CROSS Conference Podcast: Recent Episodes
CROSS Conference
This is the official podcast of the CROSS Conference, where you can hear all talks, panels, and breakout sessions. See more at www.crosscon.com.
CROSS exists for the glory of Jesus Christ, to magnify his name by calling students, through a biennial conference and resources, to go to the unreached peoples of the world where Jesus is not worshipped as God and Savior.
Matt Bennett offers practical advice for those aspiring to serve in missions. He emphasizes the need for humility by submitting your aspirations to church elders, seeking mentorship, and serving locally. Rather than rushing into the field unprepared, he encourages aspiring missionaries to pursue discernment through the local church, develop a strong theological foundation, and gain strategic ministry experience.
The Nicene Creed, formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, is a foundational statement of Christian faith, affirming the Trinity and the full divinity of Christ. It was written to refute the Arian heresy, declaring that the Son is "of the same substance" as the Father. For over 1,700 years, it has united believers across traditions, safeguarded orthodox theology, and provided a clear confession of faith. Today, the creed remains essential for defending biblical doctrine, fostering church unity, and grounding Christians in the unchanging truth of the gospel.
The panelists share how their church, Immanuel Baptist, actively reaches out to refugees and immigrants in their community, driven by a heart for the Great Commission. They describe the challenges of this ministry, such as cultural differences, lack of responsiveness to the gospel, and balancing family life. However, they also share encouraging stories of refugees coming to faith, church members stepping up to serve, and the joy of seeing God work. The panelists advise the audience to find their unique gifts and callings, build relationships, and persevere even when the work is difficult, remembering that the ultimate goal is to see people come to know Christ.
Ayman Ibrahim, born and raised in Egypt, shares his experiences of witnessing Muslims coming to Christ in Egypt, Dubai, and Lebanon. He emphasizes that the time is ripe for Muslim evangelism, as Muslims are questioning their faith more than ever before. He provides practical tips for engaging with Muslims, such as praying for them, being prepared to answer their questions, and building relationships with them. Ibrahim encourages the audience to seize this opportunity and be ambassadors of Christ to the Muslim community.
Horizons International is dedicated to reaching international students and refugees in the U.S., engaging Muslims worldwide, and equipping churches and student groups for ministry among these communities. Jim Rairick urges the audience to take action—get involved, connect with Horizons, and share the gospel with the 830,000 international students from the 10/40 window currently studying in the U.S. He highlights the need to cultivate a culture of evangelism in churches, break down racial and ethnic barriers, and develop sustainable support for international student ministry.
David Platt emphasizes the importance of God's Word over physical needs like oxygen, and encourages the audience to reorient their lives around receiving, remembering, and obeying the Word. He highlights the dangers of the "information age" and how easily we can become distracted by worldly information instead of immersing ourselves in Scripture. Platt provides three practical steps: receiving God's Word humbly and wholeheartedly, remembering it intentionally and continually (through meditation, memorization, and sharing), and obeying it immediately and gladly, as this leads to true blessing and life.
Keri Folmar addresses the issue of anxiety, particularly among college students. She shares practical tips to fight anxiety: 1) Know your God by spending time in His Word; 2) Take your troubles to the Lord in prayer; 3) Give thanks, even in the midst of difficulties; and 4) Surround yourself with people who can remind you to trust God. She emphasizes the importance of rooting oneself in God's sovereignty, love, and the truth of Scripture to overcome anxious thoughts.
Ryan Fullerton encourages the audience to cultivate a consistent prayer life by seeking a quiet, private space, shutting out distractions, and following the Lord’s Prayer as a model. He stresses that the goal is not to empty the mind, but to focus on meditating on God's Word, while recognizing that God delights in our imperfect efforts. Fullerton also emphasizes the value of spontaneous prayer throughout the day and encourages using resources like Paul’s prayers to be discipled in praying according to God's will.
Marshall Segal addresses four common lies that can hinder Bible reading: that the Bible is irrelevant, hard to understand, unhelpful in times of pain, or won't bring happiness. He refutes these misconceptions by emphasizing the Bible's power to provide wisdom, comfort, understanding, and joy. Segal encourages reading Scripture in community, persevering through tough passages, and engaging with the Word prayerfully, recognizing the spiritual battle against distractions and discouragement.
Ryan Fullerton emphasizes the importance of embracing silence and solitude in a world filled with noise and distraction. He discusses how the modern tendency to avoid silence stems from our inability to confront our guilty consciences, which the world tries to distract us from. Fullerton encourages the audience to listen to their consciences, which can lead them to the gospel and the righteousness of Christ. He also suggests that spending time alone with God, without external stimuli, can strengthen one's faith and provide refuge from the difficulties of the world.
Nina Buser shares her journey as a woman in missions, emphasizing the critical roles women play in reaching unreached people groups. Through her story of serving among tribes in Papua New Guinea, she highlights the necessity of women learning language and culture to disciple and teach other women, who men often cannot access due to cultural barriers. Ultimately, she encourages women to embrace the challenges of missions as a “chance to die” to self and gain eternal treasures in serving Christ.
Church planting among unreached language groups is a biblical model requiring sacrifice, commitment, and a deep understanding of language and culture. Missionaries must endure physical hardship, maintain spiritual health, and be prepared for challenges while establishing local churches that outlast their service. Senders support this work through prayer, practical assistance, and discerning God's call, trusting that the ultimate work is the Lord’s.
Brooks Buser presents a condensed yet powerful session on the vital task of Bible translation for unreached language groups. Drawing from his experience as a lead translator, he outlines the essential prerequisites for translation, including a deep knowledge of both the Bible and the local language, as well as the importance of accuracy and meaning in translation. He emphasizes the philosophical foundations of Bible translation, urging participants to focus on guiding church plants through the translation process and to be open to revisions, as well as the incredible privilege of translating God’s Word into a new language.
Andrea Green’s breakout session focuses on the vital role of language learning in reaching unreached people groups. While languages and cultures are fascinating in themselves, Andrea’s passion lies in how mastering a language with excellence brings clarity to the gospel message. She explores how learning another language can open doors for deeper relationships, effective communication, and impactful ministry among those who have yet to hear the good news of Christ.
Tom Schreiner discusses what Christ accomplished on the cross, including justification, sanctification, redemption, salvation, reconciliation, and adoption. Tom emphasizes that these blessings are not based on our own merit, but on Christ's work - we are "justified by faith" and Christ's righteousness is "imputed" to us. Schreiner also addresses the tension between being simultaneously justified yet still struggling with sin as believers.
Dr. Hamilton highlights the importance of understanding the biblical authors' interpretive perspective when studying Scripture. He demonstrates how New Testament writers, like John, rightly interpreted passages such as Isaiah 53 as prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering and death. He also examines Isaiah 52 and 53 in detail, presenting the Messiah as the new Adam and the servant of the Lord who would die and rise again for salvation while addressing topics like the Trinity, biblical illiteracy, and Mosaic authorship.
