SPAIN — The day dawned overcast but dry as Crossworld worker Mark laced up his hiking boots and packed his backpack for his first day on the Camino de Santiago. He joined the circle of his fellow hikers and greeted each one.

Mark’s walking club from Ireland had traveled together to Spain to complete the multi-day hike known as a spiritual pilgrimage to the cathedral in Santiago, where the remains of the apostle James are rumored to be buried.

Most of the 11 Irish hikers with Mark were not believers. Nevertheless, many of them saw this trip as a time for personal reflection.

“Can I pray before we set out?” Mark asked the group. That set the precedent, and each morning after, the group formed a circle, shushed each other, and waited for Mark to pray before they left.

One day they stopped in a church along the trail. “Look at this stone carving of the empty tomb and resurrection,” Mark pointed out.

How do you know that’s what it’s depicting?” asked Bridget, a fellow hiker.

“There’s an angel sitting on a rock, and there’s three women looking into the tomb,” Mark said. “The Bible says the women were the first ones to the tomb and found Jesus’ body was gone. An angel met them and asked, ‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen!’”

“I’ve never heard that story!” Bridget replied.

Mark smiled at the privilege to be the first to tell her the story of Jesus’ empty tomb.

On another evening, the group sat in a pub after a long day of hiking. Knowing Mark to be a pastor in Ireland, a man named Cormac asked, “Do you listen to confessions from people in your church?”

“I listen when someone needs to talk,” Mark said. “I pray for them and give them counsel, but I cannot forgive their sins. No man can do that. Only God can forgive sin. That’s why Jesus went to the cross — to pay the penalty for our sin. We only need to pray directly to Jesus for forgiveness.”

Heads slowly nodded from people pondering but not disagreeing. Cormac sat back and gave a small sigh, as if relieved by the answer.

On the tenth day of walking, the group arrived in Santiago — pilgrimage complete.

Mark reflected: “It was my privilege to walk with them and endure the hardships so that I might have the chance to share with them that Jesus is the Way. I do believe Christ is revealing himself to them. These are dear people who are seeking God yet are not following the true Way. Please pray that they will follow Jesus.”

Upon returning to Ireland, two of Mark’s fellow walkers started attending a Bible study with him! They’re engaging every week and are excited to learn something new each time. Pray for Jesus to reveal himself to them as they read and study Scripture.

The people in this story are real, but some names have been changed to protect their privacy.