walking’s giving me excitations.

I’m thinking of  unsaved creations,

God’s giving me expectations.

Good, good, good, good vibrations.

Good, good, good, good vibrations.

What started out as an early morning fog turned into a beautiful sunshiny day, the kind of awesome day I remembered when we lived and ministered in the San Francisco Bay area for fourteen years. Jeanette and I loaded up the “go-ye-mobile” and headed to Fisherman’s Wharf,  just a few blocks from where we had stayed the night. As we slowly drove down the hilly street, the view of the pristine and wonderfully blue Pacific Ocean getting closer and closer by the moment filled my senses with both good and not so good memories of this beautiful northern California coastal town.

If Anyone Is In Christ, They Are Brand New Creations

The first time I had visited this city was way back in 1971 during a time that most certainly wasn’t as pleasant as now. On the F.B.I’s fugitive list for robbing a bank in Texas and escaping to California, I was a man on the run from justice and prison time.

Wow! What a difference new life in Christ makes.

As Jeanette and I looked for a parking space, my mind filled with memories of a long, not-so-forgotten time ago, when I was  a totally different person, a man who couldn’t care less about family, friends and especially foes. Monterey is the city where God finally said, “Enough!”

After robbing two people at gun point in their home at Pacific Grove (right next to Monterey) and stealing their car, I really thought that I had gotten away with breaking the law and eluding captivity once again. But just like that,  in 1971 and on a street in Monterey not too different  from the one Jeanette and I were on right now, my crime spree came to an abrupt end. (Note: click on the Convict For Christ blog to read my testimony.)

Spirit West Coast And Walking The Cross On Fisherman’s Pier

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander greeting a young man and his daughter and sharing God's Good News about Christ.

I should have realized that the cross walk would be great, especially since so many people passing by in vehicles as we drove toward the Wharf honked their horns in approval or rolled down their windows and cried out, “Praise The Lord!” Later we would discover that  the huge Spirit West Coast annual Jesus celebration had just taken place this weekend in Monterey. Seemed like all the believers who had attended Spirit West Coast were on their way to visit Fisherman’s Wharf before going home.

Response to the cross walk on the Wharf was very positive, and I was able to share with many youth as well as adults about God’s love in Christ, and what they must do to be saved. Gang members listened as I shared my past before Christ. As is often the case, many of these young men didn’t believe my story about crime and time, so I gave each of them a card-tract printed with my prison mug shot and testimony. As I left each one, they were busy reading the story of how God’s amazing grace saved even a wretched sinner as myself.

The cross speaks a universal language because it is all about a universal message: Christ died for all people!

Fisherman’s Wharf was teeming with people, from those who live in Monterey, to tourists from other California and U. S. cities as well as other countries. Many didn’t speak English, but they all understood the language of the cross.

I must have spoken to over two hundred people on the Wharf, while countless others received the message of the cross just by seeing it! God’s Spirit is so wonderful, bearing witness to the truth of the cross and making Zechariah 12:10 real in the lives of those who look upon the cross as God’s Plus Sign. (read Zechariah 12:10 for yourself!)

The Endless Easter was upon the people of Monterey, as the Spirit of the living God moved upon men and women, as well as children. You could literally feel the power of God in the air, as individual after individual was touched by the Spirit to come forth for prayer. As I walked slowly toward the end of the Wharf, they came.

People asked God to restore their marriages. They asked for prayer for loved ones who didn’t know Jesus. And they asked God to give them more of Him so they too could go forth and witness about God’s love in Christ.  I sensed that this was going to be a very special cross walk. What made me smile and what filled my heart with great joy was the fact that this was the place in 1971 where God broke this man and sent him to prison so he could receive a brand new life and new beginnings. And here I was, praying for people in a city that I once preyed upon. What an amazing God.

The Warmth Of  The Son And The Power Of  Street Witnessing For Jesus

The sign asks, "What is your assurance that if you died tonight, you would go to Heaven?"

Jeanette and I weren’t alone on this mission. As we walked the area around the Wharf, we came upon fellow brothers in Christ who were also there to boldly witness about the Lord Jesus Christ. Standing on a short rock fence, four young men lifted signs high and mingled with the crowd, asking an important and thought-provoking question about assurance of salvation.

