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By Donna Bumgarner
Contributing Writer
Dark clouds loomed overhead, and rain threatened the cancellation of the 8th Annual Good Friday Cross Walk sponsored by the Whitmire Ministerial Association. However, that did not stop twelve brave people who walked the streets and roads of Whitmire to demonstrate their love for Jesus and his willingness to die for them on the cross at Calvary. Ranging in age from 14 to 86, the walkers took turns carrying a small replica of the cross that Jesus was forced to carry to Golgotha and shared the scriptures and prayed for our nation, state, and town.
Three pastors, several young people, and one very determined senior citizen, Dot Williamson, began their walk at the parking lot of Whitmire Presbyterian Church and made their way to their second stop at Whitmire United Methodist Church, where a prayer of praise was lifted up to the Lord for bearing the burden of our sins. As they made their way to the Methodist Church and each of the stops after that one, the van from First Baptist Church drove behind them, in front of them, or beside them to make sure that the drivers on the road would slow down until they passed. Some motorists were very understanding, and they quietly waited for the group to move on. Others were more impatient and hurriedly went on their way.
Shortly after the walk began, so did the rain. At first it only sprinkled, then the rain fell from the sky. The sun was not shining, but the rain that fell seemed like “liquid sunshine” sent by God; it brightened the spirits of the walkers and made the conditions bearable. Amy Andrews, the youngest walker, said, “Many people think we’re idiots to go out here in the rain, but after everything He’s been through, it’s the least we can do.”
As the small band of believers moved along, they made stops at Sims Chapel, Restoration Covenant Ministries, Loves Chapel Holiness, First Church of God, Friendship Baptist Church, Pentecostal Holiness, Evans Street Church of God, and Heritage Wesleyan. The roads were hard to traverse, the hills were steep, and the walk took its toll on some of the walkers. That did not stop them from continuing their journey. When a walker lagged behind, someone was there to help them continue.
As the group neared the end of their walk, they headed down Railroad Avenue to the Lighthouse, City Hall, and St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church. The final stop was First Baptist Church at the end of Main Street. There the walkers prayed the Lord’s Prayer and left to go back to their daily lives. From noon until shortly after 2:00 p.m., they had put aside their busy lives and taken the time to show others how much they loved the Lord.
Several of the walkers were participating for the first time, and they paused to reflect about the events of the afternoon before they went home.
Faye Tillotson said, “This is the first time I’ve been able to participate, but it has really been a blessing. I hope I’ll be able to next year. I think the things Whitmire is doing (through the multiple churches) has been enlightening. We have six churches that have participated in the Lenten Services. I have really enjoyed them.”
Geneva Ware, another first - time walker, agreed and said that it was exciting. She also added,“ It was very anointing. It lets you know how you need to be close to the Lord. It reminds you how you need to be close to the Lord in times like these. It also showed me that it takes all of us. Where there is unity, there’s strength. If we pray together, we will come out together.”
Eighty-six year old Dot Williamson, the oldest of the walkers commented to another walker, “I’m not doing it to show off. I’m doing it because I love the Lord.” Dot has walked for the last eight years, and she has endured many cloudy skies, but that does not keep her from serving her Lord and Savior and sharing her testimony through her actions.
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