TBN Presents "The Cross," the Exciting True Story of Cross-Carrying Global Evangelist Arthur Blessitt, Friday, February 27th

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Feb 24, 2015, 11:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Friday, February 27th Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world's largest Christian network and America's favorite faith-and-family channel, will air the award-winning feature-length film The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt Story. The big-screen, family-friendly movie, produced and directed by TBN Vice President Matthew Crouch, documents with drama and adventure one man's four-decade global quest to share the simple message of the gospel with as many individuals, communities, and nations as possible.

On Christmas Day 1969, Arthur Blessitt, a simple street evangelist sharing the gospel on tough and gritty Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California, began a 3,000-mile hike from the West Coast to Washington, D.C., carrying a 12-foot, 45-pound rugged wooden cross on his back. His only focus was to share with all he met what that cross symbolized: the forgiveness, hope, and healing all can find through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Arthur's initial trek across the U.S. turned into a 40-year mission of carrying that symbolic cross, the universal emblem of God's unconditional love for humanity, on foot across all seven continents (including Antarctica), through 315 nations, island groups, and territories, over every imaginable terrain — 38,102 miles in all — to share the gospel with everyone he met. "Through it all I was compelled by God's love," explained Arthur, "to simply share Jesus with everyone who crossed my path and to offer peace to everyone God brought to me."

Along the way, Arthur met with prime ministers, presidents, and Pope John Paul II, and even ministered with Dr. Billy Graham. He was also arrested over 20 times, faced execution at the hands of guerrillas in Central America, and was in danger more times than he can remember. "I never knew how these journeys would end or if I would live through them," recalled Arthur. "But my calling was clear and I trusted God to carry me through."

In 2009, after Arthur completed his final cross-country journey, he and Matthew Crouch teamed up, poring through decades of 8 millimeter film, video, news stories, interviews, and countless photographs to sculpt the unforgettable and moving account of Arthur's decades of sharing Christ in every corner of the world. "Working with Arthur to produce The Cross was a life-changing experience for me personally," said Mr. Crouch. "Since its release, this powerful movie has had the same impact on those who have viewed it and shared in the life of this man known the world over as the 'Pilgrim With the Cross.'"

Tune in Friday, February 27th, at 7 p.m. Pacific Time (9 p.m. Central, 10 p.m. Eastern), for the unforgettable film The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt Story, exclusively on TBN. The film will also be rebroadcast Monday, March 2nd, at 2 p.m. Pacific (4 p.m. Central, 5 p.m. Eastern).

And don't miss Arthur Blessitt's weekly half-hour inspirational program The Message of the Cross every Monday at 11 p.m. Pacific (1 a.m. Central, 2 a.m. Eastern) exclusively on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Media Contact
Colby May
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Tel: 972-313-9500

SOURCE Trinity Broadcasting Network