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

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Walking Toward His 40th Year In Ministry.

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Visalia Is The County Seat For Tulare County And Is A Friendly City Of 125,000 Souls.

Brought the large cross to this central valley city of 125,000 souls. Parking a few blocks from the large county administration compound, I walked the cross to the courthouse complex, hoisted it upright and prayed for all justice personnel, including the judges, law enforcement officials and the jury services system, as well those facing charges for any type of criminal activity.

The people were very friendly, and some would come up to me and share how much they appreciated that I was praying at this facility. When I shared that I would be praying at several different locations in their city, they couldn’t believe it. But it was true!

MARIJUANA AND THE LAW

Praying For All The People Living In Tulare County, That They All Accept Jesus Christ As Their Savior.

One young man came up to me and asked for prayer because he had been busted for so-called medical marijuana cultivation. He shared that he had all the state requirements. licenses, etc. Told him that all that didn’t matter, because the federal government trumps state regulations and laws. Federal law bans any form of marijuana possession or cultivation.

He was shocked that I would say this, but let me pray for him anyway.

I prayed that he would receive mercy from the judge, and that he would also come to realize and understand that he really did break the law and repent of this sin. When I asked if he’d like to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior, he said he wasn’t ready yet.

I left it at that but gave him a couple of tract/cards that I pray will help him come to Jesus in due season. Gave him my phone number as well and asked him to give me a call, so I could send him some  in depth information on marijuana.

TULARE COUNTY’S FALLEN HEROES

This Law Enforcement Memorial Contains The Names Of Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies And Highway Patrol Officers Who Have Given Their Lives While In The Line Of Duty.

After praying hard and long at this large facility and talking with and praying for several individuals, I walked a few blocks to where Tulare County’s Law Enforcement Memorial is located. I hoisted the cross at this “End Of Watch” Memorial and asked God to bless all the families of these fallen heroes with the peace that only He can give. I also asked God to protect  all law enforcement officers now protecting the cities of  Tulare County, including family members as well. A memorial service had just ended, so I was able to speak with several law enforcement officers and share with them God’s love for each and every one of them.

WALKING THE  CROSS DOWNTOWN

Praying At Redwood High School For All Of Visalia's K-12th Grade Students, Located in The Downtown Vicinity.

After praying  for all government officials, including the city’s mayor and the county’s supervisors, I loaded up the cross and headed for downtown. Parking on a side street of Main Street, I walked west on this large street. Downtown Visalia is a beautiful place to hangout, which lots of people were doing. I was able to speak with and pray for many individuals. Friendly people live in this city, which makes my ministry that much easier.

At Redwood High School, I hoisted the cross upright and prayed for all of Visalia’s K-12th grade students, that they all say no to drugs, gangs, guns and violence and YES to Jesus Christ. Marijuana use is a big problem among this city’s youth, so I especially prayed that an anti-drug environment and culture would rise up and help these kids say no to this so-called recreational dug.

VISALIA’S THIN BLUE LINE

It's Always My Pleasure And Duty To Hoist The Cross At Police Stations And Pray For The Safety Of The Men And Women Who Make Up The "Thin Blue Line."

I make it my mission to bring the cross to each police department of every city I visit and hoist the cross upright and pray long and hard for the “thin blue line.” I ask God to surround this thin blue line with His thick blue line of angelic warriors and to keep them safe from all harm and evil as they execute their duty to protect and serve the citizens and residents of their cities. It was my great joy to pray for the police officers of Visalia as well.

THE ARRIVAL OF REVIVAL

As the long cross walk came to an end, I couldn’t help but think about all the people I had spoken with, as well as the ones I had prayed for as well. Hoisting the cross at the corner of Main Street and Johnson Street, I asked the Lord of the Harvest for the souls of these men, women and children, that He would send His Spirit of revival throughout the city (and county) and bring thousands to Jesus. I asked God to rebuke Satan and his dark forces and shine His light and love upon the people of Visalia like they’ve never experienced before.

That is what each cross walk is all about. Amen and amen. Glory to the King. \O/

It Was A Great Pleasure To Pray At This Courthouse And For The People Of Tulare.

After walking the cross all morning in Visalia, just a few miles north of Tulare, I drove the go-ye-mobile south on Highway 99, to this city of 57,000 souls. After taking a 15-minute break to eat, parked the truck at the city’s Zumwalt Park and walked the cross throughout the corridor housing the county and city government facilities.

The people of Tulare are very friendly and though they had never seen a cross walker, most of them waved as I passed by, on my way to the Superior Courthouse building. Hoisting the large cross upright, I asked God to bless all justice personnel and to help the people of Tulare say no to drugs, gangs, violence and criminal activities. I asked the Lord to send a special revival to Tulare and bring many men, women, children, families and individuals to Jesus.

Praying For The Mayor, Councilmembers And City Personnel.