Of course we greeted each other warmly, exchanged “Hallelujahs” and “Praise the Lord” words of encouragement, and then prayed together…that all who were visiting Fisherman’s Wharf would accept Jesus as their Savior. They shared that they had just come from the Spirit West Coast gathering and were pumped up for Jesus! They, too, were getting the attention of a lot of people.

Although we could have stayed with these brothers much longer, there was more work to be done with the ten-foot spiritual plow I was pulling. Breaking up the fallow ground of human hearts and watching God turn up the soil of hardened, stony and thorny hearts to expose the good ground that everyone really has always thrills my spirit. For when the good ground in human hearts is exposed, God’s Good Seed (His Word) is able to find a place to set, take root and grow upward unto eternal life! And here at Fisherman’s Wharf, there were some hardened, stony and thorny hearts to be turned up by the sight of the cross.

Christ Jesus Died On The Cross For Muslims Too!

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander praying for hundreds of Muslims attending a festive celebration.

The Spirit of the living God led Jeanette and me to a large area of the Wharf where hundreds of Turkish Muslims were holding some type of festive celebration. Hoisting the cross upright, I asked the God of humanity to reveal Himself and His Son Jesus Christ to all men, women and children attending this event.

I prayed long and I prayed hard, unaware of people passing by who were going to the event and who weren’t that thrilled about seeing a huge uplifted cross and hearing the audible and loud prayers of a street evangelist. I was also unaware of a young man who stood close to me as I prayed for the salvation of each and every Muslim attending the event.

After several minutes of prayer, I opened my eyes and saw the young man staring intently at me. He smiled and then said, “I was listening to you pray. Wanted to know how you were praying. I was impressed. You prayed for their salvation and not for their destruction.”  He paused. “You asked God to show them that they are sinners and that Jesus Christ died for their sins, so they could be forgiven and really go to Heaven once they died here on Earth.” He smiled again. “Thank you for showing me how to pray for my enemies. Up to now, I prayed that God would destroy them.” He bowed his head, then looked at me. “I will pray like you do from now on.”

Monterey Won’t Be The Same Because Of A Praying And Testifying People

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander praying at the end of Fisherman's Wharf for the inhabitants of Monterey.

Wow! On a special day in one of California’s most beautiful cities, the Spirit of God revealed Himself strong to not only nonbelievers, but believers as well.

As our cross walk throughout Fisherman’s Wharf came to a close, I couldn’t help but wonder just how many souls had been touched by the sight of the cross, by the prayers of  God’s people and by the testimonies of His street warriors.

As I stood the large cross upright at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf and prayed for the city of Monterey and its inhabitants, I sensed that the Spirit of the living God had done a great and powerful work in the hearts of many men and women. The large spiritual plow (the cross) had turned up the hardened, stony and thorny soil of many hearts and exposed the goods ground for God’s Word to set. The Scripture that came to mind as I ended my prayer was, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (2 Corinthians 3:6). Even so, Lord Jesus, give me one more soul, and one more, and one more, and one more.”

Not too bad a prayer for an ex-convict who in 1973 became a Convict for Christ while in prison and who has spent these past 38 years telling  people the amazing story of God’s love in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Hoisting The Large Cross Upright And Praying At Compton's City Hall.

Since 1973 (when I became a believer) I have always wanted to go to Compton and share the Gospel. Now, after a successful cross walk in East L.A. and downtown Los Angeles, here I was. Walking the large cross on the sidewalk running parallel with Compton Avenue, I immediately was taken back by the friendliness of all the people passing by in vehicles, as well as the large number of believers.

So where was the rampant crime and the dirty streets and the jailhouse mentality of all the people who live here that I had heard about so often when this city’s name came up in a discussion?  For all I could tell, Compton was a great city to live in. One that seemed to have had a major transformation of sorts.

Heading toward the city’s government hub, I was pleasantly surprised by all the people who came up and greeted this cross walker and who also asked for prayer for a loved one or themselves. I was also taken back by the number of individuals who thanked me for bringing the large cross to their city. I was even more surprised at what I saw at City Hall.

DO YOU KNOW WHO SAID THOSE WORDS? AND BORN-AGAIN COMPTON!

Do You Recognize The Author Of The Quotation On This Huge Mural Painted On One Side Of Compton's City Hall Building?

Compton’s City Hall is large, and I was impressed at how stately and beautiful the entire government compound looked. As I approached City Hall I couldn’t help but notice a mural that took up an entire side of the City Hall Building. The picture to the left and its familiar quotation tells it all as far as the positive and inspiring attitude of the city is concerned.  I stopped beside the mural and asked a couple of city workers if they knew who said those inspiring and enlightening words. They didn’t know.