Gloria Furman shares her insights on focused disciple-making, drawing from her personal journey in cross-cultural ministry. With deep conviction, she emphasizes the importance of confidence in the sovereign goodness of God, especially in the face of trials. Furman highlights how God uses suffering to build His church and advance the gospel, offering profound lessons on the role of the local church and the word of God in missions. Her message encourages believers to embrace their identity in Christ and faithfully make disciples, whether at home or abroad.
John Folmar paints a vivid picture of Dubai’s transformation from a modest fishing village to a global metropolis fueled by oil wealth. Beneath its glitz and towering skyscrapers lies a unique opportunity for gospel ministry amidst cultural shifts and an influx of foreigners seeking prosperity. In this talk, Folmar explores how believers can navigate this modern context and faithfully proclaim Christ in one of the most dynamic cities in the Middle East.
Churches are messy, but Jonathan Leeman reminds us to see God's grace at work, even amid flaws. Thriving requires faith to love patiently, reflect the gospel, set wise boundaries, and address issues with care. In seasons of decline, we must discern whether to stay and serve or seek a healthier community, always pursuing Christ’s vision for His church.
Garrett Kell emphasizes the importance of the local church in helping believers persevere in their faith and avoid apostasy. He cites the book of Hebrews, which warns against falling away from God and exhorts believers to protect, provoke, and submit to one another through pastoral relationships. He stresses that the church is God's antidote to apostasy, calling believers to lock arms, exhort one another daily, stir up love and good works, and obey their leaders who keep watch over their souls.
Mike McKinley discusses the importance of being committed to a local church. He explains that church membership is the biblical way for Christians to express their commitment to a particular congregation, where they can use their spiritual gifts for the common good. McKinley provides three reasons why one should be committed to a local church: 1) Jesus is committed to the church, which is his bride; 2) it is good for one's spiritual well-being, as the church provides pastoral oversight and assurance of salvation; and 3) it is God's plan for one's eternal destiny, as the church is central to His wider plan.
A local church is a people who are created by the Word, who gather around the Word, and who are governed by the Word. The church is founded on the gospel, gathers to hear and obey God's Word, and is to display Christ's wisdom to the world through its life together under Scripture. Ben Lacey encourages believers to find a church that faithfully preaches the gospel, is centered on God's Word, and submits to Christ's lordship, as this is the kind of church Jesus has saved us to be a part of.
Mez McConnell discusses the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable, referencing Micah 6:8 which calls us to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." He laments that modern Christians often neglect the poor, making excuses or focusing on superficial religiosity rather than true compassion. He challenges the audience to consider how God is calling them to serve the least, the last, and the lost in their own communities, emphasizing that indifference to the poor is a grave sin.
Rachel Ware explains that missions agencies are not found in the Bible, but can serve a valuable purpose in supporting local churches as they send missionaries. She encourages listeners to work closely with their local church leadership when discerning a call to missions, and for missions agencies to see their role as "bridesmaids" - coming alongside the church to make the Bride of Christ more beautiful, rather than replacing the church's authority. She also provides guidance on evaluating missions organizations and their relationship to the local church.
Josh Manley addresses the challenging question, "Why reach the nations when there are lost people on my street?" Drawing from Scripture, he highlights the glory of God as the ultimate motivation for missions, emphasizing that God's glory is not being treasured among the nations. Through examples like Adoniram Judson and the Apostle Paul, he challenges listeners to consider the global need for gospel witnesses and the privilege of making Christ known where His glory is not yet seen.
Jenny Manley shared her journey of discerning whether to stay or go overseas for ministry, offering five key questions to guide the decision: 1) What does your theology say about missions? 2) Is there a need, and can you meet it? 3) What guidance are you receiving from others? 4) Do you feel a desire to go? 5) Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices? Through prayer and wise counsel, Jenny encouraged the audience to thoughtfully consider these questions as they seek God's calling, whether to remain or serve Him abroad.
Jesus models true humanity through his sonship, holiness, and servanthood, showing that our identity is rooted in being children of a loving Father, pursuing Christlike character, and serving God and others. Growing in this identity requires immersion in the body of Christ, where we are shaped and disciplined within a faithful community. The gospel offers a compelling vision of full humanity, calling us to be transformed into the image of Christ through both knowledge and the practice of godly living.
Rosaria Butterfield discusses the importance of modesty for Christian women, emphasizing that it is not an outdated burden but a virtuous and authentic expression of their God-given femininity. She explains that modesty glorifies God, reflects a woman's belief that God's covering is better than her own desire for attention, and demonstrates love for her Christian brothers by not causing them to stumble. Rosaria addresses the influence of worldviews like feminism and transgenderism that reject biblical gender distinctions, and she encourages the audience to pursue modesty through repentance, growth in their relationship with God, and developing friendships with wise, older women.
Everyone will live forever—either in eternal joy with God or eternal misery apart from Him. Jesus spoke often of hell as a real place of torment, but God’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself through the everlasting joy of His people. John Piper challenges those who feel called to cross-cultural missions to take their next steps in faith, seek counsel from their local church, and commit to making Christ known among the nations.
Josh and Jenny Manley, a married couple from Mississippi, left careers in Washington, D.C. to serve at Ras Al-Khaimah Evangelical Church in the UAE. There, they have witnessed people from diverse backgrounds come to faith, trained local leaders, and supported the persecuted church, particularly in Afghanistan. Despite challenges, they encourage young adults to trust God's leading, be patient in their formation, and have a vision for His glory.
Kevin DeYoung argues that the mission of the church should be centered on making disciples rather than transforming nations as political entities. He supports this by examining biblical passages that emphasize God's work in redeeming a people for Himself through the church, not in establishing Christian civilizations. Ultimately, he concludes that the church's focus should be on God's plan to dwell with His redeemed people, rather than on cultural or national transformation.
Brad Buser, co-founder of Radius International, spent over 20 years church planting among unreached people groups, particularly in Papua New Guinea. He shared his journey of being called to missions as a young Christian, the challenges of learning the language and culture, and raising his family in the jungle. Buser emphasized the importance of discipline, commitment, and reliance on prayer in taking the gospel to the unreached. He encouraged the audience to consider dedicating their lives to this work, while acknowledging the cost, and urged those not called to go to become "rope holders" who support missionaries through prayer and giving.
David Platt explores the wonders of the Holy Spirit in a 50-point sermon, highlighting His life-giving and sustaining work. The Spirit testifies about Jesus, grants new birth, assures our adoption, convicts of sin, and sets believers free from condemnation. He empowers obedience, produces spiritual fruit, and enables bold gospel proclamation, making His presence both awe-inspiring and life-transforming.
