Cross carried through desert
A Valley church spent Good Friday in Jesus’s footsteps, carrying a cross over 8 miles to reenact what happened over 2,000 years ago and also remind the community of the power of forgiveness.
“For Jesus, for the cross, for our suffering, for his pain, for his love, for his wisdom, for his justice, and for his glory, all for Jesus,” said Reverend Rodney Corley who was carrying the cross.
Corley of San Diego is one of 6 pastors to carry the wooden cross and wear the crown of thorns along Palm Drive.
“It’s a glorious time and I am rejoiced, to be apart of the reenactment of our savor Lord Jesus Christ, Amen,” said Corley.
The cross was carried over 8 miles from Vista Chino in Palm Springs to the First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs, the organizer of the event.
“I just love it, it’s encouraging for me actually,” said onlooker Felcia Parker.
“My body got shaky, I don’t know why,” said resident Mimi Everett.
Cars pulled over to get a closer look and some people jogged along side before going on with their day.
“What other place but in the valley, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.'” said Corley.
“That was beautiful. It’s good to see these kind of things because the world is getting bad,” said Everett.
This is the church’s fifth year walking with the cross, but the first time the reenactment begin in Palm Springs. It’s a longer journery with a message the church says is now more important then ever before.
“The violence that is taking place is a reflection of what is happening in our society and we need people who are willing to take a stand. Who are willing to make a statement, who are willing to say there is something else other than, there are alternatives. For us, the cross is a reminder of the alternative to violence,” said First Community Baptist Church Pastor Tahlib McMicheaux.
McMicheaux wants people to see the cross as a symbol of hope regardless of faith.
“If the don’t embrace the ideals, if they just embrace the forgiveness then that’s a starting place,” saidMcMicheaux.
“It brings hope that something can actually change in our lifetime,” said Parker.
