Crossmap Podcast

For centuries, theologians, scholars, and everyday people have debated whether miracles still happen. Are they a glorious outcome from the hand of a living God, or are they a relic of a bygone era rooted in the Old Testament?

As people of faith we would like to believe that someone’s cancerous tumor mysteriously shrinking overnight is a miracle, yet the scientific community quickly pumps the brakes on that notion, pointing instead to obscure, unreliable research to support what cannot be explained.

CBN News investigative journalist Billy Hallowellbelieves in miracles. Curious to know the inside story of people who have experienced a miracle, Hallowell recently embarked on a journey to discover exactly what happens to these affected people and find proof to support what the Bible says about these seemingly supernatural occurrences.

In the new documentary Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles, Hallowell traveled around the United States cobbling together fascinating insights from scientific experts, theologians, and those who have actually experienced a miracle, to determine whether miracles are still happening today. What he found may surprise you.

Hallowell joins us to discuss the sociological or psychological impact of believing in miracles. Listen as he shares common threads he found in those who have experienced this type of supernatural event, and a personal discovery he made that changed everything.

Movie director Jon Erwinis someone who has had great success over the years. From October Baby way back in 2011 to Jesus Revolution and back to I Can Only Imagine, the Birmingham, Alabama native has always had a knack for finding and telling stories that resonate with people deeply for their foundational family values told through the lens of faith.

Erwin is also someone who is a collector and keeper of past memories that have developed into projects he is passionate about. One needs to look no further than his 2023 releaseJesus Revolution starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie. Intrigued by a 1966 Time Magazine cover stating “Is God Dead?”, Erwin carried around the magazine in his computer bag for nearly a decade before turning that base idea into the aforementioned movie that generated $54 million at the box office.

His latest passion project is a new 8-episode limited series currently airing on Amazon Prime called House of David. Stemming from a vivid memory he had visiting Israel with his father at age 16, Erwin thought that one day he could make a sweeping, visually spectacular recreation on the life of King David from the Old Testament.

Starring Broadway actor Michael Iskander, Ali Suliman, Ayelet Zurer, and Stephen Lang, House of David tells the story of the ascent of the aforementioned beloved Biblical figure, who eventually becomes the most renowned and celebrated king of Israel.

Erwin and Iskander join us on the podcast to discuss the critical importance of Biblical accuracy in retelling David’s story, why this popular figure of the Old Testament is considered the first superhero in human history, and how this project humbled each of them.

With the premiere of The Chosen’s Season 5 upon us, fans anticipating more of the same may be surprised by what they encounter from the eight new episodes coming over the next few months. Seen as the beginning of the end in the highly-sought after program’s seven season arc, viewers will be challenged with the most intense, mature, and challenging themes yet.

In a phased release, Season 5 will be available in theaters in the United States and Canada in three parts beginning March 27th. The season will then be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video starting in June.

'The Chosen' creator Dallas Jenkins welcomes the challenges and hardships Season 5 presents, most notably the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, including His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and His betrayal and subsequent arrest.

Jenkins is thankful for storylines that not only build character but ones that will eventually propel the greatest story ever told to its triumphant ending.

To date, more than 200 million viewers have watched at least one episode of The Chosen with video views quickly closing in on the 800 million mark worldwide.

Jenkins joins us to talk about how he prepared himself physically and mentally to film the gripping scene of Jesus' crucifixion. Listen as the popular director explains the significance of this season in the series' overarching narrative and how it is the most gut-wrenching, emotional season he has ever filmed.

When thinking about racial equality in sports, one immediately conjures up thoughts of young Jackie Robinson stepping between the lines to become the first African-American athlete in Major League Baseball in 1947.

But what about the other major sports? While we hear so much about Robinson suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers, less is known about the other three major sports. While Fritz Pollard is credited for being the first African-American professional football player in 1920, the NHL’s Willie O’Ree did not break the color barrier until 1958 as a member of the Boston Bruins.

Perhaps the most diverse league in professional sports today, the NBA, wasn’t always known for being a game for all ethnicities. As a tenet of proof, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who had spent many years toiling for the independent Harlem Globetrotters, did not step foot on an NBA court to become its first African-American player until signing a contract with the New York Knicks in 1950. Without Clifton, there would be no Michael Jordan or Lebron James to cheer for today.

Sweetwater,Clifton’s inspirational story of overcoming a lifetime of barriers and racial discrimination is the subject of a new movie streaming on the Angel Studios app.

In addition to my special guest, Everett Osborne, who stars in the movie as Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the film also features an all-star cast including Richard Dreyfuss, Jim Caviezel, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Pollak, and Cary Elwes.

I recently sat down with Osborne to discuss why Clifton should be seen as a pioneer for racial equality in sports, valuable lessons that can be learned from his life and witness, and how his life can be seen as hope for tomorrow as well as today.

No Gospel artist has had more of a seismic impact on Christian music over the last 100 years than Bill Gaither. Along with Gloria, his wife of more than 62 years, the Gaithers have left an indelible mark, writing more than 700 songs, many of which have become staples of Sunday morning praise and worship across the world.

With songs like “He Touched Me”, “Because He Lives”, and “The King is Coming”, just to name a few of the highly recognizable standards they have written and recorded, there is little doubt why this Gospel Music Hall of Famer was named Christian Songwriter of the Century by ASCAP more than 20 years ago.

Now, as Gaither settles into his seventh decade in Christian music, he is launching a new television program on TBN that is based on an old, yet highly popular idea. It’s called “Gaither Gospel Hour” and has just started airing on Saturday nights at 8pm, on TBN.

Gaither joins us to talk about the songwriting process that has propelled him to write so many profound staples of Christian music and whether his approach is any different than it was when he started out. Listen as the venerable music legend shares about his new television series, "Gaither Gospel Hour" and what he sees for the future of Gaither Music. 