When I told them that these were the words of Jesus Christ, both a smile and a look of surprise fell across their faces. “Really?” one of the women asked. “Really,” I answered. We talked about the Lord for a few minutes, then they went on their break.

What a blessing to behold! But what cannot be seen in the picture  is that to the upper right but out of sight is the caption “Born Again Compton” in bold letters.  Pretty cool, huh? Looks like the Lord of new life and new beginnings has been doing a great work in this city that is unofficially known as Gangland, USA.

As I hoisted the cross upright and prayed at City Hall, many city workers and citizens came up and thanked me for praying for Compton. After a long time of prayer, I walked the cross a few feet away to the Sheriff’s Station, hoisted it upright, and prayed for all law enforcement officials…for their safety and for their salvation. This is one of my favorite things to do at each city I visit. God’s Spirit fell on this area, I felt that special extraordinary peace which comes from God and which can only be felt when the Lord of Revival draws near.

FROM PRISON TO PRAISE

An Ex-Convict Turned Prisoner Of The Lord Praying For His City And Government Leaders.

I headed toward the huge Courthouse to pray for the God of justice to protect the judges, bailiffs and all courtroom personnel, and to show each and every one of them their need to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Then I prayed for all the men and women who would be coming to the Courthouse for various reasons, that they too would become born-again believers and be set free of  their past lives, including drug use, gangbanging and breaking the law.

A man came up to me and asked if he could hold the cross and pray for his city and government. Of course! Tony served 15 years in prison but then accepted Jesus as his Savior. Now, almost every day, he comes to this popular hang-out area with a notebook and pen. After talking to and praying for people, he writes down their names and prays for their salvation. He showed me his notebook crammed full with the names of people he was praying for. Needless to say, we had a very pleasant and long conversation about Compton and what God is doing in this special city. We then said our good-byes and I headed down Compton Avenue.

After walking a couple miles west I crossed the street and headed east. It wasn’t long before people stopped me on the sidewalk, their faces filled with joy and amazement that someone with a large cross was walking and praying for their city. Of all the cities in California I have cross-walked, Compton was by far the friendliest, liveliest and Spirit-alive cities of them all, which surprised me. But what a pleasant surprise.

WOW! I CAN DO THIS!

An On-Fire Third Day Believer Walking The Cross On Compton Avenue.

I could barely go block to block because of the response of all the people. Amazing. This was going to be a very slow cross walk because of the number of people stopping in the street and getting out of their cars to talk, as well as the ones coming out of  offices, stores and apartments. I couldn’t believe it. There was a revival taking place even as I walked the cross!

Individuals would come up and ask if they could carry the cross. Of course! You should have seen the smiles and looks on their faces as they lowered the cross to their shoulders and walked the cross down Compton Avenue. By-standers and people passing by would shout out Hallelujah and Praise The Lord, which only encouraged these men to walk the cross. The Spirit of Revival had arrived! And I couldn’t help but wonder what God was going to do in this city throughout the weeks and months ahead.

But there wasn’t any doubt in my heart or mind whatsoever. God’s angels were chasing out the demonic forces that only cause grief, sorrow, pain, misery, death, destruction and bondage to human beings.

IF YOU CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT TOO!

Another Compton Resident Walking The Cross Down Compton Avenue.

One person after another came up and asked if he could walk the cross. Of course everybody and their mama was taking pictures at such a sight, and Church On The Streets was taking place right smack dab in the middle of the day and in the middle of the city. I stood there grinning like a possum as people came running just to get a glimpse of all this. What a powerful move of God’s Holy Spirit in Compton.

It wasn’t just adults. Children came out of apartments and buildings and praised the Lord for bringing a cross walker to their city. A group of youth at an inner city church came out and joined the holy ruckus. Kids like to dance, and these kids began to dance in the Spirit as they watched people they know carry the cross down Compton Avenue.

It seemed like the entire city was on fire for Jesus! And this is the type of fire you want to see take place in a city. A fire that purifies the heart and soul and cleanses the life of a believer.

GLORY HALLELUJAH! LOOK WHAT GOD IS DOING!

There Is Room At The Cross For Everyone!

