CrossTalk at the Kroc

Loving Difficult People

The Gospel of John doesn't ease into the question. It starts at the very beginning: “In the beginning was the Word.”

In this episode of CrossTalk at the Kroc, Major Jonathan Raymer sits down with Lt. Sam Mhasvi to explore the opening words of John's Gospel and what they reveal about the identity of Jesus. From the connection between John 1 and Genesis 1 to Jesus as the Word, Creator, Life, and Light, this conversation takes a deeper look at the divine nature of Christ and why John begins his Gospel this way.

The conversation also explores John the Baptist's example of humility—recognizing that he wasn't the Light, but was called to point others toward the Light. From there, the discussion moves into one of the most powerful promises in the passage: those who receive and believe in Jesus are given the right to become children of God.

John 1 ultimately points us toward the heart of the Gospel: Jesus came into the world, even when the world did not recognize Him, and through Him we can be brought back into relationship with God.Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Join Major Jonathan Raymer and Lt. Sam Mhasvi for a conversation about the identity of Jesus, the Light that shines in the darkness, the humility of pointing others to Christ, and what it means to become a child of God—where faith meets real life.

Keeping Moving Froward

Sermon preached on October 4, 2026 at The Salvation Army Augusta Kroc Center by Major Jonathan Raymer

What would you pray for if you knew the people you loved were about to face some of the hardest days of their lives?

In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. He knows what is coming—and He knows exactly who these men are. He knows their strengths, their weaknesses, their failures, and their fears. And yet, He still calls them, loves them, and sends them.

In this episode of CrossTalk at the Kroc, Major Jonathan Raymer explores Jesus' prayer for His disciples and the things He asks the Father on their behalf: protection, unity, joy, and sanctification.

Jesus doesn't pray that His followers would be removed from the world. Instead, He asks the Father to protect them while they remain in it. They are called to be different without becoming disconnected, to pursue holiness without becoming self-righteous, and to stand for truth while continuing to love people.

And perhaps most encouraging of all, Jesus knows His disciples aren't perfect—and He sends them anyway.

Because following Jesus isn't about being perfect before God can use you. It's about allowing Him to transform you and being willing to go where He sends you.

Join us as we look at what Jesus' prayer for His disciples means for everyone who follows Him today—where faith meets real life.

https://linktr.ee/crosstalkatthekroc

Sermon preached on September 27, 2026 at The Salvation Army Augusta Kroc Center by Lt. Jamie Dupree

God sees the bigger picture

What does the Bible actually mean when it talks about “the Church”? Is it a building, a Sunday service, a denomination—or something much bigger?

In this episode of CrossTalk at the Kroc, Major Jonathan Raymer goes back to the very beginning of the Christian Church in Acts 2:42–47 and explores what the first believers looked like after encountering Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit.

The early Church was devoted to God’s Word, committed to one another, worshiping together, meeting practical needs, and reaching people with the Gospel. They weren't simply attending church—they were living as the Church.

And that raises an important question for every follower of Jesus: Am I simply going to church, or am I actually being the Church?

Because the Church isn't a building we go to. The Church is a people who belong to Jesus.

Join us for a conversation about community, worship, service, discipleship, evangelism, and what it looks like to live out our faith together—where faith meets real life.

https://linktr.ee/crosstalkatthekroc

Faith over fear

Mary Magdalene's story is one of the most powerful examples of redemption and faithfulness in the Gospels. Delivered by Jesus from seven demons, she became a devoted follower who remained with Him through the cross and was among the first to witness His resurrection.

Major Jonathan Raymer and Lt. Jamie Dupree explore what Mary's story teaches us about gratitude, faithfulness, calling, and allowing Jesus to transform not only our circumstances, but the way we live.

Sometimes you don't need to know the whole plan. You just need to know Jesus.