Walking a few steps to City Hall, I hoisted the cross and prayed for the mayor,  councilmembers and all city personnel, that they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Spoke with several people about the cross walk and shared that I was praying for their city. Each one was surprised that a stranger was praying for them and for their city.

PRAYING FOR TULARE’S THIN BLUE LINE

Praying For Tulare's Thin Blue Line, That's God's Thick Blue Line of Angelic Warriors Keep Them Safe From All Harm.

As I walked toward the Police Department building, I met Crystal, a young woman working for the city’s thin blue line. She is a believer  and was pleasantly surprised to see me. We talked for several minutes. I asked her what I should pray about concerning Tulare. Crystal shared that the city has a drug and gang problem and that it is a blighted and poor city.

We prayed for Tulare and for her family. Her grandfather had just passed away and, of course, there  was much sorrow among family members. I was impressed with her dedication to and love for Jesus, as well as how open and pleasant she was toward a stranger toting a large cross. She was an encouragement to this cross walker because of her open enthusiasm and excitement about the cross walk.

THE CROSS AND THE SCHOOLS

Johnny Is A Believer And Was On His Way To Work At A Church When He Saw Me.

After hoisting the cross and praying for Tulare’s police officers and personnel, I thanked Crystal for taking some pictures and walked several blocks to Tulare Union high school, which I had passed on my way to City Hall.

As I hoisted the cross and began to pray, a young man carrying a Bible came up to me and asked what I was doing. Told him I was praying for all the students of Tulare, that they say no to drugs, gangs, guns, violence and crime and YES to Jesus.

Johnny is an on-fire Christian and I enjoyed listening to his enthusiasm and excitement at seeing the large cross. We prayed for the kids of Tulare, and I prayed for Johnny, that God would bless him to be a blessing for all the people of this great little city. After talking for several minutes, we said good-bye and headed off in different directions, a smile on both our faces…and our faith.

THE CROSS AND THE CITY

A Beautiful Park To Hoist The Cross And Pray To An Awesome God For Great Revival In This Friendly And Great City.

Rounding out the cross walk, I headed for Zumwalt Park, hoisted the cross and prayed long and hard for all the people living in Tulare. I asked God to send forth a mighty revival throughout the city and to bring an overflowing abundance of souls to Jesus. I enjoyed this special prayer and felt His great presence as I interceded on the behalf of men, women and children living in this city.

As I headed toward the go-ye-mobile I noticed three young men in the park so I went over to talk with them. All are believers, and we had a great and wonderful time talking about Jesus, God’s great love and the cross walk. They were all amazed at the fact that a stranger would come to their city with a very large cross and pray for them. They offered me food, but I had to decline. I thanked them for their kindness and for the great conversation.

As I loaded the cross on the go-ye-mobile, these three young men kept watching and smiling big. Made me feel great, of course, As I drove off and toward the Freeway, we all waved at each other and gave the One Way Sign.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Today, in Tulare, a lot of people were reminded of this great and ultimate truth.  My prayer: God, because I was here today in Tulare, let the people of this city never be the same. Send your Spirit and bring these precious souls to Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of life. Amen. Glory to the King. \O/

Street Evangelist Tom Alexander Praying At Delano's City Hall.

SUMMER OF SALVATION (SOS) 2012 begins! In conjunction with Cross Walk California! Walking the cross throughout the cities of California. Today, the city I will cross walk is Delano, population 50,000 souls and about 30 miles north of Bakersfield. It’s been two years since I last visited this city. Everything seems the same. A friendly small-size city.

As I park the go-ye-mobile, people in their vehicles began to blow their horns in appreciation. Today, I will walk the entire perimeter of Delano, which will take some three hours. But what’s three hours when it comes to souls? Before I lower the large 10-foot, 60-pound cross on my  left shoulder, I ask the Lord of the Harvest to let everyone who sees the cross look upon it as His Plus Sign!

I also ask the Lord to transform the large cross into a spiritual plow. A spiritual plow that will break up the fallow ground of people’s hearts. That it breaks up the hardened, stony and thorny soil in their hearts as well and exposes the good ground so that His good Seed, the Word, finds a place to set, germinate and sprout up to eternal life! I tell the Lord of  the resurrection and the life that I will be His mule.

THE CROSS OF JESUS AS A SPIRITUAL MAGNET

This Enthusiastic Believer Asked For Prayer For Her Inmate Son.

I also ask God to transform the large cross into a spiritual magnet,  quoting back to Jesus His very words and one of my favorite Scriptures: “And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw (attract) all men unto Me” (John 12:32).

And then I walk. And, I let the cross do all the talking! And it does, speaking all the languages of the world, including Spanish, the main language of the majority of Delano’s residents.

As I walk the cross, many people come up and ask for prayer for a loved one or for themselves. The cross is doing its job: getting the attention of the people, revealing itself as God’s Plus Sign, acting like a spiritual magnet, and plowing up the ground of the hearts of hurting people.

