Terminally ill pastor uses feet to spread hope

Pastor Richard Pope recently took a walk through three states to spread the word that hope is always more powerful than darkness.

Pope, a Marine Corps veteran, has had to deal with his own trials and tribulations. The Salisbury-area pastor, just 23 years old, has lost a cousin to suicide, and in December 2020, his cancer returned for the third time. Two months later, he received news that it was terminal.

That has not deterred Pope from his mission as he started a new ministry, Canvas Church in Salisbury, which had its first services on Easter Sunday.

In an effort to raise awareness about suicide and spread a message of hope, Pope decided to take to the roads of Delmarva on his five-day Hope 100 walk. The walkers took turns carrying a cross during the event.

Joined by church members and friends, Pope started his walk – averaging 20 miles per day – Aug. 2 in New Church, Va., following a kickoff celebration the night before at Canvas Church.

The walk proceeded down back roads through Snow Hill and Berlin, Md., to Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro and Georgetown. The group then walked westward in Sussex County through Seaford, Laurel and Delmar, ending in Salisbury on Aug. 6. On the last day, Salisbury Mayor Jacob Day joined the walk.

Pope said any donations received during the event will go toward outreach programs at the church and to the Joseph Patrick Fabber Memorial Foundation to support its work in suicide prevention.

The foundation, based in Georgetown, offers programs – including equine therapy – and support groups to promote a drug- and bully-free society while preventing suicide. Go to jpfmf.com for more information.

Pope is a 2020 Jefferson Award winner for his countless hours serving the community. He is also a chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America, serving at Coca-Cola Consolidated in Salisbury.