No one wants to go through life with the feeling of utter hopelessness. But sometimes, due to a set of unforeseen circumstances, a person is forced to navigate through the perils of daily living without any clear sense of purpose or encouragement. 
 
But there is always hope.
 
Nathaniel Deen knows hardship and hopelessness very well. Due to a traumatic incident, he lost both his parents at the age of five. For the next nine years, Deen bounced from an orphanage to a series of foster homes to eventually running away at age 16. He soon found himself living in a car, yet somehow still finding the wherewithal to attend and contend with the daily rigors of school. This chaotic lifestyle eventually brought him to the brink of suicide.
 
But fortunately, due to a stroke of divine providence, Deen came in contact with a teacher who was drawn to his mysterious past. Rather than run in the other direction, far from Deen’s problems, this small-town educator discovered the profound and direct impact he could have on another life. 
 
Today, Deen is eternally thankful that this humble man took the time to journey with him through his doubt and betrayal and set him on a path to trust and redemption.
 
This amazing story is the subject of a new movie releasing in theaters this weekend called, “Brave the Dark”. Starring Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton, the film serves as a prime example that we should never give up on anyone. Doing so can often prevent a person from traveling down such a tortuous path of destruction, one that never seems to end well.
 
Deen joins us to talk about how his potentially tragic story turned into a blessing due to the gentle guidance of a teacher who was willing to demonstrate compassion and concern for him. Listen as he shares why he chose to be so transparent about his life despite such a tremendous sense of vulnerability in putting the scars of his past out there for the world to see.

For better or for worse, we have all heard the phrase, “Go to hell.” While considered a coarse and crass thing to say, this snide directive is seen as sarcasm and never viewed in a positive light. 
 
But what about the inverse of that phrase? Have you ever heard someone utter, “Go to heaven?” It seems sort of foreign yet hopeful.
 
As far as heaven is concerned, who goes there? Where is it? What will we do there? These sorts of questions always come up when we consider our eternal future beyond this physical world that we are currently living in. How can we know for sure, what comes next?
 
In a new 7-session, video-based Bible study workbook titled “Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight”, author Jennifer Rothschild explores the subject of Heaven from a biblical perspective. She is passionate about teaching others practical ways to set their minds on things above and live life with an eternal perspective.
 
Rothschild doesn’t just want people to wonder about heaven, her hope is that they will embrace it with a faith that turns anticipation into excitement and peace.
 
Rothschild joins us to talk about what it was like to go blind at the age of 15 and how it has shaped her faith as an adult. Listen as she shares some common misconceptions people have about Heaven while focusing on some key Bible verses that will provide us with a clearer understanding of it.

From the ghettos of Brooklyn, New York, to a successful singing career, to a stunning restoration in Jesus, Jeannie Ortega, a contemporary Christian musical artist, fought demonic attacks, thoughts of suicide, rejection, and being treated like a commodity earlier in her career as a secular pop star.
 
After many years away from music due to a new career in journalism and starting a family with her husband, Ortega never lost sight of her first love, the ability to glorify God through song. 

Over the years, she has learned that to defeat the darkness in this world, you must activate your spiritual sight. It is Ortega’s desire to guide people to discover unseen spiritual activity in their day to day activities, how to guard your heart from evil, and how to find the love of God and His purpose for your life.
 
Ortega has just released her first album in eight years. It’s called “Letting Go”, and serves as a musical surrender of sorts. Each melody and lyric came from what she felt God put in her heart to share in such a time as this. Her prayer is that people will listen with an open heart so that God can speak to each and every one of them  in a special way.
 
Ortega joins us to talk about how people can figure out unseen spiritual activity negatively affecting their lives and how to get away from it. Listen how she shares how music has the ability to connect with the human soul like nothing else, short of a relationship with Jesus.

Even for the most devout people of faith, the Holy Spirit can be mysterious and the least understood person of the Holy Trinity.

Bible scholars point to Abrahamic religions, where the Holy Spirit has equal footing with God the father and the Son of God, who is Jesus.

According to Acts 5:3-4, the Holy Spirit is considered to be fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is known to be the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

In John 14:26, the Holy Spirit is seen as our comforter, teaching people all things and allowing people to experience and witness its presence and power.

In his latest book, “Fresh Oil, Holy Fire, New Wine: Living the Vibrant Holy Spirit-Filled Life”, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez challenges you to reconsider what you know and how to relate to the Holy Spirit. His desire is for you to discover how to align and unleash the promise, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit in all areas of your life. In doing so, you will fully embrace a supernatural relationship through its almighty presence.
 
Rev. Rodriguez joins us to talk about the most practical way you can describe the Holy Spirit to someone that won’t scare them away. Listen as he shares why people struggle with supernatural filling over feeling and the major pitfalls in chasing feelings in worship.

In what has become a time honored tradition, my wife and I spend the first Saturday morning in December wrestling with a Christmas tree.
And for the twentieth year in a row we hope to accomplish our goal – to move our artificial bundle of joy from our attic’s crawl space to the centerpiece of our living room.

Serving as the soundtrack for our sloppily choreographed annual rite of passage this  year will be a new Christmas album just out from Anthony Evans.

Titled “The Greatest Gift”, this nine-track recording features new arrangements of holiday classics and original songs Evans wrote and produced for major network features.

Evans reminisces, “Some of my most favorite memories include the holidays and the music associated with them. I hope that this album brings joy to whoever is listening as well as reminds them that through the birth of our Savior, we truly have been given The Greatest Gift."

Evans joins us to talk about his favorite memories as well as why he wanted to make an album that blended classic carols with new original Christmas music. Listen as he breaks down several of the new songs and explains their meaning.