THE BIGGEST GANG IN THE WORLD!

Hoisting The Cross And Praying For Delano's High School Students.

Hearts are mended. Lives are touched. People are breaking out with big smiles on their faith…and their faces. A touch of revival is taking place in this city best known as the dividing line for California’s two rival Hispanic gangs…La Familia (the family) and MM (Mexican Mafia). But today, the cross walk is representing the biggest gang in the world…God’s Gang of believers!

As I walk the cross throughout the downtown area, I hoist the cross at the Police Department and pray for Delano’s “thin blue line,” that God’s thick blue line of angelic warriors watch over and keep these men and women safe and secure as they execute their duty to serve and protect. I also hoist the cross at the small Courthouse and pray for the judges and all justice personnel, that they are safe as well as they make decisions which will effect people’s lives for years to come.

Three hours later, the cross walk is over. The job is done for today. But one thing is certain: because today the people of Delano got to see the large cross and a street evangelist praying for 50,000 souls, tomorrow will not be the same for so many!

Glory to the King \O/

As I was unloading the 10-foot, 60-pound cross, a man approached and asked if that was a cross. He was excited and shared that his son was mayor of McFarland, and that he and his son were true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We talked a few minutes, praising the Lord for His goodness to the city of  McFarland and its residents, then I walked to where City Hall and the Police Station were.

Praying at McFarland's City Hall and the Police Department.

Hoisting the cross upright at the small City Hall/Police Department complex, I prayed long and hard for the leaders of this small community and for its small force of dedicated police officers. The mayor’s dad came up to me again and watched as I prayed for the leaders of McFarland. I could sense that people inside the building were also watching. I asked God to bless this town’s leaders and police officers, and praised the Lord that, since my last walk here, the local Mexican Mafia (MM) gang problem had been dealt with. No longer did I see graffiti around the area, which was a big plus to law enforcement’s efforts to curtail this particular plight.

PRAYING FOR THE KIDS OF MCFARLAND

Praying For K-6th Graders at one of McFarland's Elementary Schools.

I then walked across the street and hoisted the cross upright at the entrance to the elementary school, and prayed long and hard for the K-6th graders, asking God to keep these kids off drugs, out of gangs and safe from all violence. I asked the Lord to bring them all to Jesus as well.  Kids watched, as did a few teachers and parents who were inside the administration building. I explained to a couple of parents what I was doing and their faces filled with surprise and happiness. They thanked me for praying for their children as well as the other students.

McFarland Has The Friendliest High Schoolers I've Ever Come Across And it Was A Great Pleasure To Hoist The Cross Upright And Pray For Kids.

After walking a few blocks a few blocks to where the high school was located, I hoisted the cross upright at the front entrance. I prayed long and hard for these 9th-12th graders, that they, too, would say no to drugs, gangs, guns and violence and YES to Jesus Christ. As I prayed out loud, several students watched and listened, including a bus load of kids waiting to be taken home. These kids pulled down the bus’ windows and started asking questions after I finished praying.

I explained why I was praying at their school, and their faces filled with joy and happiness. I have spoken to many, many youth after praying at their schools, but I’ve never seen such  courteous and polite students like these high schoolers. We had a pleasant talk before I lowered the large cross to my shoulder and headed for McFarland’s Middle School to pray as well.

As I Prayed For The 7th And 8th Graders, I Couldn't Help But Notice That This Was One Of The Cleanest Schools I've Come Across In California.

I then walked several long blocks to the town’s middle school, all the while talking to older students on their way home from school.  Several people in their vehicles honked their horns as they passed by. Reaching the front entrance to the middle school’s administration building, I hoisted the cross upright and prayed long and hard for these 7th and 8th graders, that they would also say no to drugs, gangs, guns and violence and YES to Jesus.

This is a beautiful school. Several parents watched as I also loudly prayed for the principal, teachers and all other school personnel, as well as the students’ parents. As I mentioned earlier, these kids are the friendliest I’ve ever met, and it was a great pleasure to pray for these kids.

REVIVAL TAKING PLACE IN THIS SMALL TOWN

Two years ago, I walked the cross in this small town. Graffiti was everywhere, and the atmosphere felt heavy as if some dark force was hovering over the community. I remember praying long and hard against this spiritual darkness and against the gang presence. Today, the city has really changed to the good. One of the city council members pulled over in his car, and we talked about this big difference.

He credits the radical change to prayer and deep involvement from local pastors and other believers. He is a Christian, as is the mayor and the mayor’s dad, who I first met as I stepped out of the go-ye-mobile. Lot of local believers have prayed long and hard for McFarland. And it most certainly has payed off! I am so happy to be a small part of this ongoing revival throughout this great little town.

Glory to the King \O/

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.

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?