Cross Podcast

Matt Schmucker unpacks the character qualities essential for effective missionary work and strategic kingdom advancement. Drawing from 34 years of experience revitalizing Capitol Hill Baptist Church and founding 9Marks Ministry, Schmucker reveals the economic and strategic realities of modern missions. He challenges the assumption that Western missionaries are always the solution, highlighting how indigenous pastor training often yields greater kingdom impact for significantly lower investment. Reconsider your approach to global gospel advancement through this cost-benefit and cultural-sensitivity lens. Topics: Missionary character, Indigenous leadership development, Strategic missions, Cost-effectiveness, Cross-cultural evangelism

Sam Emadi explores friendship with God as a profound spiritual reality and pathway to deeper intimacy with the Divine. Despite sounding casual, biblical friendship with God represents a revolutionary truth: that believers can move from enmity with God to intimate fellowship through Christ's redemptive work. Emadi guides listeners through cultivating this transformative relationship, balancing God's transcendence with His invitation to know Him personally. Experience how understanding God's character deepens your connection to Him. Scripture: John 15:13; James 2:23; Galatians 4 Topics: Intimacy with God, Christian fellowship, Prayer life, Spiritual growth, God's transcendence

Seth Troutt examines what authentic masculinity looks like and exposes the cultural myth of "toxic masculinity." Through a practical pyramid model, Troutt unpacks the character traits that define genuine manhood, starting with the foundational truth that men are not God. He challenges the prevailing cultural narrative, arguing that what society calls "toxic masculinity" is actually anemic masculinity an absence of true virtue rather than an excess. Learn the biblical framework for male strength, humility, and leadership. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7; Proverbs 28:7 Topics: Biblical masculinity, Male leadership, Character development, Cultural issues, Discipleship of men

Rosaria Butterfield discusses the biblical design and purpose of women through the lens of her personal transformation journey. In this compelling session, Butterfield shares her remarkable journey from lesbian activist and tenured professor to Christian believer, sparked by patient, loving conversations with a pastor neighbor. She explores how understanding God's design for women—created in His image with inherent dignity and purpose within the biblical pattern of male and female—transformed her worldview. Discover how God's truth about gender and sexuality speaks to deep human longings. Scripture: Genesis 1:27 Topics: Biblical gender roles, Women's purpose, Same-sex attraction, Christian hospitality, Worldview transformation

Ben Lacey interviews Carl Trueman in Q&A format about resolving identity crisis in a technology-saturated world. Trueman provides practical wisdom: think critically about technology dependence—smartphones can dominate entire lives—and while we cannot escape technology, we can reduce screen time and humanize our interactions. The path out of identity chaos involves practical steps to regain human connection and reduce technological mediation of life. Humanizing interactions—even simple conversations—is both an act of kindness and a recovery of authentic personhood. Intentionally reduce your screen time and humanize your daily interactions by engaging in real conversation with those around you. Topics: Identity, Technology, Community, Human connection, Church

Ben Lacey interviews John Piper in conversation about the essential connection between doctrine and devotion. Having covered sin, man, Christ, and God's meticulous sovereignty, they affirm that sound doctrine is not merely intellectual theology but fuel for the heart. Doctrine without devotion produces coldness and pride, while devotion without doctrine leads to drift and deception; believers need both sound doctrine and passionate affection for God. What you think about God determines what you believe, love, pray for, long for, and live for. Let biblical truth about God transform not just your thinking but your affections, prayers, longings, and entire way of life. Topics: Doctrine, Theology, Heart affection, Truth, Spiritual formation

Tilly Dillehay and Jeremy Pierre engage in conversation about self-control and modern struggles with discipline. Survey data reveals alarming statistics: 83% of students struggle with self-discipline, 50% of males struggle with pornography, 55% of females struggle with body image issues, and the vast majority cite social media as a constant hindrance. Self-control is not about deprivation but about refusing lesser pleasures to experience immeasurable eternal joy in God; it's a pathway to greater freedom and deeper satisfaction. The culture's inversion of this truth is one of Satan's most effective deceptions. Say no to lesser digital and bodily pleasures so you can say yes to the incomparable joy of knowing God and living for His purposes. Topics: Self-control, Discipline, Temptation, Social media, Sexual purity

David Platt illustrates God's global purpose through a story of a couple who met at CrossCon two years prior, married within a year, and returned with their newborn to seek God's direction for their lives. He establishes that each person is created by God to enjoy intimate relationship with Him while spreading His glory among all peoples. Every believer is created for dual purposes—intimate knowledge of God and participation in spreading His glory globally. Understanding the world's spiritual landscape through categories of gospel accessibility reveals the scope of God's redemptive plan. Consider how God might use your life to spread His glory among unreached peoples and communities around the world. Topics: Global missions, God's glory, Gospel spread, Unreached peoples, Worship

Trip Lee anchors biblical prayer in the finished work of Christ, emphasizing that access to God comes through Jesus' name alone. He introduces the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) as the most famous sermon in history that inverts worldly values and reveals kingdom citizenship. The Sermon on the Mount fundamentally reorients believers' understanding of what kingdom living looks like, and Matthew 7:7 promises that God's generous response to prayer is available to all who approach Him through Christ. Kingdom citizens live by upside-down values where asking boldly receives answers. Embrace the inverted values of Christ's kingdom and ask God boldly for what you need, knowing He generously responds to those who seek Him. Scripture: Matthew 7:7 Topics: Prayer, Kingdom of God, Christ's sufficiency, Generosity, Sermon on the Mount