As Jesus faces his impending death, he humbly washes his disciples' feet, demonstrating the depth of his love and the true nature of servanthood. This act challenges the disciples' self-centered attitudes and calls them to a life of sacrificial love for God and others. Mez McConnell exhorts the audience to consider how the love of Christ should compel them to go to the "least, the last, and the lost" with the gospel, even if it means forsaking their own dreams and comforts. The ultimate question posed is: "Why are you here?" - is it to pursue your own agenda, or to wholeheartedly serve the one who loved you to the end?
The local church is essential for missions - it is the beginning and end of missions. Missionaries should not operate independently of the local church, but rather be recognized and sent by their church. The church provides accountability, discipleship, and community for new believers, which is crucial, especially for those from non-Christian backgrounds. Missions is about planting and strengthening local churches, not just individual evangelism. Whether the missionary is a man or a woman, the importance of the local church remains the same. The church is God's plan for evangelism and for displaying His manifold wisdom to the world.
Trip Lee emphasizes the importance of the church, stating that it is not optional but essential for following Jesus and holding onto hope. He encourages the audience to hold on to their confession of hope, watch out for one another, and gather together regularly, as these are crucial for persevering in the faith. Trip argues that the church is not a mere "pep rally" but a community that sustains and strengthens believers, and that neglecting the church is a mistake that can have serious consequences for one's spiritual life.
In this panel, John Piper emphasizes God's sustaining grace in keeping believers faithful through prayer, the Word, and corporate worship. He shares his personal journey of relying on God's grace in difficult seasons and urges believers to cultivate habits that keep them rooted in their faith. Piper stresses the urgency of global missions, the centrality of a "big God theology," and the call for the church to embrace risk for the sake of God's glory and the salvation of the unreached.
John Musyimi exposits 1 Kings 10 by introducing the Queen of Sheba's awe of King Solomon as a prelude to highlighting the unmatched glory of King Jesus. He emphasizes the Queen’s journey to witness Solomon's wisdom and grandeur, leading to her transformation into a worshiper of Yahweh. Drawing from Matthew 12:42, Musyimi contrasts Solomon’s limited magnificence with Jesus’ infinite supremacy, declaring Him the ultimate King. The message crescendos with Jesus’ eternal dominion, universal fame, and unparalleled wisdom that far outshines even the glory of Solomon.
Holiness is not optional for the Christian life; it is essential, as Hebrews 12 reminds us that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." This panel explores how the gospel both saves us by grace and calls us to a radical, Spirit-empowered pursuit of holiness that cuts out sin at its root. With insights from Kevin DeYoung, Rosaria Butterfield, and Garrett Kell, the discussion addresses how to live in the tension of being fully justified in Christ while striving for the holiness that reflects Him. Ultimately, it’s a call to pursue a life of godliness with joy, knowing that Jesus is worth it.
This message from Luke 18 challenges us with the question: Is Jesus worth it? Through the story of the rich young ruler, we see how Jesus exposes our hearts, calling us to surrender everything for the treasure of knowing and following Him. The ruler’s tragic decision to walk away reveals the grip of idols that blind us to Jesus' infinite worth. Will we trust Him, letting go of what the world offers, to embrace the life only He can give?
In this breakout, Rosaria Butterfield discusses the topics of homosexuality, transgenderism, and the Christian response to these issues through the lens of repentance and gospel truth. She challenges common misconceptions and cultural narratives, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and repenting from sin as defined by Scripture, not societal standards.
In this breakout, David Mathis looks at the profound relationship Jesus had with Scripture, exploring how the fully human and fully divine Jesus came to know and embody the words of God with such authority and depth. This talk is not just about learning Scripture, but living it—highlighting the practices of memorization and meditation as vital to a vibrant Christian life.
In this episode, David Mathis explores the vital yet often overlooked aspects of pace and pattern in our spiritual lives. Drawing on the life of Jesus, he discusses the transformative power of balancing engagement with retreat, and the significance of taking time to commune with God amidst the busyness of modern life.
This was the first panel at CROSS CON24 which highlighted how the gospel is not merely a prayer we pray once, or a philosophical view or a self-help. It is our hope in life and death. It is our bedrock. It is our fuel. It’s a whole new way of seeing ourselves and everyone else and everything else around us.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a panel given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to an interview by Ben Lacey with John Piper from CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a panel given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a panel given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to a panel given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
You are listening to the first talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more about our upcoming conferences at crosscon.com.
This five part series is designed to prepare each person for CROSS CON21. To learn more about joining us at CROSS CON21, visit https://crosscon.com/
(0:00) - Intro
(0:55) - How does living with eternity in view fuel missions?
(1:50) - Can we be "so heavenly minded that we're of no earthly good?"
(3:09) - Biblical examples of Christian's living with eternity in view
(11:18) - Having a mind set on heavenly reward
(14:20) - The example of Jesus
(15:58) - Book recommendations on living with eternity in mind
This five part series is designed to prepare each person for CROSS CON21. To learn more about joining us at CROSS CON21, visit https://crosscon.com/
(0:00) - Intro
(1:12) - What does it mean to be "holy?"
(3:14) - Why personal holiness is crucial in serving the Lord
(6:17) - What does it mean to be "useful to the Lord?"
(9:24) - What allows us to live with hope as we battle sin?
(10:38) - What are some things that work against purity of heart?
(14:20) - Finding true life and joy in Christ
(16:28) - Garrett's testimony of bringing sin into the light
(21:01) - A message to those hiding sin
(23:39) - Book recommendations on holiness
This five part series is designed to prepare each person for CROSS CON21. To learn more about joining us at CROSS CON21, visit https://crosscon.com/
(0:00) - Intro
(1:03) - We've got enough lost people here. Why worry about the nations?
(2:54) - Biblical evidence of God's heart for the nations
(10:03) - Responses to the Great Commission: Go, Send, Sin
(12:55) - What it means to send
(16:13) - What drives our passion for the nations?
(17:21) - How do we cultivate a heart for the nations?
(20:04) - Book recommendations on missions
This five part series is designed to prepare each person for CROSS CON21. To learn more about joining us at CROSS CON21, visit https://crosscon.com/
(0:00) - Intro
(0:52) - What a church is not?
(2:41) - What is a church?
(5:40) - Biblical evidence for the local church
(9:13) - Finding a healthy church
(12:43) - Does the church slow us down?
(16:46) - Leveraging your life for the gospel inside the church
(18:28) - Book recommendations on the church
This five part series is designed to prepare each person for CROSS CON21. To learn more about joining us at CROSS CON21, visit https://crosscon.com/ (0:00) - Intro (1:18) - What is the gospel?
(7:14) - How the gospel affects us today
(12:05) - How do you "get in" on this good news?
(14:15) - Omar's testimony
(17:47) - Garrett's testimony
(21:38) - If you're not a Christian...
(24:00) - If you are a Christian...
(24:47) - Book recommendations on the gospel
Panel #4 at CROSS20 with the topic "How to Make Your Life Count." Speakers are David Platt, JD Greear, and John Piper.