Compton, California, of all places! Hallelujah, what a Savior. These brothers and sisters were showing their fellow citizens that they are, indeed, the light of the world, just like that huge mural declared at City Hall for all to see.

The large cross, like a huge spiritual plow and plowshare, was breaking up the fallow ground of hearts and turning up the hardened, stony and thorny soil and exposing the good ground for the Good Seed to set, germinate and sprout unto eternal life. Everyone…everyone…has good ground beneath their hardened, stony or thorny hearts. All it takes to break up the fallow ground and to turn up the soil of people’s lives to expose the good ground is third day believers who aren’t ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most assuredly, the Third Day Christians of Compton showed this cross walker that they are on fire for the Lord.

A man of God once shared, “Get on fire for God and people will come and watch you burn.” It’s for certain that revival has arrived in Compton. And because of these fellow cross walkers, the city of Compton will never be the same. Just like that huge mural declares: “A city that’s set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Nor can revival be abated. Even so, shine Jesus shine! Holy Spirit, ignite the hearts of the men, women and children of Compton so family members, friends, strangers and even foes will come and watch them burn for You. Amen and amen!”

Lake Forest's Beautiful City Hall Building Was Jammed Pack With Senior Citizens On This Special Cross Walking Day. Read The Story To Find Out How They Reacted To This Cross Walk.

After such a wonderful cross walk in Compton, the Spirit of the Lord impressed on me to travel southeast to the affluent communities of Lake Forest, El Toro and Mission Viejo in Orange County. Most definitely … perhaps even more … the upper-class citizens need to be saved as well. So off I went, excited about the amazing results of Cross Walk Compton and anticipating a special time in Lake Forest as well. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

HOW HARD IT IS FOR THE RICH CHURCH TO ENTER THE KINGDOM

Arriving in Lake Forest I located a large church and parked the “go-ye-mobile” in their lot, which is what I like to do as often as possible to keep the truck safe as I walk the cross throughout a city. Before I walked the cross, however, the Lord beckoned me to introduce myself to the church leaders. He also instructed me to ask the church to help underwrite this week’s cross walk in southern California.

So I obeyed the voice of the Lord. So many churches and pastors have helped underwrite this cross-walking safari that it’s just like breathing air as far as me asking churches and pastors for help. Confident that this church would help too, I introduced myself to the office administrator (the pastor wasn’t in), told him about my 37-year ministry, etc., and then asked if the church would help underwrite the cost of an inexpensive motel room.

No they couldn’t … or wouldn’t. The negative response actually surprised me, and I do not surprise easily. I believe in the words of Jesus Christ, especially where the Savior instructs His followers to give to those who ask for help. I wasn’t asking for a large amount. Just a few dollars to help underwrite the trip’s costs. And what surprised me even more was the fact that this church worker didn’t even offer to pray with me for his city, for unsaved souls and even for my small need.

PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE CHURCH NEED THE LORD TOO

With a saddened heart I left this large church after praying specifically for the coldness of  the church worker’s heart. If this was the way he treated a fellow minister, I wondered out loud to the Lord how he treated those who were not part of that particular church membership.

The coldness of this minister’s heart made me wonder if all the churches and their leaders in this tri-city community needed a great awakening. So I prayed for the churches as I drove to my destination: Lake Forest’s City Hall.

COMMON, EVERYDAY BELIEVERS CONTRASTED TO THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE CHURCHES

I hoisted the large cross upright at City Hall and prayed long and hard for the city’s mayor, council members and city employees, that God would bless them with the knowledge of their need to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. I also prayed for all law enforcement officers, that they not only accept Jesus as their Savior, but that Psalm 91′s God … the God of divine protection … would keep each of them safe from all harm as they executed their duty to serve and protect the people of Lake Forest.

I met the mayor, who was also a member of the church I had visited prior to praying at City Hall. Unlike the vast majority of mayors I had spoken to about this prayer walk, he seemed uninterested. Sadly, I walked away, then continued to pray for the souls of men, women and children living in lake Forest.

From out of the blue, three women walked up to me and asked what I was doing. They started praising the Lord when I shared my mission, surprised and extremely joyful looks on their faces. They were senior saints and were among a group of some two hundred who were about to eat a free meal at City Hall, inside the Senior Citizen’s room. They invited me to join them and eat a free meal, which I gladly said yes to.

The warm reception of these senior saints took me by surprise, in contrast to the cold hearts of  the people I had previously met. They asked me all kinds of questions about the Cross Walk, and were extremely joyful and excited that I was praying for their city.

