Getting from Here to There by Matthew Bennett
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
The Doctrine of the Trinity: What Can We Learn from the Nicene Creed after 1,700 Years by Kevin DeYoung
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
How One Church Community Reaches Refugees
CROSS Conference Podcast
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,...
info_outline
Sharing the Gospel with Muslims in Your City by Ayman Ibrahim
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
Reaching Internationals on Your Campus by Jim Rairick
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
Hearing Without Doing: The Danger of Our Information Age by David Platt
CROSS Conference Podcast
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...
info_outline
Bringing My Anxious Thoughts to God by Keri Folmar
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
Building Prayer Into Our Crowded Lives by Ryan Fullerton
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
Does the Bible Still Taste Like Honey? Psalm 19:7–11 by Marshall Segal
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outline
The Need for Silence and Solitude in a World of Noise and Activity by Ryan Fullerton
CROSS Conference Podcast
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.
info_outlineA 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.