Key Takeaways
- Arthur Blessitt, a dedicated Christian preacher, passed away on January 14, 2025.
- His son, Joel, reminisced about Arthur’s influential legacy and their shared experiences.
- Throughout his journey, he covered over 43,000 miles across 324 nations, island groups, and territories.
Arthur Blessitt, a traveling Christian preacher renowned for carrying a cross through every nation of the world, passed away on January 14, 2025.
His passing left the Denver community and his vast circle of family and friends in mourning.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Denise Irja Brown; seven children – Gina, Joel, Joy, Joshua, Joseph, Jerusalem, and Sophia – along with twelve grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and his sister Virginia.
In the wake of his passing, tributes and condolences flooded in. His heartfelt post on Facebook stated:
Comments from the community reflect the deep impact of his life’s work, with one writing:
Prayer for your family and all that will carry your memories in their hearts. Rest In Peace Arthur Blessitt 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Via Facebook
Another added:
Blessings to you and condolences to the family. You did wonderful things on this earth. Enjoy your rest.
Via Facebook
The third shared:
We loved you so… I know you’re having an incredible time in Heaven!!!! Love you!💜💜💜💜💜
Via Facebook
Arthur’s son, Joel, also shared his thoughts, reminiscing about their experiences and his father’s inspiring legacy. His post read:
Arthur’s life story touched many, including one particularly moved individual who shared their personal memories, writing:
Oh my goodness, I’ve just read that Arthur Blessitt has departed this earth and has gone to his well deserved eternal reward. It was an honour to have met with him and to have walked the Falls and the Shankill with him. One phone call from me to his home in the USA, and he was with us within weeks for CU@ theCross between the Dividing Gates in Belfast. He was the first person I ever saw carry a cross when he passed me when I was a young Christian. I had no idea that we would walk the same street years later while carrying a cross, and that he would inspire me to carry a cross many times around Belfast and even across the USA.
Via Facebook
Arthur’s remarkable journey resonated with countless individuals who found solace, inspiration, and strength in his dedication.
His willingness to share his faith so openly encouraged others to explore their own beliefs and how they might also make a difference.
Arthur Blessitt’s Enduring Legacy: Crossing Borders with a Cross
Arthur Blessitt’s legacy is about more than just his journey carrying a cross around the world.
Starting his mission in 1969, Blessitt dedicated over fifty years to walking with a cross, visiting every country, and spreading messages of hope and love.
During the Cold War, he carried his cross through the Soviet Union, the Baltic States, and many other countries, including Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Mongolia.
In his extensive travels, he encountered a variety of notable personalities, from political leaders to key figures in the Christian community, such as Billy Graham and George W. Bush.
Christians are the only people who can grieve and rejoice at the same time. Our dear friend Arthur Blessitt, affectionately known as the "Minister of the Sunset Strip," has left this earth on his final journey! pic.twitter.com/HHoypOtJGB
— TBN (@TBN) January 14, 2025
Blessitt claimed to have covered over 43,000 miles (69,202 km) across 324 nations, island groups, and territories, and he also journeyed across every ocean and walked on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
Recognized in the Guinness World Records 2015 for the longest ongoing global pilgrimage, his endeavors have encouraged many to undertake similar journeys of faith and service.
Besides his travels, Blessitt’s journey has been captured in films such as “The Cross Museum of Arthur and Denise Blessitt” (2014), “Arthur: A Pilgrim” (1988), and “The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt Story” (2009), directed by Matthew Crouch.
Through these, his story and the lessons of kindness and faith he promoted will continue to inspire people everywhere.
His legacy lives on as a reminder of the power one person has to make a difference in the world through acts of faith, courage, and compassion.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Arthur Blessitt was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on October 27, 1940, to Arthur Blessitt, Sr. and Mary Virginia Campbell.
- He embraced Christianity at the age of seven and started his preaching career in Hollywood, California, in the late 1960s, where he became widely known as the “Minister of Sunset Strip.”
- Blessitt’s personal life included a marriage to Sherry Anne Simmons in 1963, with whom he had six children. He later married Denise Irja Brown in 1990, and they adopted a child named Sophia.
