Pastor Daniel

On Wednesday July 5th, 2023 setting at my desk in the Wetzel Chronicle office expecting to see and hear the usual sight and sounds of emergency vehicles traveling by, the unexpected happened. As I looked out the window at the traffic I saw a man walking along Rt 2, carrying a cross. He was moving in 90 degree heat at a rather fast pace. I noticed he was dressed in long pants and wearing a ball cap.

I decided to try and catch up with him and maybe help him in some way while also picking up a story. I got my camera ready and jumped in the car. By the time I caught up with him he was in the Brooklyn section of town close to the old L.G. Wright building.

I pulled off and motioned for him and he crossed the highway where we got into a nice conversation about his mission and travels. He was a polite gentleman who told me he didn’t need anything, yet he did accept what I offered.

His mission is to carry the cross throughout the land as a symbol of the hard work that Jesus did with the cross, and speak the Gospel of Jesus to those willing to listen. He also made it known he wouldn’t try to force it on anyone. He said he had been in East Palestine, Ohio yesterday praying with the people up there who went through the recent train wreck.

I asked him his name and he said he is Pastor Daniel Byrd from Delaware, although his family originated in Virginia and West Virginia, which he called the most beautiful state he has traveled through. According to Pastor Dan he believes he is a distant relative of former U.S Senator Robert Byrd. He has been carrying the cross for 13 years and has traveled thousands of miles on foot. He spoke about stopping along the way to talk and pray with folks who he said were sick with cancer and other diseases. He carries a bottle of oil with him and uses it to annoint the sick while praying for their healing, saying he’s seen many miracles as a result.

Pastor Daniel said, “I don’t worry where I’ll sleep, or when I’ll eat, I leave that all up to the good Lord who provides all things. My main concern is to draw attention to the burden Christ suffered and to reach out to those who don’t have a personal relationship with him.

“We are so near the end days and Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars, terrible things are happening and I want people to be ready. I enjoy talking with people, and praying for everyone I come into contact with.” “I have seen so many people who have been healed from their ailments and disease. Our God is an awesome God who is in control of everything. Get ready is the message, he’s coming back!”

Pastor Daniel started his crusade in 2011 after reading a book about another man who had taken a journey carrying the cross and the word around the country. He said he felt led to pick up where the other guy left off and carry on the work.

On this trip he is headed for the Viginia coast and from there he has plans to go in one of two directions. Either towards North Carolina and on to Tennessee and Kentucky, or take the other way and walk the coast up to Maine.

Daniel said throughout the 13 plus years and thousands of miles he has been able to mostly avoid trouble, conflict or critizism. “It’s best to just turn away from confrontation. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not afraid, never have been and I believe the Lord has protected me from many dangers, but if it came down to a challenge of my faith or violence, I would accept the challenge, knowing God would protect me from all harm.”

“I understand there are many different religions, views and positions on religion, But, Jesus said there would be trials and tribulations in this world and to not be afraid for he would be there with you always. He also said there is only one way to heaven and that is through him. “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

As we said are farewells Daniel offered a prayer for my wife and I and I accepted his offer as he pulled out a bottle of anointing oil and poured a drop on a piece of our clothing asking for healing and good health. With that he went on his way, in hopes of making it to St. Marys by night fall. That would have been about 45 miles of walking and carrying the cross in extreme heat and high humidity in a days time. He said he has walked as far as 65 miles in a days time, but as he has gotten older he has slowed down somewhat. And with a grin he said when he runs into people like me, it cuts into his travel time. Then with a God Bless you, he was on his way!