Wed December 19, 2007

*Some say I-35 is Bible's road to salvation*

    * Story Highlights
    * Some see connection between the Bible and Interstate 35
    * Believers pray by the side of the highway, which runs through six
states
    * I-35 runs from southern Texas to northern Minnesota

Editor's note: In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share
their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the
events. Here, Gary Tuchman talks about covering people praying on what
they call America's "holy highway."

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- If you turn to the Bible -- Isaiah Chapter 35,
Verse 8 -- you will see a passage that in part says, "A highway shall be
there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness."
art.highway.jpg

Churchgoers in six states have held prayer sessions along the side of
Interstate 35.

Now, is it possible that this "highway" mentioned in Chapter 35 is
actually Interstate 35 that runs through six U.S. states, from southern
Texas to northern Minnesota? Some Christians have faith that is indeed
the case.

It was with that interesting belief in mind that we decided to head to
Texas, the southernmost state in the I-35 corridor, to do a story about
a prayer campaign called "Light the Highway."

Churchgoers in all six states recently finished 35 days of praying
alongside Interstate 35, but the prayers are still continuing.

Some of the faithful believe that in order to fulfill the prophecy of
I-35 being the "holy" highway, it needs some intensive prayer first. So
we watched as about 25 fervent and enthusiastic Christians prayed on the
the interstate's shoulder in Dallas.

They chanted loudly and vibrantly, making many people in the
neighborhood wonder what was going on. They prayed that adult businesses
along the corridor would "see the light" and perhaps close down.
Holy highway?

They prayed for safety and freedom from crime for people who lived along
the interstate. They prayed that all Americans would accept Jesus into
their lives.

The woman who came up with the concept of "Light the Highway" is a Texas
minister named Cindy Jacobs.

She says she can't be sure Interstate 35 really is what is mentioned in
the Bible but says she received a revelation to start this campaign
after "once again reading Isaiah, Chapter 35."

Jacobs also points out that perhaps there is a link between the area
near this highway and tragedies that have happened in history, such as
the bridge collapse on I-35 in Minneapolis last August and the
assassination of JFK 44 years ago near I-35 in Dallas. That's why prayer
certainly can't hurt, she adds.

Now, it's only fair to say most people, the religious and the
non-religious alike, don't buy any of this, but none more than the
owners of some of the adult businesses along I-35.

At an adult go-go club, the owner tells us he resents people trying to
impose their will on others. And he says his club holds fundraisers,
food drives and toy drives to help the community.

But on the side of the road, the prayerful aren't going to change their
minds. Holy highways and nude clubs, they believe, are not a combination
God has in mind.