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When Ray Pratt became pastor at Landmark Church of God more than five years ago, he wanted to signify Jesus Christ’s last steps before his crucifixion on the hill of Calvary more than 2,000 years ago.

“We wanted to get the young people involved,” Pratt said. “They said, ‘Hey, we want to carry a cross to represent what Christ did for us.’

“It’s taken off from there and grown every year,” he said.

Saturday morning, the youth, along with Pratt and other adults from Landmark met in front of Goodwill on West Andrew Johnson Highway to make the three-mile walk to the church to symbolize Christ’s final journey.

“We reflect back to what Jesus did for us (during the walk),” Pratt said. “We thought about how he carried the cross even in the most difficult time. It didn’t matter how bad it was or how much it hurt, he continued to carry on. What we want to reflect back on is how much he loved us and cared for mankind that he was willing to carry regardless of how he felt.”

Pratt appreciates all of those in the church who participated in the walk.

“They’ve come out in spite of the way the weather is,” he said. “It’s cool, damp, it may rain while we start our walk. We thought about that if Jesus could go and do what he did, and it was a lot harder that what we’re going to do, that we can do this.”

Pratt and the church sent a message to the community that the cross walk is a message of love.

“As we carry our cross, maybe they will think back about more than 2,000 years ago, a man named Jesus loved them enough to carry his cross,” he said.

The walk offered all kinds of terrain, uphill, downhill and flat surfaces.

Landmark Church of God is located at 334 Montvue Avenue in Morristown, near Morristown-Hamblen High School East. Sunday worship services are at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Video of this event is available at www.citizentribune.com.