Arthur Blessitt believes God called him to carry the cross in every nation of the world. He is closing in on that goal.

"I don't see myself as a radical," said Blessitt, 57. "I am simply obeying the call of Jesus and witnessing to people along the way. I think that's a very normal life."

Since 1969, Blessitt has carried his 40-foot cross, equipped with a small wheel on the end, through every continent and almost every country. Three nations remain, and Blessitt plans to visit them by 2000.

Most recently he completed trips into Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Afghanistan. In each nation except Afghanistan, where he stayed for only a few hours, people were curious and received him warmly.

Traveling through Iran during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Blessitt and his wife Denise, who accompanies him on all the walks, encountered no interference. "Everyone was friendly to us--not one bad word or gesture," he said. "The cross is well-accepted in Muslim nations," Blessitt said. Because the word "Christian" carries negative connotations for many Muslims, Blessitt refers to himself as a "follower of Jesus," he said. "When they ask you what that is, you can give them the pure gospel and they respect it and want to know more."

Blessitt received his call to carry the cross during the Jesus People era. While preaching among the youth flocking to Southern California, Blessitt opened a coffee shop on Sunset Strip in Hollywood. In September 1969, Blessitt said God told him to take the cross off the wall and carry it across America. "It was as if to say, 'Jesus is not on the wall. He wants to be with the people. We can have the presence of God in us,'" Blessitt said.

For 28 years, Blessitt has carried the cross on foot for 32,000 miles through 273 nations. He has been arrested 24 times, been threatened by firing squads in South America, survived stonings and beatings in Africa, and was choked by police in Los Angeles, he said. He has been attacked by baboons in Kenya, chased by elephants in Tanzania, threatened by crocodiles in Zimbabwe, and had a close call with a Green Mamba snake in Ghana.