One for the Cross planned in region on Palm Sunday

A One for the Cross event is planned on Palm Sunday, April 1, to benefit the Cross of Peace on Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.

One for the Cross started three years ago when the then-current board of directors thought of a day of prayer for the Bald Knob Cross organization, as well as the physical structure and grounds all of which had seen better days.

With the Easter sunrise service being an annual tradition since the 1930s, they decided to make Palm Sunday the day they would ask  churches and other groups in the region to make a special point to keep the Bald Knob Cross in focus.

That is how the One for the Cross campaign started. What would happen, they asked, if every Christian in the area gave just $1 in support of the Cross.

“This campaign, along with many others, helped raise the funds necessary to completely and totally restore the Bald Knob Cross structure itself from the terrible condition in which it had fallen,” said D.W. Presley, the president of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace.

 Back in the 1950s organizers of the cross turned down a large corporate donation.

Founders wanted “ownership” to belong with all people. Thousands gave what they could.

“That is the idea behind the One for the Cross campaign, one dollar from each church member on Palm Sunday, along with a commitment to keep the organization’s efforts in their prayers,” Presley said.

Now that the cross structure itself has been restored, the next goal is the purchase and installation of new lighting so that the cross can once again be illuminated at night.

When the cross was originally completed and lit, it could be seen from over 7,500 square miles at night.

“The hope is to be able to once again have the Bald Knob Cross lighted as a shining beacon and inspiration to thousands,” Presley said.

The board of directors released a plan in February which included using new state-of-the-art LED light fixtures, upgrading the electrical infrastructure and the installation of security cameras.

Over $65,000 of the estimated $80,000 has already been raised for the lighting project.

The donations from One for the Cross will be used entirely towards the relighting of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace.

“If your church or group is interested in participating in the One for the Cross campaign, brochures and more information can be found at <a href="http://www.baldknobcross.com">www.baldknobcross.com</a>,” Presley said.