02/04/2001 The wanderer: ‘What’s his name?,’ a traveling evangelist, is now in the Delco area CAROLYN SEAGRAVES , Times Correspondent
If he looks like Jesus Christ and preaches like Jesus, does he claim to be the Son of God? Not at all, according to a soft-spoken, Bible-toting man who chooses to go by the title "What’s Your Name?"
**Nine years ago, What’s Your Name? made a decision to live his life in a more simplified, humble way shadowed by Jesus’ example. “In no way do I consider myself to be Jesus Christ. I’m just somebody who feels a calling to share the Gospel,” What’s Your Name? said. **
Since last Christmas, he has shared the Gospel and prayed with people in Delaware County and surrounding areas. He currently stays with a family in Broomall, Marple Township.
Wearing white robes, going without shoes, and carrying his well-read Bible, What’s Your Name? said he has traveled through 13 countries and 47 states. He has become somewhat of a celebrity, with profiles in newspapers, on French television, a BBC news feature and ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” and “20/20.”
While he admits the media attention has helped to spread his message, he claims he does not prefer to appear in front of the camera. What’s Your Name? speaks freely about his work, but chooses not to give many details about his personal life.
His given name, age, and past life are topics that he prefers not to share. However, an article in the New York Post last March identified him as Carl Joseph and reported he was 39 years old.
What’s Your Name? admits to growing up without religion and finding his faith as a young teenager. While he won’t discuss his family, he said he does keep in touch with family members. What’s Your Name? spends his days worshiping at various church services, visiting hospitals and nursing homes, and speaking at scheduled appearances.
Earlier this month, he spoke to a crowd at Villa Saint Teresa, a Catholic assisted living community in Darby. Administrator Phyllis Naccarella said their chapel was completely full with people anxious to hear What’s Your Name? preach.
“Everybody that was there just came out of it very moved. There was just such a good feeling hearing him talk. You just felt a presence,” Naccarella said,
The crowds that gather to hear What’s Your Name? range in size from 200 to 1,000 people. He does not accept a fee for preaching, but people are constantly trying to give him donations.
What’s Your Name? said he doesn’t accept any contributions and lives by his faith in God.
“God provides and he provides through people,” he said.
What’s Your Name? said his stay in the area is temporary; he is led by his faith in God and the need to do his work.
“There’s a need for God, a need to share his message and get the good news out,” he said.
There are several messages he intends to spread as he continues to walk.
“I encourage people to search more deeply, to pray and become more involved in a faith community,” What’s Your Name? said.
He does not officially represent any religion, but classifies himself a practicing traditional Christian.
“God’s message is universal and meant to transcend many of these boundaries we have,” he said.
He has been both supported and rejected by members of the clergy as well as the public. Some look for a hidden agenda while others see a false prophet attempting to start his own following.
What’s Your Name? denies both of these claims.
The Rev. James C. Timlin, the Bishop of Scranton, has met What’s Your Name? on several occasions while he was in the Scranton area, according to newspaper accounts from central Pennsylvania.
Timlin had nothing but praise for the traveling evangelist.
“I must say I was impressed with his sincerity and his simple approach to life and the church,” Timlin said. “I can say nothing but good about him and the way he conducted himself and the positive effect he had on people while he was in our area.”
What’s Your Name? has great hope for today’s society.
“There is much more goodness than evil in the world and in people,” he said. “We have a tendency to focus on the negative and the reality is that the good outweighs the bad.”