Project members hiked and camped for 93 miles along the trail, followed by a week of intensive, practical ministry training. The trip would change us, promised John O'Neal, director of Agape's campus ministry, as it has travelers throughout history. As pilgrims walked, they exchanged ideas about life, art and customs. John first encountered El Camino in 1998, when he hiked the trail with a group of students. In May 1999, he led Agape's efforts to convert a house along the trail into a refuge, naming it the Pilgrim's Fountain.
Travelers get free coffee, clean showers and a dry bed.
Beside meeting physical needs, Agape workers help to meet the spiritual hunger of pilgrims. They pass out an evangelistic booklet which redirects walkers from Jesus' disciple, James, to Jesus Himself. Note cards list a psalm to ponder for each kilometer of the hike. Pilgrims could even borrow a portable tape player. Along the trail, an eight-inch streak of yellow, painted on buildings or stones, pointed pilgrims toward the city.