After a very pleasant time of fellowship and dining with this large group, I told them I had to be on my way. One of the three women who invited me to join the group for lunch shook my hand and,  at the same time, handed me a twenty dollar bill. I didn’t ask for their help, but here was a widow contributing to my ministry where a minister (who should know better) wouldn’t. Of course I shared with her what a blessing she was to do such a thing.

PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS AFFLUENT COMMUNITY

We Must Not Forget To Pray For The Churches And Church Leaders Because They Can Become Cold-Hearted And Distant To The Needs Of The People Not Attending Their Church.

With an invigorated spirit, I drove to the city’s major street, parking my “go-ye-mobile inside the parking lot of our nation’s second largest church. I hadn’t planned on it, but the Spirit of God nudged me to take a few minutes and introduce myself to church workers, whom I had e-mailed and shared that on this day I would be walking the cross and praying for the souls of the men, women and children living in this city.

You know, I’m not a novice. I’ve been a minister for 37-years. But this church leadership, too, was very suspicious of  me and didn’t welcome me with open hearts. I was really surprised by the cold reception. But apparently this seemed to be the problem with Lake Forest churches.  When I asked for a little help to offset my modest expenses, the attitude was as though I was a con artist attempting to rip off the church.

Usually I don’t ask a second time whenever a pastor or church leader says no to me. But God’s Spirit was relentless, so I asked the church leader to consider giving a small donation, telling him that one of the church’s members, a widow, had given me twenty dollars. And if she could do such a thing, the extremely large church could do this as well. Very reluctantly and as if this would interfere with some important meeting (possibly a Star Bucks run or Facebook notation), he told me to remain outside and he’d go in and see what could be done.

Fifteen long minutes later he came out, and coldly handed me a twenty dollar bill, matching the senior saint’s gift. I reminded him about the story Jesus told about the widow who gave out of her life-need in contrast to the rich people who gave out of their greed, then said good-bye.

I had a much more important mission to accomplish than to ague with a cold-hearted church leader.

GREAT RESPONSE FROM EVERYDAY PEOPLE

The Students At This Public High School Were Openly Responsive To The Cross Walk, And Several Prayed With Me About The Serious Problems They Were Facing.

Just steps away from the church’s main entrance, the spiritual atmosphere changed abruptly. As I walked the cross down this busy street, vehicle horns sounded loudly and people shouted “Hallelujah” or gave the one-way sign as they passed by. I prayed for this community, that God would break through the religious bondage and fear and bring new leaders into the area who would reach the city for Jesus and not necessarily make a living out of  professional ministry and church-ism.

I enjoy hoisting the large cross upright and praying at every school I come to. The students at Trabuco High were ending their school day just as I began to pray for them. Several came up and asked what I was doing. When I shared that I was praying for them and for their families, different comments filled the air: “Wow, that’s so cool.” “You are?!” “Thank you.”

Small groups of students came up to me, as did individuals. A few shared their personal problems and asked if I would pray for them. It is easy to forget that some kids are facing serious problems even as they attend school and outwardly appear to be okay. But inwardly they are hurting. As these kids approached  and asked for prayer, I would lay hands on them and pray that the God of all mercy would help them, heal them and and be with them each and every day. I would also pray for their families and friends as well. These students were just like so many others who attend schools in other cities across California.

Kids’ lives were being changed. The Spirit of God moved, and a sense of peace and well-being would replace weary and troubled looks. As is my custom, I gave each of these students a tract card with my phone number and encouraged each one to call me if they needed further prayer.

I prayed at this busy intersection for about thirty minutes, greeting students and asking if any needed prayer. Church on the streets! That’s what this was all about. And because a cross walker from a valley town in central California chose to bring the cross to this affluent yet apparently spiritually-impoverished city, I knew that Lake Forest will never be the same. It’s not me. It’s Christ in me who brings to a city His Spirit of Revival.

In spite of cold hearts, the Spirit of God has a way of moving past the barriers and walls and revealing Himself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts have been prepared to meet Him. And, the large cross can, indeed, be turned into a spiritual plow and plowshare and break up the fallow grounds of hardened, stony or thorny hearts. Beneath the hardened, stony and thorny hearts, there is always good ground.

