Former drug addict fosters faith-based reformation through carrying crosses 300 miles across NC

Brent Sellers was going down the wrong road for a long time.

There was run-of-the-mill alcohol and marijuana use in high school. Then opioids joined the party. Sometime after that, things spiraled out of control.

"I used to smoke $600 worth of crack a day, I was taking 187 Percocets a week," Sellers said. "I'm a Class 5 felon, broke into two churches, rode a moped for 22 years."

Needless to say, purpose and conviction were lacking. A steady career or a relationship wasn't in the cards and drugs had taken over any shot at peace-of-mind or a good life well into his 30s.

"The life that I was living was a lawless life," Sellers said. "I did not want to live anymore. I wanted to overdose. There was just no hope."

A lot has changed in the last 15 years for Sellers, who was born in Burgaw and raised in Knightdale. He now runs a ministry called 'I AM Outreach,' something he started in 2016.

Sellers entered a rehabilitation program at 38 and eventually married the woman who introduced him to it. Blossoming into a new person was so life-changing, he's trying to cultivate a faith-based reformation for other young men struggling with drug and alcohol-riddled lifestyles.

Stemming from that, Sellers is leading a group of about eight men through a crusade of sorts along the highway. He's calling it a 300-mile "cross walk." Many have emailed WRAL News with reports of seeing the team walk down Interstate 40 in recent weeks. The road warriors he leads have navigated countless storms, work zones and shaky terrain. Getting them on the right path is something he fells God called him to do.

Sellers said he and his team aren't in it for publicity, but they're glad others are noticing what's going on. Some have stopped along the way to offer prayers, food and invite the men to their churches. Plenty of cars honk in support. Some reunions have spawned. On Wednesday, a stepmother of one of the members pulled over to hug her stepson after not seeing him for years. Later, a construction worker stops to sign the cross and share his newfound sobriety with the team. The crosses are covered with other signatures and messages of support.

"This is to reach men with life-controlling issues that normally wouldn't have a chance for their recovery or their deliverance," Sellers said. "So we're going to go out there and walk these crosses and let the cross speak for itself."

Sellers has labored through the darkness, but now prefers to sweat through the bright summer days through his new mission, carrying crosses with a team of friends down the road to inspire change. Detours can lead to second chances and Sellers and his crew have found new highs.

Their journey started in Wise on July 4. On Wednesday morning, his team walked along I-40 East near NC 42 and the Wake County/Johnston County border. A Wake County sheriff's deputy was parked nearby and waved to the guys as they passed. Sellers said he got approval from an NCDOT representative to walk through the work zone in the area. On this day, they're aiming to go about 10 miles.

"When people find out what we're doing, they message us, text us, email us," Sellers said. "The response is numerous people writing letters to us, inviting us to their churches."

Sellers estimates each of the three crosses weigh around 50 pounds. They're made of PVC pipe. Each of the men walking take turns while others help with water and snacks, monitoring their safety from a van that leads the way. Sellers is usually behind them in his truck with his hazard lights on to warn approaching drivers.

In 2020, Sellers walked 500 miles with a cross from Cherokee to Manteo. This time around, the hope is to have the trip wrapped up by early September. The end of the road is Southport.

"We're just hoping to give hope to the people who come by," said Joseph Robinson, a 21-year-old Knightdale man who considers Sellers a mentor. "A lot of times, people on the side of the road may not see a lot of hope. We're here to say here's a glimpse of hope."

Sellers hopes it's a walk to remember for him and many others. It's their cross to bear, shouldering the load on the shoulder of the highway.

You can keep up with the group's progress at the ministry's website.