Inspired by Normandy: The Easter Cross Witness
In 1984, on a family trip to Europe, Bruce Fogerty visited the Normandy American cemetery. Thousands of white crosses stretched out before him marking the graves of fallen US soldiers. The historic cemetery, which he had previously seen only in photographs, was a solemn sight to witness in person. He remembers, “White crosses for as far as the eye could see stretched out before me. Each demarking the gravesite of a soldier who had fallen while fighting, confronting, and ultimately defeating evil personified, Adolph Hitler and the third Reich. This picture was seared into my memory forever, and a future witness utilizing small white crosses was born.”
From that visit, Bruce had an idea and twenty years later The Easter Cross Witness was created to testify to the truth of three simple words- “He is risen!” Simple white crosses, like those at the graves of Normandy, can be displayed in front yards or apartment windows. However, these crosses have been created to testify to the biggest event that ever took place in world history; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter Cross Witness is a public display of faith and an opportunity for those who believe to celebrate during the Easter season by simply displaying the white cross as a symbol and acknowledgment of the Risen Christ.
Since it was created in 2005, The Easter Cross Witness has grown and crosses have been displayed in almost forty states and over thirty different denominations have participated. What a representation of a community of believers that are professing their faith in the Risen Lord through a visible witness of celebration. It’s a symbol of unity during the Easter season.
From the graves of Normandy to the yards of a church or home the cross represents sacrifice but it is also a symbol of freedom. Our Founders put in place the Freedom of Religion so that we might be able to live out our Faith and testify to the perfect sacrifice this world has ever witnessed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This story is just a great representation of the freedom in this country that we should cherish in being able to publicly testify (even through something as simple as a visible yard cross) to our belief in a living God.
The cross is hope, joy, and freedom for God is Not Dead.
He is Risen and It is Finished!
To learn more about The Easter Cross Witness go to www.eastercross.org or like them on their Facebook page Easter Cross Witness.