Panel #3 at CROSS20 was a "Live Question & Answer," answering questions submitted by the audience ahead of time. Speakers are David Platt, Kevin DeYoung, Cyndi Logsdon, and Edgar Aponte.
Panel #2 at CROSS20 with the topic "Preparation and the Missionary Task." Speakers are David Platt and Brooks Buser.
Panel #1 at CROSS20 with the topic "Your Purpose and God's Glory." Speakers are David Platt, Zane Pratt, Mack Stiles, Cyndi Logsdon, and Jonathan Morgan.
Plenary #5 at CROSS20.
Reflection Questions:
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From David Platt’s talk, why is it critical for Christians to pray, “Lead us not into temptation?”
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We’ve been reminded that the best thing we can do with our lives is spend them making Jesus’ name known in every corner of the world. But we also know that in the coming days we will face many temptations. What are some of those temptations and how can we aim to stay focused on what matters most?
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The message of Christianity is that we all are sinners (we all will fall into temptation) and that’s exactly why we need a Savior. How can we both strive to fight temptations while at the same time not relying on our works for salvation? (Or another way to ask: what is it that motivates you to fight temptation?)
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As you consider your role in God’s plan for saving the nations, where do you think you fit in? (sender?, goer?, unsure?)
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Are there sins or even simply distractions in your life that have kept you from leveraging your life for what matters most — the hallowing of God’s name among the nations? Take some time to confess these to the Lord and to a trusted Christian friend or mentor.
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We have new life in Christ only because Jesus never gave into temptation. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, he died in our place for our sins, and rose again defeating death so that through believing in him, we may have eternal life. Take some time to dwell on Christ’s perfect life and thank him for never giving into temptation.
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Ask God to guide and direct the next steps that you should take — either as a “sender” or “goer.” Pray that God would make you faithful to obey Him wherever he calls you.
Plenary #4 at CROSS20.
Reflection Questions:
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It is common in our day to use words like “mistakes”, “struggles,” or “issues” instead of “sin.” How can that confuse the need for forgiveness that comes through the gospel?
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Wayne Chen said, “When we ask God for daily bread, we are asking God to supernaturally help us to trust in His grace for tomorrow.” What are some ways we grow in having a deep, unshakeable trust in God to provide all that we need?
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Wayne Chen cited Matthew 10:28 (“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”) and encouraged us to prioritize gospel proclamation over merely doing mercy ministries. Does this sound like you’re loving your neighbor?
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Wayne Chen encouraged those interested in taking “the next step of obedience” to “throw themselves at their local church.” What are some ways that you can serve and grow through your local church?
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Wayne Chen challenged us to take a step of obedience either as a “sender” or as a “goer” rather than simply hearing biblical truth. Is there a step you need to take? And consider how your local church can help you through this process.
Plenary #3 at CROSS20.
Reflection Questions:
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When we ask for “Christ’s Kingdom to come,” what are we asking for?
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Kevin DeYoung talked about how Christ’s kingdom is carried out through the church. Why is it critical for local churches to be central in missions?
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How does this prayer for “Christ’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done” strengthen our faith?
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In order to be a part of Christ’s Kingdom, it requires that you know, follow, and submit to Christ as the King. Have you done that with your life? If not, talk to a Christian friend or mentor about what is holding you back.
Plenary #2 at CROSS20.
Reflection Questions:
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John Piper pointed out that the Lord’s prayer is made up of petitions, not exclamations. How can that change the way we approach the Lord’s Prayer?
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What does it mean to ask God to “Hallow” His name? What other words did John Piper use to replace or illuminate “hallow”?
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The first commandment Jesus gives is to love God (Matt. 22:37-38) and the first line in the Lord’s prayer is that God’s name would be hallowed. How are these connected?
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John Piper argued that while there really are two groups of three petitions in the Lord’s prayer, nevertheless he made the case that all five other petitions serve the first one. It is in a class by itself, he said. What is unique about that act of hallowing that puts this request in a class by itself?
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Jesus pursued the hallowing of God’s name ultimately through suffering. How did Jesus’ suffering in the place of sinners make much of God?
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John Piper argued that the pandemic is a time of affliction that need not hinder the cause of missions. What ways might this season of suffering actually advance God’s purposes in global evangelization?
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“Hallowed be your name” is the only petition in the Lord’s prayer that calls for an explicit response of the heart. In other words, we are commanded to ask God to change us so that our lives would be consumed with making much of God. Ask now that God would do this in your life; that you would prioritize God’s glory above everything.
Plenary #1 at CROSS20.
Reflection Questions:
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Trip Lee said, “If applause is what you really want, then that’s all you’ll ever get.” What are some good things in your life that you’ve tried to take credit for when in reality those good things are all from God?
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Matthew 6:6 encourages us to pray in secret so that we might receive a reward rather than praying for the recognition of others. (1) Have you ever thought about getting alone with God to pray so that you might receive a reward? (2) What are practical steps you can take to pray more?
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Trip Lee said, “Prayer is not us informing God but rather casting our cares on Him.” How can this reality encourage your prayer life?
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How does Jesus give Christians freedom to pray imperfectly?
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Would you be content doing good things for Jesus if no one else knew that you were doing them? And if not, who are you really serving?
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Trip Lee said that one way to fight hypocrisy is to confess sin. Do you regularly confess your sin both to God and to other people? If not, why?
Edgar Aponte serves as IMB’s vice president of mobilization. He previously served as director of Hispanic leadership development and professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to SEBTS, Aponte served as Minister Counselor at the ministry of foreign affairs in Washington, D.C., on behalf of his home nation, the Dominican Republic. In addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, he earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from SEBTS.
This breakout session was delivered at CROSS19 in Louisville.
Find more resources at CROSSforTheNations.org
Zane served as dean of the Billy Graham School at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 2011 until 2013, before returning to the IMB where he now serves as the Vice President of Training. He previously served 24 years in an Islamic context with the IMB as a church planter and regional leader in Central Asia. Pratt also has experience as a church planter and pastor in New England and as an Army Reserve chaplain. He is a co-author of Introduction to Global Missionsand a contributor to Theology and Practice of Mission, both published by B&H Academic. Zane holds a BA from Duke and an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell. He is married to Catherine with whom he has two grown children, Charlotte and Greg.
Catherine Pratt is a North Carolina native. She met her husband, Zane, at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS). She served with Zane in Central Asia for twenty years. A short-term trip to the Muslim world with a student team from GCTS confirmed her prior calling to unreached people groups. Their two children were born in a mission hospital at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Before leaving the States, Catherine worked in outreach family counseling.
Leeann Stiles has been active in ministry for over thirty years in a variety of capacities from directing short-term mission trips to writing and leading Bible studies for women. She and her husband, Mack, spent 15 years in the United Arab Emirates, where they spearheaded a ministry to university students and were involved in church reform and church planting. They currently live in Northern Iraq where Mack pastors an international church. The Stiles have three grown sons, two lovely daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.
