Story updated on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.
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For the third time in three days, a barefoot man, known around the world as the ‘Jesus Guy’, traveled through Tamaqua on his way from Mahanoy City to anywhere. His first recent visit to Tamaqua was during yesterday’s (Sunday, June 15, 2014) Tamaqua Summerfest. Around 1 PM yesterday, he was seen reading his Bible and eating a donated meatloaf dinner inside the M & I Deli on North Railroad Street prior to traveling south on Pine Street. He then traveled northeast onto East Broad Street towards Coaldale. Witnesses said he traveled back to Mahanoy City tonight, where he was last seen drinking a glass of water at a local establishment in the borough.
Today, he was seen traveling south on North Railroad Street near the Tamaqua Ambulance Building.
Prior to his recent visits, his last documented visit to Tamaqua was in June 2009. (See photos below.)
When approached by a TamaquaArea.com reporter, he said he didn’t have a long-term destination, but pointed out Palmerton as a possible destination over the next few days. He added that today was his 54th birthday.
Even though he wasn’t offended when called ‘The Jesus Guy’, he stressed that he doesn’t want to be called ‘Jesus’. When asked what his name was, he said to simply call him “What’s Your Name”, after a quote in the Old Testament in which Moses stood in front of a burning bush and asked God, “What’s your name?”
His real name is Carl James Joseph, originally from Detroit, Michigan.
What’s Your Name said he spent the last 23 years spreading the word of God, pointing out that the last four years were spent “walking in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land” (the area between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea). Last Sunday, he said he participated in the Feast of Holy Pentecost at Mount Zion in Jerusalem. He continued, saying he has visited 20 countries and 47 states.
When asked why he walks barefoot, he said, “I live and walk the way Jesus did.”
He said he doesn’t ask for donations and doesn’t except monetary donations, saying that Jesus will provide what he needs. He added that he routinely sleeps outside.
When asked his purpose, he replied, “I spread traditional Christianity around the world. I simply follow Jesus and help others.”

Click HERE to view a documentary website created about his journeys. The website states that ‘The Jesus Guy’ captured media attention from 20/20, Time magazine and Wall Street Journal.
Click HERE to view related YouTube videos.
Click HERE to view more search information about “The Jesus Guy”.
His last documented visit to Tamaqua was on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Prior to that date, he visited Tamaqua on January 27, 2009.
Below are TamaquaArea.com photos from Monday’s visit, as well as TamaquaArea.com photos from his last visit in 2009.

Pictured below is a photo taken around 11:30 PM on Monday (June 16, 2014) at a Mahanoy City establishment of What’s Your Name drinking a glass of water. Photo courtesy of Ray Anderson.

Below are TamaquaArea.com photos from his June 24, 2009 visit to Tamaqua: