Journey of faith: Saginaw youth carries cross to Washington, D.C.

By Annika McGinnis

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- As 19-year-old Junior Garcia turned the corner Friday and saw the White House, he looked just a little bit tired.

Maybe it was because he'd been walking 12 hours a day for 37 days straight, 35 to 40 miles a day.

Or maybe it was because of the 12-foot wooden cross he carried on his back.

On Friday morning, Garcia finished the daunting journey he started June 7: dragging a cross 1,400 miles from his home in Saginaw to Washington, D.C.

"The hardest part was probably the first five days," said Garcia, a recent Lake Worth High School graduate, said. "Day one in Texas it rained, so my feet got wet, and the bottom of my feet were covered in blisters."

But Garcia said his goal of bringing America back to God kept him going through all the difficult times.

"I did this for others, man," he said. "I just want them to see the same love I felt -- the forgiveness, the mercy, the love."

In front of the White House on Friday morning, Garcia led a prayer, surrounded by about 150 friends, family members and supporters, including about 60 people from The Oasis Church in Saginaw, Garcia's Pentecostal church.

"I pray for every leader of this nation, so Father, as they make decisions for our country, it's for your glory, Lord," Garcia said to clapping, cheering and crying supporters. Randy Lemme, the church's senior pastor, continued, calling this a "warning for America."

Garcia grew up in the church, but said he didn't really connect with God until he attended his college orientation last summer, where he saw "a lot of new things, a lot of acceptance of things" that made him question his faith.

"It was July 24th, and I remember just sitting in the pew and just breathing and envisioning Christ carrying the cross," Garcia said. He referred to Scripture telling disciples to take up the cross and follow him. "I didn't think it was going to be literal, but it was."

"Shy young man"

Once he had the idea, he went to Lemme. Described as a "very humble, shy young man" by his father, Garcia had only ever spoken about 10 words to the pastor before, Lemme said.

But Lemme was immediately supportive. His parents were, too, although his father, Jorge Garcia, admitted he was a bit worried.

To prepare, Garcia took crosses on test runs, walking around his town, said Rusty Rexroad, pastor of discipleship at his church. On the journey, Garcia was accompanied by various friends and family members, his father said.

Many people stopped to greet the travelers or give them drinks or money, Garcia's father said.

In Smithville, Tenn., he said, four churches of different denominations threw Garcia a welcoming party.

The group walked along the interstate through Texas and Arkansas, but in Tennessee, it was forced to take other roads for safety reasons. Garcia said it was a hidden blessing.

"The first day we got kicked off the interstate we were really upset, so we walked back roads and country roads, and that day we raised more money than the rest before," Garcia said. God "always has another plan, and his plan is always better."

Fighting for Jesus

Lemme said Garcia ended the journey spiritually stronger than he'd ever been -- physically, too.

"He's lean -- we call him the lean, mean, fighting machine for Jesus," Lemme said.

Many people have donated to Garcia's cause: He's raising $35,000 to buy a car for a missionary in Mexico, Rexroad said.

"He walks, so another missionary doesn't have to walk," Rexroad said.

On Friday, Garcia and his supporters finished their prayers with a traditional hymn, singing Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow.

This time, Garcia's heart led him to Washington.

But he said his personal journey isn't over yet.

"I'm just waiting to hear where he has me go next," Garcia said. "I don't think this is my last cross walk."

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