John Piper offers a biography on the missionary David Brainerd.
This breakout was recorded at CROSS19.
The final plenary session from CROSS19.
David Platt serves as pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and president of Radical, a resource ministry that serves churches in accomplishing the mission of Christ.
Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me,and Counter Culture, as well as the following volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series: Exalting Jesus in Matthew, Exalting Jesus in James, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and Exalting Jesus in Galatians.
David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.
The ninth plenary session from CROSS19.
Trip Lee is a recording artist with Reach Records and a pastor at Cornerstone Church in Atlanta. Trip was born and raised in Dallas, TX. He has appeared on numerous independent and national Christian hip-hop releases and has released several solo projects of his own, including: If They Only Knew (2007), 20/20 (2008), Between Two Worlds (2010) and The Good Life (2013), and Rise (2014). Recently, he authored Rise—a book that calls Christian to participate in God’s great story. Trip resides in Atlanta with his wife and their two kids.
The eighth plenary session from CROSS19.
John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He is the author of more than fifty books, and more than thirty years of his preaching and writing are available free of charge at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noël, have five children and twelve grandchildren.
The seventh plenary session from CROSS19.
Conrad Mbewe worked as a Mining Engineer in Zambia before answering God’s call into the pastoral ministry. Widely regarded as the African Spurgeon, Conrad is faithfully and powerfully proclaiming the Word of God from Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa, since 1987. As well as pastoring, he maintains a full itinerant preaching ministry in different countries around the world and edits the Reformation Zambia magazine. Conrad volunteers with the YMCA, providing vocational training to the many unemployed youths in his community. He is married to Felistas, and has been wonderfully blessed with three children plus two foster daughters.
The sixth plenary session from CROSS19.
Pastor J.D. has led his church, the Summit Church, to make the gospel its central focus. The “gospel secret” is that all the things God wants for the Church, such as reckless joy, audacious faith, or radical generosity, are produced not by focusing on them but on what God has done for us. We become what God intends us to be when we focus less on what we are to do for him and more on what he has done for us. J.D. and his wife Veronica live in Raleigh and are raising four ridiculously cute kids: Kharis, Alethia, Ryah, and Adon.
J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is also a faculty member, writing on the correlations between early church presentations of the gospel and Islamic theology. Having lived serving among Muslims, he has a burden to see them, as well as every nation on earth, come to know and love the salvation of God in Christ.
Plenary Session 5 from CROSS19. Mack Stiles and his wife, Leeann, have traveled and lived many places before landing in Erbil, Iraq, in July 2017, including 15 years in Dubai, UAE. He’s the pastor of Erbil International Baptist Church.
CROSS19 Session Four — Zane Pratt is the Vice President of Training at the IMB, International Mission Board.
Plenary Session #3 from CROSS19. Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church (Matthews, NC) and a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte.
Main talk #2 from CROSS19. Richard Chin serves as the National Director of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.
Plenary 1 from CROSS19. Thabiti Anyabwile is the church-planting pastor of Anacostia River Church in southeast Washington D.C.
In his talk, Zane Pratt shares about the mission work that has taken place in Asia and also begins to share what work still needs to be done.
In this talk, Mack Stiles shares how our culture can be so embedded into our lives that we can take it with us no matter if we realize it or not. He goes on to share three major concerns about modern missions and how we can avoid some cultural pitfalls overseas.
In his talk, Paul Akin shares the #1 reason missionaries leave the mission field and go home.
In his talk, John Piper explains how God has used biographies to encourage and motivate obedience in his own life and he encourages those listening to utilize them as well. During this session, he focuses his attention on the life of Hudson Taylor and shares several lessons that can be learned from his life.
In his talk, Thabiti Anyabwile shares the importance of seeking to fight sin and live lives of purity now before entering the mission field. He encourages us to utilize the talents that God has given us without being hindered by sin and debt and provides some practical steps that we can take in getting there.
In his talk, Richard Chin focuses his attention specifically on Asians and thinks through how they can be mobilized to reach the nations with the gospel.
In his talk, David Meade provides a road map for those who are trying to determine how they can get on the mission field. For those seriously considering cross-cultural missions, this is an incredibly helpful resource.
In his talk, Byron Johnson shares some wisdom in raising financial support by pointing his listeners to the importance of casting a compelling vision that is driven by passion and the necessity to network with people and follow up with them.
In this talk, Catherine Pratt and Leeann Stiles share some of the unique challenges that a woman may face on the mission field including fear, loss, suffering, and the heightening of emotions. Along with these, they address the challenge of various life situations including singleness, marriage, and team dynamics.
In his talk, David Platt shares how we can seek to reach the world through global cities and looks at Acts 16-18 as an example of this biblical principle. The world is increasingly becoming more urbanized and this brings about some unique challenges that we should be aware of and also some unique opportunities that we can leverage for the spread of the gospel among the unreached.
In his talk, Kevin DeYoung shares what a sending church is looking for in students who are eager to take the gospel to the unreached. In his talk, he includes five specific points that he, as a pastor, is looking for in those who desire to go: 1.) An eagerness and an ability to share the gospel with non-christians 2.) Know the goal and the mission of missionaries 3.) A firm conviction about the centrality of the local church 4.) A humble spirit that is teachable 5.) A demonstrated track record of relational maturity and ministry faithfulness.
In his talk, Matthew Spandler-Davison shares the current landscape of missions in Europe. He focuses both on the challenges of doing ministry in Europe as well as the exciting opportunities that are available to see lost people come to Christ .
In this talk, we hear from Thabiti Anyabwile, Tim Byrd, and Elias Medeiros as they share the importance of finding our identity in Christ. They share ways in which as a missionary, we become a minority in whatever new culture we are confronted with and the necessity of focusing on who we are in Jesus.
In her talk, Keri Folmar shares how the purpose of marriage is to spread God's image to the rest of the world and looks at how individual calling's inside of marriage can work to bring about that goal. She encourages women who are married to focus on the gifts that they enjoy while also working to support the ministry of their husband. She finishes her time with some Q&A and provides some very practical advice to those interested in living on the mission field.
In his talk, John Folmar shares the importance of healthy churches around the world and provides ways that those interested in missions can help build healthy churches globally.
In his talk, Dennis Ju shares his story of how God has used his job to further missions around the world and provides ideas of how others can use their professional vocation to either be a faithful sender or goer.
In his talk, Conrad Mbewe shares the current landscape of Christianity in Africa and shares some of the dangers and misconceptions of the spread of Christianity that has taken place. He explains Africa's need for healthy churches and good doctrine because in many of the "churches" throughout Africa, sound doctrine is absent. This means that there are many opportunities right now in Africa for missionaries to come and help spread the pure gospel to those who have never heard it.
In his talk, Afshin Ziafat shares how we can better reach Muslims for Christ. He begins by providing a brief history of Islam and then points to the key differences between Christianity and Islam in order to provide helpful talking points that Christians can use in future conversations.
