"I originally began carrying the cross in 1986 in the town of Milpitas, California."
Mr. Johnson fashioned his first cross from 86 pounds of oak. At first, he carried it around San Jose, Calif., and the Bay Area on the weekends, off Friday through Sunday from his job.
In 1999, Mr. Johnson sold his belongings, gave up a home and decided to take the cross cross-country.
"I'm reminding people they need God in their lives," said Mr. Johnson, who stopped relying on maps a while ago. "I've got a story for every state and every city. It's whatever God provides every day."
