CROSS Conference Podcast

Jonathan Leeman contrasts two paradigms for conducting missions work. As President of Nine Marks, Leeman critiques movement-driven missions while advocating for church-centered missions as more biblically grounded. Two dominant paradigms compete within evangelical missions: movement-driven (emphasizing flexibility and speed) and church-centered (emphasizing ecclesiology and accountability). Church-centered missions proves more sustainable and biblically faithful. Evaluate your mission involvement through the lens of church health and accountability rather than movement metrics alone. Topics: Missions, Church, Ecclesiology, Missions Strategy, Ministry Paradigms

Mark Collins explores essential foundational beliefs before going on mission. After 25 years leading West Shanghai Baptist Church in China, Collins recalls his own pivotal moment at age 22 when a speaker mentioned China's long spiritual hunger. Before accepting a cross-cultural call, believers must solidify their foundational theological commitments. Clarity about what you believe regarding Christ, Scripture, the gospel becomes your anchor in challenging contexts. Examine your core convictions about Jesus, Scripture, and the gospel before pursuing any significant ministry calling. Scripture: Romans 3:21-25 Topics: Missions, China, Calling, Theology, Cross-cultural Ministry

Nina Buser shares the spiritual markers of women called to global ministry. A missionary to the Yembiyembi tribe in Papua New Guinea for 13 years, Buser recounts her unlikely journey from a secular, broken home to a cross-cultural calling. Encountering God's holiness and Christ's sufficiency reorients women's entire perspective on identity and purpose. Buser's transformation from disinterest to dedication illustrates how gospel renewal fuels missionary calling. Ask God to reveal His holiness to you and examine what markers of missionary character He's already developing in you. Topics: Women in Missions, Calling, Gospel Transformation, Character, Faith

David Mathis challenges attendees to become agents of godly transformation. Mathis speaks to young believers who sense divine discontent with cultural compromise on campus and online. Being an example involves allowing Scripture rather than the world to shape your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. When centered on Jesus Christ and rooted in a faithful local church, individual transformation becomes catalytic for community change. Commit to being shaped by God's Word rather than algorithms, and lead others toward real life and biblical sanity. Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 Topics: Influence, Example, Discipleship, Cultural Witness, Campus Ministry

Alistair Begg and Jonathan Carswell discuss effective gospel communication. Carswell interviews Begg through prepared questions about sharing Jesus, referencing Begg's well-known "man on the middle cross" teaching. Effective evangelism requires both preparation and authenticity. Learning from experienced communicators like Begg helps believers move beyond awkwardness to natural, compelling gospel witness. Practice articulating your faith clearly and compassionately, drawing from Begg's model of winsome gospel communication. Scripture: John 1:29 Topics: Gospel Sharing, Evangelism, Communication, Witness, Jesus

Rae Reid reflects on the joys and challenges of single missionary service. At 43 and single after nearly 12 years in Southeast Asia with Reaching and Teaching, Reid presents an honest assessment of singleness on the mission field. Marital status should never be an excuse to avoid overseas ministry. Single missionaries face unique considerations and opportunities that deserve thoughtful examination rather than dismissal or romanticization. Evaluate whether singleness is truly an obstacle to your calling, and consider the unique strengths single missionaries bring to cross-cultural ministry. Topics: Singleness, Missions, Calling, Single Missionaries, Ministry

David Platt addresses the perennial question of discovering God's will. Acknowledging that believers constantly wrestle with God's direction for their lives, Platt examines whether Scripture addresses all decisions from mundane choices to major life directions. Many decisions aren't explicitly answered in Scripture, yet believers wonder if God cares about all details. Understanding God's character as infinitely good, wise, and loving provides the foundation for experiencing His will in every circumstance. Trust God's infinite wisdom and goodness as you make daily decisions, seeking His guidance through Scripture and His Spirit. Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; 1 Kings 19; Acts 16 Topics: God's Will, Decision-Making, Guidance, Discernment, Scripture

Isaac and Stephanie Stiles provide biblical guidance on dating practices. With 13 years of marriage and experience counseling students through Across Campus, the Dosses address how dating culture has shifted from public chaperoned courtship to modern hookup culture. Though dating itself has radically changed, Scripture speaks directly to how believers should approach relationships and honor God throughout the dating process. Their practical counsel helps students navigate relationships with biblical integrity. Evaluate your dating practices against biblical standards and seek counsel from godly married couples. Scripture: Proverbs (fear of the Lord); James 1; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:39

Topics: Dating, Relationships, Purity, Marriage, Biblical Courtship

Brooks Buser examines language as both barrier and key to gospel expansion. Working with Radius International to help missionaries learn language and culture, Buser demonstrates why linguistic skill directly determines gospel effectiveness. Language proficiency separates clear gospel communication from muffled, ineffective witness. Valuing language means valuing the gospel's spread, as words are the vehicles through which faith is communicated across cultures. Commit to learning language with gospel intentionality, whether at home or on the mission field. Scripture: Matthew 28 Topics: Language, Gospel Communication, Missions, Culture, Barriers

Scott Hubbard explains the liberating power of self-forgetfulness. Drawing on insights from C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, and John Piper, Hubbard presents self-forgetfulness as the pathway to freedom and deep wonder. The healthiest Christians live free from constant self-comparison and internal analysis. Instead of obsessing over psychological categories or how they rank against others, they simply forget about themselves and live fully. Practice self-forgetfulness by redirecting your thoughts away from self-assessment toward others and toward God. Topics: Humility, Self-forgetfulness, Joy, Freedom, Wonder