In his talk, Richard Chin shares how a missionary is to be exemplary in his spiritual life. He focuses his attention on the books of Ephesians and specifically looks at the references to the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit empowers a missionary's spiritual life in being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
In their talk, Mack and Leeann Stiles share some of the exciting opportunities that their family has had by parenting overseas while also sharing the difficulties that they faced. Through it all, they give clear testimony to the faithfulness of God.
In his talk, Zane Pratt shares a theology of risk and demonstrates from Scripture how missions has always been dangerous. He goes on to provide three biblical realities that should shape our theology of risk: 1.) God is sovereign 2.) Suffering is normal 3.) Jesus is worth it.
In his talk, David Platt explains how college students can creatively find ways to reach people who are currently unreached. He shares five essentials to gaining access: 1.) A biblical view of the world 2.) A practical theology of work 3.) A willingness to relinquish our rights for the spread of the gospel 4.) A willingness to rearrange our lives for the spread of the gospel 5.) A willingness to run a long, hard race for the glory of our God.
In his talk, Afshin Ziafat shares what it means to honor your father and mother as you think through God's calling on your life. He focuses especially on those whose parents might not be happy about their son or daughter's interest in going to an unreached people group and he aims to provide some practical wisdom in how we can still show those parents honor.
In his talk, Thabiti Anyabwile shares from Matthew 24 on the reality of hell and the urgency of our mission. Hell is not a side doctrine, but is a central doctrine– it is what Jesus saves us from. For this reason, we must seek to be faithful servants who go and share the gospel with those who have never heard it.
In his talk, Richard Chin shares from Psalm 96 how all of creation glories in God because of his righteous judgment and gracious salvation. The steadfast love of God is breathtaking and when properly understood it should stagger us. As Christians, we have the privilege of singing the song of God’s steadfast love with the hope that it might become the song of others around the world.
In his brief talk, Trip Lee shares how we were built to brag about our Creator, God. Sadly, the majority of the world has spent their lives bragging about themselves and have missed the One who is worthy of all praise and adoration. We, as God's ambassadors, have the privilege of taking his good news to those who are lost and sharing the it with them.
In his talk, Kevin DeYoung shares about the authority of Jesus and how he is worthy of our worship. It is not enough for people to accept the morality of his teachings; people must accept Jesus himself. He is the only way to the Father and his name must be proclaimed to all of those who are lost.
In his talk, John Piper shares the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation. Apart from his work, we are all far from God and without hope, but praise be to God that the Spirit opens eyes and causes us to magnify Christ. His purpose is to fill believers with the power that is needed to be witnesses for Jesus and to take his gospel to the ends of the earth.
In his talk, Conrad Mbewe points out the centrality of the local church in missions. God’s plan for reaching the world is not something that must be discovered or invented because it has already been laid out in His Word. Through the establishment of local churches and the faithfulness of humble servants, God will accomplish His plan of reaching the lost with the gospel.
In his talk, Mack Stiles shares what it looks like to live under the lordship of Christ and the necessity of submitting to him now. He urges students to see Jesus as the treasure and great reward that is worth following no matter what the circumstances.
In his brief talk, Elias Medeiros shares how we are to be faithful ambassadors of Christ no matter where God has placed us. We are in our current locations not simply by coincidence, but because God has providentially placed us there for his specific purpose. Therefore, let us not waste the current opportunities He has given, but let us seek to share Christ in all places and all circumstances.
In his brief talk, Zane Pratt shares what its like living as a missionary in a hostile world. He lays out practical advice for those interested in becoming a missionary that includes the importance of being a growing disciple of Christ and locking down what you believe before you get on the field. Your beliefs will shape the ministry you do. If you are looking to plant healthy churches that are made up of growing disciples you need to know what a healthy church is and need to be able to show people how they can grow as disciples of Christ.
In his talk, Afshin Ziafat shares how a proper understanding of the gospel is fuel for discipleship and mission. He shares the importance of continually setting our gaze on Christ and trusting him to be our satisfaction in every area of our life.
In his talk, J.D. Greear shares how disciples of Jesus can either go to the unreached, send others to the unreached, or disobey God’s call. It can be easy to think that in order for God to use us, we need some new abilities that God has not yet given us, but in reality it’s all about our availability to God; obedience in a few seconds accomplishes more than talent does in a whole lifetime.
In his talk, David Platt shares how there are incredible opportunities right now in the world for the spread of the gospel among people groups who have never heard about Jesus. We can either retreat in fear or we can trust in God’s Word and go out bearing His name because we know that the sovereign God of the universe is with us!
To close CROSS 2015, David Platt reflects on his journey through the Himalayan mountains and the unreached people groups there, who challenged and convicted him to see the darkness blinding unreached peoples to the glory of Christ. Platt, with zeal and passion, exhorts Christians to plunge into this darkness empowered by the Spirit, not their own strength, full abandoned to the purposes of God.
Thabiti Anyabwile delves into the biggest decisions students, especially those headed to the missions field, are considering: debt, marriage, professions, and how to faithfully honor one’s parents. Exhorting listeners with anecdotal testimonies of grace from his own life, and bolstering those with the wisdom of Proverbs and other Scriptures, Anyabwile offers pertinent counsel for potential missionaries here at home who hope to go the field there among unreached peoples.
Mack Stiles, a veteran missionary, walks through seven different aspects of modern missionary service that showcase how too many missionaries’ today are more devoted to cleverness, not faithfulness. He lays out the basic gospel message and reminds us why that is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel, not our wit, is what unreached peoples of the world need.
Kevin DeYoung provides a stinging yet graceful meditation on the dangers of the plague of pornography besetting so many young Christian men and women. Looking at the prophet Ezekiel’s ministry to the nation of Israel, DeYoung reminds listeners why their personal holiness is massively relevant to the happiness of the nations. There is at least one thing we can all do to help the spread of the gospel among the nations, DeYoung says, “put away the porn.”
John Piper opens CROSS 2015 with a clarion call for Christians to love unreached peoples by sharing with them the hope of the joy of everlasting friendship with Jesus. This joy, Piper asserts, is the motivation and end of death defying missions. This joy is the light that pierces and penetrates the darkness that plagues unreached peoples and motivates them to other mighty movements for Christ.
How has the globalization of the world brought about gospel opportunities? What difference does it make to talk about a globalized world? What does it mean that, “in world mission today, it’s no longer a question of the West and ‘the rest’?” D.A. Carson addresses questions like these in this breakout session.
Don Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Dr. Carson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Dr. Carson is co-founder (with Tim Keller) and president of The Gospel Coalition. He has written or edited over fifty books, including How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil and A Call to Spiritual Reformation. Dr. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two children. In his spare time, Dr. Carson enjoys reading, hiking, and woodworking.
