CROSS Conference Podcast

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Rosaria Butterfield discusses the importance of modesty for Christian women, emphasizing that it is not an outdated burden but a virtuous and authentic expression of their God-given femininity.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.