May 23, 2006

ELGIN, IL – "The Walk Across America for Jesus Christ is rounding third base and heading for home in northern West Virginia," announced Don Vermilyea. The walk "is over for now, for at least a year," he said. "It may be done forever, it may not."

Vermilyea, a Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) worker, began to walk across the US on Feb. 2, 2002, with the goal of walking to every Church of the Brethren congregation that extended an invitation. The walk has been sponsored by BVS and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Having walked from coast to coast on a route that criss-crossed the country from Arizona to Washington and from North Dakota to Florida, with many stops in between, Vermilyea is ending the walk...for now. "I am whupped and wore out," he said, "I can't tell you how much I need a rest. I need to be in one place for awhile."

"It's been a tremendous journey for Don and for all of us," said BVS director Dan McFadden. "He has made connections with congregations on a personal level that many of us would like to do if we had the time. I don't know if there is a way to measure the impact of the walk, both on local congregations and the denomination."

The walk has been "about Jesus Christ," Vermilyea said. On the way, he has spent more than four years on the road, has walked more than 19,172 miles, has visited and made presentations in numerous congregations of the Church of the Brethren and other denominations, has raised close to $8,000 for hunger and disaster relief in money picked up along the road and in donations, and has spent more than 730 nights "homeless" and more than 820 nights "cared for by humanity."

"Many thanks to the many who have loved me across the USA," he said. "I wouldn't have made it this far without your greetings, hospitality, gifts, prayers, and love. It has been my pleasure and my blessing to spend time with y'all."

Vermilyea's walk is continuing through Virginia and West Virginia. He plans to end the walk in mid-June in Burlington, W.Va., where he will stay with friends while he rests and recuperates.

Scheduled stops include Harness Run Church of the Brethren in Burlington on June 4.

Vermilyea will continue to visit congregations on his walking route or close to it, as he is invited, on a "first come, first served" basis. He also welcomes walking partners, anyone who wants to help carry his backpack, and overnight hosts.

To contact him, leave a message on his voice mail care of the Church of the Brethren General Board at 800-323-8039 ext. 239. For more information go to http://www.brethren.org/genbd/witness/Walk.html.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.

Church of the Brethren Newsline