No aspect of mission is more bogged down with extra-biblical baggage than the “missionary call.” Is not the clear command of Christ “to go” enough to set you on your way to the unreached regions? Don’t wait for a “mysterious call.” Try to go and trust the sovereignty of God to get you where he wants you in His harvest.
David Sitton served as a church planting missionary in some of the remotest regions of Papua New Guinea during the 1970’s and 80’s. The Lord enabled him to make first contact with several previously unreached tribes and the establishing of 34 churches. In 1994, David founded To Every Tribe and, the following year, The Center for Pioneer Church Planting on the south Texas / Mexico border where he lives with his wife Tommi. David serves to train and launch church planting teams to those still without access to the gospel of Christ. David is the author of two books, To Every Tribe With Jesus and Reckless Abandon. David and Tommi have three grown children and two grandchildren.
What factors produce the syncretistic world we live in? How does this affect Christian’s understanding of missions? Thabiti looks at John 14 during this interactive breakout to answer questions like these.
Thabiti Anyabwile is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman. He is a native of Lexington, North Carolina. Thabiti holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in psychology from North Carolina State University. He is the author of The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence. He is the happy husband of Kristie and the adoring father of three children. A former high school basketball coach and bookstore owner, he enjoys preaching, reading, sports, and watching sci-fi films.
God sovereignly calls all believers to fulfill the great commission, regardless of their ethnicity. African Americans are a part of a unique story in foreign missions that is seldom told. Tim steps into the African American story and examines their involvement in the history of missions, the complexities of today, and the unlimited potential of tomorrow.
Tim Byrd has been serving with Campus Outreach in Johannesburg, South Africa for the past eight and a half years. Tim holds degrees in both African-American and African Studies and English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Due to his father being in the US Army, Tim grew up in both Europe and the States. Tim and his wife, Niai, have two daughters. He enjoys reading, playing and watching sports, working out, cooking and enjoys casual time with family and friends. Tim’s vision is that through the lives of passionate universities students within the local church, South Africa would become a gospel saturated launching pad into the nations of Africa and beyond for the glory of God.
In times past God has raised up different movements on universities throughout the world to be launching pads to the unreached nations! With a passion for the glory of Christ in their hearts these young men and women, left both promising careers and loving families behind to spread the gospel to unreached people groups. Today through more training, technology and mission agencies university students have a great opportunity to leverage their lives for the sake of Christ if they are simply willing to lose it.
Tim Byrd has been serving with Campus Outreach in Johannesburg, South Africa for the past eight and a half years. Tim holds degrees in both African-American and African Studies and English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Due to his father being in the US Army, Tim grew up in both Europe and the States. Tim and his wife, Niai, have two daughters. He enjoys reading, playing and watching sports, working out, cooking and enjoys casual time with family and friends. Tim’s vision is that through the lives of passionate universities students within the local church, South Africa would become a gospel saturated launching pad into the nations of Africa and beyond for the glory of God.
The Good News about Jesus has transformed your life, and now you want to take this message to the nations. Believe it or not, the nations are represented on your university campus and in your dorms and neighborhoods! And did you know you can you share the Gospel in another country and earn college credit at the same time? David Lawrence expounds on these opportunities in this talk.
David Lawrence serves as an elder at Redeemer Church of Dubai. He moved to the UAE in 2003, living first in Sharjah and moving later to Dubai. He is a Vice President with a consulting company, having previously worked in finance with General Electric. He has ministered with university students in the US, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Middle East. David has been a deacon at United Christian Church of Dubai (UCCD) and has led the membership classes at UCCD and Redeemer. He is married to Kris and they have five children. He enjoys ethnic foods, surfing, desert outings, and hang out time with his kids and the Redeemer youth, but most of all, leading people in the discovery of the riches of God’s Word and the wonders of His grace in Christ.
In frontier missions settings among unreached people, is it possible that there are already churches there in operation? If so, can we expect those churches will actually be healthy, robust in faith and practice? What should you be looking for in a church, anyway?
John Folmar serves as senior pastor of United Christian Church of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He holds a BA from Boston University, JD from Duke University and an MDiv from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He grew up in North Carolina. He has been married to Keri for 16 years and they have three children. He enjoys reading and jogging. John desires to see Jesus Christ truly known and worshipped on the Arabian Peninsula through building healthy churches throughout the region.
John Piper looks at the life and incredible ministry of William Tyndale to encourage students in missions. Christians for centuries have been blessed by the Lord’s usage of this man.
John Piper is is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (BD), and the University of Munich (DTh). For six years he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem. John is the author of more than 40 books, including Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions and Desiring God, and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available at DesiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
How have women played a crucial part in the spread of the gospel to the nations of the world? Why is it important to look back to women who have helped pave the way? Peering into the lives of several of them helps answer these questions—and helps spur us on today.
Kathleen B. Nielson is director of women’s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. She holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. She has taught in the English departments at Vanderbilt, Bethel College (MN), and Wheaton College. She authors the Living Word Bible studies (P&R), as well as various articles, poems, and a book—Bible Study: Following the Ways of the Word. Kathleen speaks extensively at women’s conferences, and has directed and taught women’s Bible studies at several churches. The Nielsons have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Every Christian should be a disciple-maker. Every Christian has a gift for the building up of the church. The evangelization of the entire world will only come through Christians crossing ethno- and linguistic-cultural barriers.
Richard Chin serves as the National Director of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and the South Pacific Regional Secretary for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Based at Wollongong University, he also serves as a University chaplain with a team that proclaims Christ to local and international students. Richard is married to Brownyn, and they have four growing children. He is a Malaysian born Chinese Aussie, who loves God, family, and Asian food.
Reaching unreached peoples with the gospel is the heart of CROSS. But what are unreached peoples? Zane Pratt answers in this breakout session.
Zane Pratt is the dean of Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism and associate professor of Christian missions. Zane holds a B.A. from Duke University, an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Ph.D. Candidate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Zane served as a church planter and pastor in New England and as an Army Reserve chaplain before appointment for overseas service in 1991. He lived and worked in Central Asia until 2011, the last 10 years of which he had regional leadership responsibilities. He has written multiple articles in a volume on the theology of missions published by Broadman and Holman in the fall of 2011.
How is the prosperity gospel crippling the Church? Dr. Ellis explains why this is the greatest challenge he’s seen to the Church.
Dr. Ellis is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and has been a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary and Redeemer Seminary. He is a pioneer thinker in the area of urban ministry and the development of African American men. Dr. Ellis has taught extensively on the need for the church to engage Islam. He holds a B.A. from Hampton University, a M.A. from Westminster, and a D.Phil from Oxford Graduate School. He is married to Karen Ellis, and they have a blog called “Prophets of Culture”.
Who or what is charged with building God’s Kingdom and how do they go about doing it? Pastors Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert weigh in on this question in this breakout.
Kevin DeYoung has been the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, since August 2004. Prior to serving at URC, Kevin was the associate pastor at First Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. Kevin holds a Master of Divintiy from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including The Hole in Our Holiness, The Good News We Almost Forgot, and Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have five children.
