Christian who carried cross over 5,000 miles visits Dursley (From Gazette Series)

Christian evangelist Lindsay Hamon who has walked over 5,000 miles and visited 19 countries while carrying a 12ft cross visits Dursley

8:30am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

A CHRISTIAN evangelist who has walked over 5,000 miles and visited 19 countries while carrying a 12ft cross arrived in Dursley this week.

Lindsay Hamon, 60, from Cornwall, walked from Thornbury Baptist Church to stay with Dursley Methodist Church minister the Rev Simon Helme on Tuesday, March 19, on the latest section of his journey from Bristol to Malvern.

The grandfather has crossed the globe with the 25kg cedar cross over 26 years, visiting places like New Zealand, South East Asia, Russia and Bangladesh to spread God’s word and has met thousands of people on his gruelling trail.

Mr Hamon explained to the Gazette why he did it.

"It’s a symbol of how much God loves you and the message of Jesus," he said.

"I really believe God loves you and the cross is a sign backing that up. People either think I am crazy or that there is a reason why I am doing it."

The grandfather rarely knows where he will be staying next but said that offers of accommodation were always offered and he had everything he needed in the webbing he carries with him.

"Yes I am vulnerable but it is something that makes you more accessible to people," he said.

"You always get a reaction from people, some stop and pray with me and some tell you very personal things."

The father-of-two spends most of the year on his treks but goes back to his Camborne home where he works as a part-time carer to ensure bills are paid.

He said it can be quite taxing and that the blisters and hip pain can take their toll but takes rests when he needs to and has no thoughts of stopping as he plans for his next overseas trip to Cambodia.

As we went to press, Mr Hamon hoped to reach Stroud when he set off on Wednesday morning, March 20.

"Your body can only take so much, I am not walking to suffer, I think Jesus has done that for us already," he said.

"People say I should slow down but I say why? I do not want to stop, the world is out there."