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Their cross to bear — for 33 miles

BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
by BILL BULEY
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | July 23, 2022 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — Robbie Walden enjoys walking. He enjoys it more when he's joined by a large crowd and they're carrying a cross.

Next weekend, Walden and his wife, Yvonne, will lead a 33-mile crosswalk in Coeur d'Alene.

"It is a great way for the body of Christ to come together in fellowship, while participating in a challenging event and spreading the Gospel," said Walden, a leader at Heart of the City church in Coeur d'Alene.

The walk is scheduled to start at 5 a.m. July 30 at Heart of the City, 772 W. Kathleen.

Walkers will take turns carrying a large, wooden cross as they make their way to Independence Point, on to Higgens Point and then heading back in time for the 6:06 p.m. service.

There will be stops for devotions, lunch and baptisms.

A truck with food, drink and medical supplies will follow along, as well, ready to give folks a lift.

"Not everyone can participate in all 33 miles," Robbie Walden said.

Walden, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was shot in Iraq on April 7, 2004.

Three surgeries later, he recovered enough to become a country singer.

His two most recent singles are "Take These Chains from Me" and "Tissues and a Bible.

Today, he and his wife are in full-time ministry and crosswalks are part of their faith.

Walden said crosswalks started more than a decade ago with an old Army teammate and friend, Billy Weatherall, in Bossier City, La., who started "Christ Fit," which included 100-mile crosswalks.

Next Saturday's walk won't be quite that long and is expected to take about 12 hours.

They'll be praying as they go, "over the city, region, state and country."

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