Greg Gilbert is senior pastor of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and the author of What Is the Gospel? He holds degrees from Yale University (B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Greg is married to, Moriah, and they have three children.
In the enormous missions field of East Asia, pioneer efforts need to be coupled with church-strengthening efforts in order to help the amazing growth of the last 30 years bear lasting fruit. The potential missionary to East Asia needs to think about preparing well, landing well, and launching well to be a part of what God is doing to build his church in this amazing country.
Mark Collins works in East Asia. He holds a BS in Political Science from James Madison University and an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He grew up in Fairfax, VA. Mark has been married to his wife, Megan for 10 years and they have 5 children with one on the way. He enjoys basketball and football. Mark desires to see healthy, missions-minded churches planted in urban centers throughout East Asia. He hopes these churches would be able to bless that area of the world and be a pipeline of blessing to some of the hardest to reach areas in the world.
Do your own issues preclude you from going to the mission field? Zane Pratt teaches on how to navigate this question and life situations while considering cross-cultural missions.
Zane Pratt is the dean of Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism and associate professor of Christian missions. Zane holds a B.A. from Duke University, an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Ph.D. Candidate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Zane served as a church planter and pastor in New England and as an Army Reserve chaplain before appointment for overseas service in 1991. He lived and worked in Central Asia until 2011, the last 10 years of which he had regional leadership responsibilities. He has written multiple articles in a volume on the theology of missions published by Broadman and Holman in the fall of 2011.
Looking at the years 1555-1664, Elias Medeiros explains what has been said and spread about the Reformers (especially John Calvin) and the propagation of the gospel to all the nations. He looks at where the Reformation started and who started it. He argues that it may not be what people typically read; he offers two case studies and resources for further study.
Dr. Elias Medeiros is the Harriet Barbour Professor of Missions and the Missions Department Chairman at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. He is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil since January 1975. Prior to come to RTS in 1993, he worked with youth camping ministries in Northeast Brazil; “church planter missionary” in the Amazon jungle; as an urban church planter in Northeast Brazil; pastored churches in the State of Paraiba, Brazil; taught at the Presbyterian Seminary in Brazil; and worked as Academic Dean at the Evangelical Missions Center in South Brazil. He is also a member of the “Global Diaspora Network Advisory Board” of “Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization” and of the “Evangelical Brazilian Diaspora Movement.” He has been happily married to Fokjelina, a beautiful Dutch lady, for almost 38 years by God’s grace and strength. They have three children and six grand-daughters.
What qualifies someone as a missionary? Are all Christians missionaries? Why or why not? Mack Stiles tackles fundamental questions like these in this breakout.
Mack Stiles is CEO of Gulf Digital Solutions and general secretary for the Fellowship of Christian UAE Students (FOCUS) in the United Arab Emirates. He has worked for many years with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the United States. He is the author of Marks of the Messenger and Speaking of Jesus. Mack enjoys photography and snow skiing, but most of all loves thinking through how to apply the gospel of grace to issues confronting students in the university world. He is married to Leeann, and they are parents of three sons.
PLEASE NOTE: We’re deeply sorry that Brian’s talk cuts off at ~41 minute mark given technical difficulties at the conference. We pray the rest of the talk encourages you.
Why does Zane Pratt say he is convinced that “business as missions will be the most significant tool forward for the spread of the gospel in unrestricted areas”? Brian Chan, a computer software engineer who strategically uses business as missions, answers in this talk.
Brian Chan started and runs a for-profit secular software business, called Liferay, and uses it as means of glorifying God by spreading the Gospel and writing code. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 2000 and now lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two kids.
To close CROSS 2013, David Platt delivers a clarion call to all Christians, imploring them to consider what their obedience to the Great Commission looks like. For many, it will be as stateside senders; for some, it will be as lifelong goers; for others, it will be as offerings poured out en route to give the gospel to yet-to-be-reached peoples. In every scenario — in going and sending and even in dying — God is achieving His incontrovertible purpose: the supremacy of the glory of God in the Christ-exalting joy of all peoples.
D.A. Carson preaches on the social dimensions of both sin and the gospel. Sin doesn’t just send you to Hell, and the gospel doesn’t just save your soul. Each has necessary social, personal, and horizontal ramifications, culminating in the existence of and a commitment to the church, the bride of Christ, for it is in the church where the love of God is made known and reflected to the nations.
Michael Oh of the Lausanne Movement calls Christians to care about all types of global suffering, especially eternal suffering. In this, the church functions as both prophet and servant — boldly heralding the truth of God’s Word while simultaneously seeking to serve others’ needs in showing the compassion of Christ. Individual Christians, too, will suffer and should use these moments — as often as the Lord brings them — to endure in faith and to hold out the gospel as the only true and lasting alleviation from suffering.
Matt Chandler unpacks the life of the apostle Paul as proof positive that there’s no such thing as a person beyond God’s saving mercy. In fact, his post-conversion commitment to evangelism and, even more, his Christ-exalting fearlessness in the midst suffering depicts the truth of his words in Philippians 1:21: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” May the same be said of all God’s people, that a better day is coming where we will receive our reward and see — finally — our treasured King face to face.
In this session, Mack Stiles upholds biblical criteria one should use when discerning a “call” to missions. Mere inward and emotional certainty is not enough. The missionary’s call should be inspired by the Word of God, informed by the content of the gospel, and externally confirmed by the church.
Richard Chin preaches from Mark 8 in order to show that a proper view of Jesus demands a proper response to Jesus. Because He is the Son of Man whose kingdom will never end, His followers confidently and joyfully take up their cross and obediently take the gospel to those who do not know Him.
To speak of God’s wrath evokes all different sorts of emotions and reaction in people. Yet the horrific death of Christ and his glorious resurrection is the greatest news that mankind could ever hear given that with each day, humans store up God’s righteous judgment and wrath. Believing this news necessitates announcing it.
Far from being obstacles for mission, Kevin DeYoung shares why the five points of Calvinism are surprising motivators for missions. In fact, belief in an electing, sovereign, all-powerful God is the only thing that keeps one humble in the midst of results and hopeful when there are none. Many may ask why anyone would go if God has only called some. But the Bible asks, “Why would anyone go unless God has certainly called some?”
In Romans 1:13-18, the apostle Paul describes a life unashamed of the gospel, eager to proclaim Christ in places where He has yet to be named. Paul is eager because the gospel is the best news in the universe, containing divine power and providing in Christ the singular salvation from God’s holy, righteous, and personal wrath. The only thing that turns away the wrath of God is Jesus.
“The chief end of missions is the supremacy of God in the joy of all peoples.” These two ends are of an identical essence, totally and completely inseparable, for the only gladness that lasts is a gladness in the glory of God. This reality frees us from choosing either the glory of God or compassion for the lost as the primary desire for missions.