Stay ConnectedThis 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.
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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 breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This was a panel discussion at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This is a conversation from CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This was a panel discussion at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit: www.crosscon.com
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.
This talk was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more about CROSS, visit: www.crosscon.com
To learn more about CROSS CON, visit: www.crosscon.com
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more at CROSSCON.com.
You are listening to a breakout talk given at CROSS CON21. Learn more 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 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:
1. From David Platt’s talk, why is it critical for Christians to pray, “Lead us not into temptation?”
2. 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?
3. 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?)
4. As you consider your role in God’s plan for saving the nations, where do you think you fit in? (sender?, goer?, unsure?)
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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:
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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:
1. When we ask for “Christ’s Kingdom to come,” what are we asking for?
2. 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?
3. How does this prayer for “Christ’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done” strengthen our faith?
4. 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:
1. 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?
2. What does it mean to ask God to “Hallow” His name? What other words did John Piper use to replace or illuminate “hallow”?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. Jesus pursued the hallowing of God’s name ultimately through suffering. How did Jesus’ suffering in the place of sinners make much of God?
6. 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?
7. “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:
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. Trip Lee said, “Prayer is not us informing God but rather casting our cares on Him.” How can this reality encourage your prayer life?
4. How does Jesus give Christians freedom to pray imperfectly?
5. 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?
6. 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.
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