As I ended this cross walk on such a positive note, I prayed long and hard for the church workers who must come again to the warmth of the Son and allow Him to melt their cold hearts and turn them back into the on-fire, people-loving soldiers for Jesus they probably once were, but for whatever reason, are now cold and distant to the Master and His front-line warriors and street fighters attempting to populate the kingdom of God.

Make it so, Lord Jesus, I ask, in Your All-powerful name. Amen and amen.

Cross Walking And praying For The Men, Women, Children And Families Living In East Los Angeles.

After a special walk in downtown Los Angeles, I headed west on 6th Street that eventually turns into Whittier Boulevard and headed for the heart of East L.A. It was late, so I decided to get a motel room for the night and walk the cross in East Los Angeles the next morning.

After a nice and long talk with my wife through the free Skype’s computer program, which is quite a miracle in itself, I got a great night’s sleep. Early the next morning I ate my normal McDonald’s breakfast (which has become my on-the-road office of sorts) then headed east on Whittier and found a great parking spot. Unloading the large cross, I lowered it to my shoulder and headed west down this large and very busy boulevard.

This is a largely Hispanic city and I know I’m always going to get a great reception from the Spanish community. So many men and women of the Catholic faith love seeing the large cross. I am always amazed at their responses, though never surprised.

Of course, East Lost Angeles has a reputation for being home to one of California’s largest gangs. But this is one of the reasons I came to this beautiful city. God owns East L.A. as well, and he loves all the people living here as well.

Asking God To Expose The Good Ground Of People’s Hearts So His Good Seed Has A Place To Set, Germinate And Grow

As I walked the cross down Whittier Boulevard, I found the people to be quite friendly. So many here have a reverent fear and respect for the cross. Men and women would greet me in Spanish and ask if they could touch the cross. Of course they can touch the cross! Many would simply reach out and touch or kiss the cross and then go on their way, a smile on their faces and a new song in their hearts to the God of glory.

At each street corner I hoisted the large cross and bowed my head, praying first against the satanic forces that adversely manipulate people’s lives and which inflict misery, greed and fear on humans. Then I asked the Lord of the Harvest to spiritually transform the cross into a large plow and plowshare and break up the fallow grounds of the hearts of all people who see the cross.

The parable of the sower came to mind. Hardened hearts, stony hearts, thorny hearts…but also good hearts. Like all people in every city, life can turn your personality into a hardened, stony or thorny heart. But beneath all hardened, stony and thorny hearts there is a good heart just waiting to be turned up and exposed to the good seed, the Good News. This was my prayer for the people of East Los Angeles.

As I walked the cross, shook hands, smiled big, and prayed hard, God’s power from on high began to descend. People walked up and asked for prayer for themselves or for loved ones. And God answered their prayers. I felt the oppression that accompanies fear and distrust lift, and in its place a new freedom and liberty in Christ filled the streets.

There’s Room At The Cross For Everyone

This Cross Is A Large Spiritual Plow Designed By God To Break Up The Fallow Ground Of Hardened, Stony and Thorny Hearts And Expose The Good Ground So God's Good Seed (His Word) Can Set, Germinate And Grow Upwards Unto Eternal Life.

The cross was making quite an impact in East Los Angeles. Of course, there’s no magic in a cross. It’s a symbol of the greatest truth ever revealed, the greatest love ever shared, and the greatest power ever displayed. The magic, if you call it that, is what the great God and Savior Jesus Christ did for East Los Angeles residents over two thousand years ago. Today, the people of this great city were getting a taste of divine love and mercy. Only a living God can breath new life into a dying corpse. And only Jesus Christ the Resurrection and the Life can give the command and lift the lives of all people out of the tomb of despair and into new beginnings and new hope.

This is exactly what the Lord of Revival did for the people of East L.A. This day would be like no other. Today, the cross would plow through all hardened, stony and thorny hearts and expose the good ground to the sower, who, indeed, would sow the good seed of God’s Word into the hearts of these men, women and children…all because of God’s amazing love in Christ Jesus.

I heard God’s voice declare, “Today’s the day of salvation.” And, as I walked the cross for several hours throughout this city, I knew that East Los Angles would never be the same. God’s Spirit would see to this. His power and love would break through the darkness, shatter the darkness, and command the darkness to depart. Today, this city would enter the light. Today, great revival was not only on the way; it was already breaking out.

Today, East Los Angeles and its people would experience first hand just what a little bit of soul-winning can do. All because of God’s amazing grace! Amen and amen.