The 21-year-old Oamaru man is leaving Bluff on Easter Sunday to walk the length of New Zealand, dragging a cross.
Mr Craig was at work pricking arnica seedlings - ‘‘quite a boring job'' - when he had the idea to walk to Cape Reinga to encourage young people to take on challenges.
Having dyslexia, Mr Craig said he had struggled to achieve and had been bullied when younger.
He wanted to get out of his comfort zone and build confidence.
He was also keen to help people with low self-esteem or who lacked direction.
Mr Craig, who attends the Elim Church, did not know how long it would take him, although with size 13 1/2 feet, he was likely to cover the ground fairly quickly.
Mr Craig and his neighbour Les Whyte attached a caddy box to the cross, then fitted the box with two recycled BMX bicycle wheels.
The box, which has the 10 Commandments written on it, will carry his gear and he will sleep under the cross covered with a tarpaulin to protect him from the elements.
He said he was grateful for the support of Mr Whyte and Ron Parker, along with recently-retired police sergeant Derek Beveridge, whom he said had a lot of input into his life.
After leaving school, Mr Craig travelled around the world with Youth With A Mission.
Once he had completed his walk, he hoped to head to Pakistan to do some aid and mission work.
