CROSS Conference Podcast

Kyle Claunch explores the doctrine of the Trinity and how God can be eternally one God yet three distinct persons. A seminary professor and longtime pastor, Claunch uses Isaiah's throne vision to frame this foundational Christian doctrine. The Trinity isn't merely abstract theology but a doctrine that enhances worship, strengthens discipleship, and increases our capacity to make disciples. Understanding that we serve "one true and living God who exists eternally as three distinct persons" transforms how we approach our faith. Deepen your understanding of the Trinity to strengthen your worship and discipleship of others. Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5 Topics: Trinity, Christian theology, God's nature, Worship, Discipleship

Andy Davis teaches on Scripture memorization using the Sermon on the Mount as his foundation. He explores the contrast between building on rock versus sand those who hear Jesus' words and practice them versus those who don't. Through the parable of two builders, Davis demonstrates that putting God's Word into practice creates a stable spiritual foundation that withstands life's pressures, while neglecting practice leads to spiritual collapse. Begin memorizing Scripture today as the first step toward building an unshakeable spiritual foundation. Scripture: Matthew 7 Topics: Scripture memorization, Spiritual maturity, God's Word, Discipleship, Foundations

Jonathan Leeman contrasts two paradigms for conducting missions work. As President of Nine Marks, Leeman critiques movement-driven missions while advocating for church-centered missions as more biblically grounded. Two dominant paradigms compete within evangelical missions: movement-driven (emphasizing flexibility and speed) and church-centered (emphasizing ecclesiology and accountability). Church-centered missions proves more sustainable and biblically faithful. Evaluate your mission involvement through the lens of church health and accountability rather than movement metrics alone. Topics: Missions, Church, Ecclesiology, Missions Strategy, Ministry Paradigms

Nina Buser shares the spiritual markers of women called to global ministry. A missionary to the Yembiyembi tribe in Papua New Guinea for 13 years, Buser recounts her unlikely journey from a secular, broken home to a cross-cultural calling. Encountering God's holiness and Christ's sufficiency reorients women's entire perspective on identity and purpose. Buser's transformation from disinterest to dedication illustrates how gospel renewal fuels missionary calling. Ask God to reveal His holiness to you and examine what markers of missionary character He's already developing in you. Topics: Women in Missions, Calling, Gospel Transformation, Character, Faith

Alistair Begg and Jonathan Carswell discuss effective gospel communication. Carswell interviews Begg through prepared questions about sharing Jesus, referencing Begg's well-known "man on the middle cross" teaching. Effective evangelism requires both preparation and authenticity. Learning from experienced communicators like Begg helps believers move beyond awkwardness to natural, compelling gospel witness. Practice articulating your faith clearly and compassionately, drawing from Begg's model of winsome gospel communication. Scripture: John 1:29 Topics: Gospel Sharing, Evangelism, Communication, Witness, Jesus

David Platt addresses the perennial question of discovering God's will. Acknowledging that believers constantly wrestle with God's direction for their lives, Platt examines whether Scripture addresses all decisions from mundane choices to major life directions. Many decisions aren't explicitly answered in Scripture, yet believers wonder if God cares about all details. Understanding God's character as infinitely good, wise, and loving provides the foundation for experiencing His will in every circumstance. Trust God's infinite wisdom and goodness as you make daily decisions, seeking His guidance through Scripture and His Spirit. Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; 1 Kings 19; Acts 16 Topics: God's Will, Decision-Making, Guidance, Discernment, Scripture

Brooks Buser examines language as both barrier and key to gospel expansion. Working with Radius International to help missionaries learn language and culture, Buser demonstrates why linguistic skill directly determines gospel effectiveness. Language proficiency separates clear gospel communication from muffled, ineffective witness. Valuing language means valuing the gospel's spread, as words are the vehicles through which faith is communicated across cultures. Commit to learning language with gospel intentionality, whether at home or on the mission field. Scripture: Matthew 28 Topics: Language, Gospel Communication, Missions, Culture, Barriers

Shai Linne explores the nature and purpose of the local church. This session addresses the vision to unite passion for both foreign missions and the church, noting that those emphasizing one often neglect the other. The teaching centers on how the church represents Jesus' bride and God's promise to build His church. Understanding the church's nature helps believers align their passion for missions with their commitment to the local body of Christ. Apply this by evaluating your own church involvement and how it connects to your evangelistic and missional calling. Scripture: Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:9; Exodus 19 Topics: Church, Local Body, Missions, God's Bride, Purpose

Matthew Bennett identifies and addresses the four major barriers that prevent believers from entering long-term missionary service. Bennett brings urgency and directness to a crucial conversation, drawing from his roles as church elder, theology professor, and missions director to expose real obstacles that derail missionary candidates. With compassion tempered by honesty, he explains how personal sin and poor decision-making can disqualify believers from missionary work, while offering practical guidance for those seeking to avoid these pitfalls. If God is calling you to missions, understand what barriers to prepare for spiritually. Topics: Missions mobilization, Barriers to service, Personal holiness, Obedience and calling, Long-term ministry preparation

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

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 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

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