Noah Hajdu told Newsmax that his daily mission of carrying a 130-pound wooden cross is rooted in a simple goal: leading young people back to Jesus Christ after experiencing a dramatic renewal of his own faith following years of physical setbacks and spiritual struggle.

Appearing on Newsmax's "Finnerty" Monday night, the 23-year-old college baseball player said he has spent nearly two months carrying the cross for more than a mile each day as part of Operation Carry the Cross, an outreach he founded to support church and campus ministries.

"I've definitely been doing this for a while now," Hajdu said. "Sometimes I lose track of the days, but we've gone over 70 miles, and I believe we're on day 60 tomorrow."

Hajdu said the effort began after reflecting on how he drifted away from Christianity while attending Lafayette College, a path he now hopes other young people can avoid.

The transition to college left him focused on athletics and campus life rather than his relationship with God, Hajdu said.

"As a college student, obviously, I mean, freshman, sophomore year, you're kind of — it's a big jump from high school into somewhere where you're probably in a state that you didn't grow up," he said. "For me, I went to Lafayette College, and I mean, I lost my faith entirely."

That changed after a serious knee injury abruptly sidelined Hajdu from baseball and forced him to reevaluate the direction of his life.

"I had an injury in my knee, and that kind of woke me up to Christ and basically grounded myself in my faith once again," he said.

Hajdu said he believes God's healing power enabled him to recover from three knee surgeries and three years of rehabilitation and return to the sport he loves.

"I wholeheartedly believe that the Lord healed me," he said. "After three surgeries on my left knee and three years of physical therapy, I just took up my own cross and somehow my knee healed itself."

Hajdu said he plans to continue carrying the cross when he begins playing baseball at Salve Regina University, adding that several of his teammates have already embraced the ministry and want to help spread its message on campus.

Although the overwhelming response has been positive, Hajdu acknowledged that some people have reacted angrily during his walks, yelling profanities and mocking his public display of faith.

Asked why some people seem offended by his public expression of faith, he said many misunderstand Christian teachings and resist the accountability Scripture demands.

"It has to do with Christians and what really is Christianity," Hajdu said. "It says in Revelation 3:16, 'You are neither hot nor cold. I will vomit you out of my mouth.' That's basically saying that there is lukewarm Christianity, and that's really not tolerated in the context of the Bible."

He added that some of the criticism may stem from unresolved personal struggles rather than from the act of carrying a cross itself.

"That could just be bringing up old past hurt that people have and demons that they may currently have," Hajdu said. "But in my world, I'm just carrying a cross and trying to spread the gospel, especially to the youth."

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com