Alistair Begg explores God's willingness to answer prayer and provide abundantly through Matthew 7:7-11 and Ephesians 3:14-21. Drawing from the promise that asking yields giving and seeking yields finding, Begg emphasizes that God's generosity far exceeds even good earthly parents' gifts to their children. God's extravagant generosity flows from His nature as a perfect Father who delights to give to His children far beyond their requests or expectations. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock is not a suggestion but an encouragement rooted in God's character and abundance. Approach God confidently in prayer, asking boldly for His provision and presence, trusting His generosity exceeds your greatest hopes. Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11; Ephesians 3:14-21 Topics: Prayer, God's generosity, Faith, Provision, God's abundance

Carl Trueman lectures on the church's role in addressing contemporary identity confusion. The church provides biblical identity rooted in God's truth as an antidote to the cultural chaos surrounding personal identity in modern society. Ground your identity in the church's historic, biblical understanding of personhood rather than cultural narratives. Topics: Church, Identity, Culture, Truth, Community

Shai Linne celebrates the union and joy found in the Trinity and the believer's participation in it. Drawing from Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-26, Linne explores Christ's desire that believers experience the same oneness with God and one another that exists within the Godhead, and that they behold His glory and experience the Father's eternal love for the Son.  Jesus prays that believers may see His glory and experience the Father's love that has existed since before the foundation of the world, creating the possibility of participating in the eternal joy of the Trinity itself. The love, unity, and delight of the Godhead becomes the model and promise for all believers. Cultivate your awareness of the eternal joy and love within the Trinity that you are invited to share and delight in. Scripture: John 17:20-26 Topics: Trinity, Unity, God's glory, Eternal love, Joy in God

John Piper examines God's sovereignty in tragedy through the lens of a 2001 incident where a Peruvian Air Force plane shot down a missionary aircraft, killing Veronica Bowers and her 7-month-old daughter Charity. Piper confronts the difficult theological question of how to affirm God's meticulous providence when innocent lives are lost in service to Christ. True hope in God's providence means trusting His sovereignty even when we cannot explain why He permits tragedy, and recognizing that many who follow Christ internationally will face suffering. The call of missions is beautiful but comes with a real and sometimes devastating cost. Examine your theology of God's providence—can you trust Him when His plan permits loss and suffering? Topics: God's providence, Suffering, Missions, Tragedy, Faith in hardship Scripture: James 4; Ephesians 1:11

Ajay Thomas preaches on the power of the gospel moving from head to heart. Through Ephesians 2:1-10, he shows how believers can move from knowing about salvation to truly feeling its transformative power. The gospel's victory is not just a mental assertion but a heart transformation that occurs when God's grace becomes personally real to us. Believers should examine whether they have truly allowed the gospel's victory to penetrate their hearts, not just their minds. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 Topics: Gospel, Heart transformation, Grace, Salvation, Faith

Afshin Ziafat opens CROSS CON26 by pressing the gospel into the center—its news so precious that Jesus says it is worth losing your life for, and so powerful that Satan works tirelessly to keep us blind to it. From 1 Thessalonians 1, Ephesians 2, and Romans 3, Afshin shows that we are dead and destined for wrath apart from Christ—but that "But God," in mercy, made a way for God to be just and the justifier through Jesus' finished work. The call is simple and weighty: repent, believe, and turn from idols to serve the living God—no matter the cost. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1; Ephesians 2; Romans 3 Topics: Gospel, justification, repentance, assurance, Christian joy

Matt Bennett offers practical advice for those aspiring to serve in missions. He emphasizes the need for humility by submitting your aspirations to church elders, seeking mentorship, and serving locally. Rather than rushing into the field unprepared, he encourages aspiring missionaries to pursue discernment through the local church, develop a strong theological foundation, and gain strategic ministry experience.

The Nicene Creed, formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, is a foundational statement of Christian faith, affirming the Trinity and the full divinity of Christ. It was written to refute the Arian heresy, declaring that the Son is "of the same substance" as the Father. For over 1,700 years, it has united believers across traditions, safeguarded orthodox theology, and provided a clear confession of faith. Today, the creed remains essential for defending biblical doctrine, fostering church unity, and grounding Christians in the unchanging truth of the gospel.

The panelists share how their church, Immanuel Baptist, actively reaches out to refugees and immigrants in their community, driven by a heart for the Great Commission. They describe the challenges of this ministry, such as cultural differences, lack of responsiveness to the gospel, and balancing family life. However, they also share encouraging stories of refugees coming to faith, church members stepping up to serve, and the joy of seeing God work. The panelists advise the audience to find their unique gifts and callings, build relationships, and persevere even when the work is difficult, remembering that the ultimate goal is to see people come to know Christ.

Ayman Ibrahim, born and raised in Egypt, shares his experiences of witnessing Muslims coming to Christ in Egypt, Dubai, and Lebanon. He emphasizes that the time is ripe for Muslim evangelism, as Muslims are questioning their faith more than ever before. He provides practical tips for engaging with Muslims, such as praying for them, being prepared to answer their questions, and building relationships with them. Ibrahim encourages the audience to seize this opportunity and be ambassadors of Christ to the Muslim community.

Horizons International is dedicated to reaching international students and refugees in the U.S., engaging Muslims worldwide, and equipping churches and student groups for ministry among these communities. Jim Rairick urges the audience to take action—get involved, connect with Horizons, and share the gospel with the 830,000 international students from the 10/40 window currently studying in the U.S. He highlights the need to cultivate a culture of evangelism in churches, break down racial and ethnic barriers, and develop sustainable support for international student ministry.