ORU Alum Walks 24,901 Miles For Ministry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 25, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu
 
What:   Keith Wheeler carries the cross the distance of the equator
When:  Thursday, October 25, 2018 5pm
Where: Starts at the Praying Hands
 
Tulsa, OK - Evangelist and missionary Keith Wheeler began his unorthodox ministry at Oral Roberts University in 1985, walking where he felt God was calling him, always carrying a large wooden cross on his shoulder. On October 25, 2018, Wheeler will achieve a milestone once more at ORU by completing a lifetime distance of 24,901 miles—the distance of the equator.
 
"I had no dreams or ideas or intuition that I was doing anything besides walking through Tulsa on Good Friday," Wheeler said about that first day. "It was an act of obedience. My prayer that first day was, 'Lord, please don't let anyone see me. I'm going to obey you as best as I can, but please don't make me talk to anyone!'"
 
On that first day, Wheeler skipped class to set out from the Graduate Center fountain for a day of walking around Tulsa. After graduating with his M.Div in 1988, Wheeler has since carried the cross in over 175 countries and on every continent. He has no formal program or itinerary, but instead trusts that God will bring about the encounters that need to take place. Wheeler also makes a point only to engage with curious people who approach him first.
 
"Oral Roberts University was founded on the power of the Holy Spirit and on a commission to go 'to the uttermost bounds of the earth,'" said Laura Bishop, Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations. "Keith Wheeler has been a phenomenal ambassador for the University and, more importantly, for Christ. We couldn't be more excited that he's chosen to celebrate this equatorial milestone on our campus."
 
Wheeler plans to start at the Praying Hands located at the west entrance of the campus. From there, he will carry the cross to the Graduate Center to complete his 24,901st mile.
 
"I don't know if I would've started this journey if I'd known how hard it was and how painful it would be," Wheeler said. "God often lets us start things in the dark so we don't give up before we get started."
 
"But now I get to sit on the front row of what Jesus is doing in the world today."