Grand Island group walks 5.2 miles with cross on Good Friday

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - - A group of people in central Nebraska are commemorating Good Friday with a special cross walk. 

It's happened every year since Tom Mason started it in 1991. Ed Medbery coordinated it for the next 30 years. Now, his kids and grandkids are taking over. 

"We really want people to stop and take a moment and reflect on what this season means to him," Medbery. " It’s great that the kids can find Easter eggs with candy and everything like that, but the real reason is our savior was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of us, all of us.”

On Friday, they met at the Fiesta Latina parking lot on South Locust St., prayed and started the 5.2-mile walk ending on Capital Avenue. 

Anyone can carry the cross.

Danny Medbery says it gets heavy after a while, even though the cross has wheels. 

“I also do it to just kind of help myself, just to ask for forgiveness from God. I’m a sinner, I’m not perfect so I do things wrong all year long, every year. It’s kind of my way – it’s my time to ask for forgiveness,” Medbery said. 

This is David Stoltenberg's third year doing the cross walk. He says it was a life changing moment when he came into faith at 15 years old.

“That was the day I asked Jesus Christ into my heart. And ever since, life to me had purpose, meaning and it was more understanding,” Stoltenberg said. 

For Stoltenberg, carrying the cross is not only an honor but a reminder that Jesus Christ died for his sins. 

NCN: "How do you feel now?"

“Nothing compared to what he went through,” said Stoltenberg.