Planting of the
Cross
Cape Henry in Virginia Beach, Virginia
The year was 1607. It was a cool day on April 26th when
a group of weary travelers dropped anchor in the
Chesapeake Bay. These courageous explorers braved the
long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of a
dream. Others had tried and failed, but this time, it
was different. Their mission was from God.
“This western discovery will be greatly for the
enlargement of the Gospel of Christ …”(1584 Rev.
Richard Hakluyt) King James recorded in the legal
document known as the Virginia Charter… “We, greatly
commending and graciously accepting of their desires to
the furtherance of”…“Christian religion to such
people as yet live in darkness...”(1st Virginia
Charter April 10, 1606) A great light was about to dawn
on a new era in history.
The settlers’ mission was not an easy one, as they faced
opposition from the beginning of their expedition.
Unexpected storms, delayed their departure from the
English Channel. Shortly, after arriving in Virginia,
they suffered an immediate attack from the natives.
Consequently, Robert Hunt, a humble clergyman from
England, instructed that three days of prayer and
fasting be observed in repentance for sins and in
preparation for the dedication of the land!
On April 29th, crew members took timbers from their ship
to construct a makeshift cross. Dragging it ashore, they
planted the cross firmly in the sand. Kneeling in
humility, Pastor Robert Hunt prayed to dedicate the new
world to God. His prayer that the Gospel would be
preached from these shores to the uttermost parts of the
earth established a monumental covenant with God that
laid the foundation for the birth of a nation founded on
Christ!
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