Crosswinds Unleashed

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Pastor Craig Cooper and Pastor Elijah Merrill explore the lion inside of us as believers. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Join us as we discover how faith awakens boldness, helps us overcome insecurity, and empowers us to live confidently in the calling God has placed on our lives.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Pastor Craig Cooper and Pastor Elijah Merrill explore the powerful truth found in Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Whether it's our families, ministries, careers, or personal dreams, lasting impact is only found when God is the foundation. Let's discuss what it means to surrender our plans to Him, trust His timing, and allow Him to build something greater than we could ever accomplish on our own.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Pastor Craig Cooper and Pastor Elijah Merrill explore a powerful lesson through the example of Chinese bamboo. A plant that spends years developing unseen roots before suddenly growing at an incredible rate. Through this illustration, we'll discuss faith, spiritual growth, perseverance, and trusting God's work beneath the surface, even when we can't yet see the results.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Pastor Craig Cooper and Pastor Elijah Merrill explore Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Man in the Arena” speech and how its message connects to our walk with God. As followers of Christ, we are called to live boldly, serve faithfully, and keep moving forward even when criticism comes our way. Together, we discuss how to handle critics with grace, remain grounded in our identity in Christ, and stay focused on the One who called us into the arena.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Pastor Craig Cooper and Pastor Elijah Merrill continue in chapter 4 of Keith Drury's book, Common Ground: What All Christians Believe and Why It Matters. Through reading Keith's book, we unpack the Apostles Creed and explore the shared beliefs that have united Christians across traditions for generations, and why those core truths are foundational for everyday faith. Whether you’re new to faith or you've been a believer for many years, let's discover the common ground we stand on together! This week, Craig and Elijah are joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor, Wendy Emerson, the Missions & Outreach Pastor at Crosswinds!

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, we explore the staggering reality that your life is not an accident. It’s the result of countless moments, choices, and divine intention woven together by God. From the breath in your lungs to the purpose placed within your soul, your existence carries more value than you may realize. We’ll unpack what Scripture says about our worth, and reflect on the truth that our value was settled at the cross. This week, Pastor Craig Cooper is joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor and co-host Elijah Merrill.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, we take an honest look at the lives of Paul, Peter, and even Jesus, exploring how faithfulness to God often led them not to comfort, but to chains. What does it mean when the people we’re called to imitate walked through suffering, rejection, and imprisonment? Together, we wrestle with what it means to follow Christ in a world that often resists Him, and why suffering has always been woven into the story of the gospel. This week, Pastor Craig Cooper is joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor and co-host Elijah Merrill.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, we ask, "Why church?" We discuss how the church is not just a building or a weekly obligation, but a living, breathing community designed by God. We’ll talk about why gathering together shapes our faith, how it challenges and encourages us, and what we miss when we try to follow Jesus alone. This week, Pastor Craig Cooper is joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor and co-host Elijah Merrill.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, Craig Cooper and Elijah Merrill continue in chapter 3 of Keith Drury's book, Common Ground: What All Christians Believe and Why It Matters. Through reading Keith's book, we unpack the Apostles Creed and explore the shared beliefs that have united Christians across traditions for generations, and why those core truths are foundational for everyday faith. Whether you’re new to faith or you've been a believer for many years, let's discover the common ground we stand on together! This week, Pastor Craig Cooper is joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor and co-host Elijah Merrill.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church

In this episode of Crosswinds Unleashed, we take an honest look at the quiet struggle of laziness and how it can slowly dull our spiritual lives. What does Scripture really say about diligence, discipline, and purpose? Let's discuss how we move from knowing what’s right to actually living it out. This week, Pastor Craig Cooper is joined by fellow Crosswinds Pastor and co-host Elijah Merrill.

Visit us online: crosswinds.church