Our First Eleven Students in the Cross Church School of Ministry
On Sunday, we introduced our first class for the Cross Church School of Ministry to our Cross Church Family. From five different states across the country, God has brought this inaugural class to us. It was an epic moment for our church to see this vision come to reality.
Just Seven Months Ago
Just seven months ago, I stood before our church family and cast the vision for this school. I stated we had zero students and did not know how many we would have, but regardless, we would give God praise. All I knew is God had put in my heart the vision for the school and who was to lead it.
Dr. Jeff Crawford
By faith, Dr. Jeff Crawford left his pastorate at the Grand Avenue Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and became our first President. Since February, he has worked with academic institutions as well as many of us at Cross Church, carving the specificities of this vision. One student at a time, Dr. Crawford has cast the vision to that which was, at that time, nothing more than a vision in our hearts. His diligence to stay on task as he was working through endless details has resulted in our first eleven students.
One-Year Ministry Residency
Just as a medical doctor would spend a season of time in his medical training in a hospital, we have eleven ministers in residence with us for one year. We will pour into them, but much more important, we will lead them to do ministry, holding them accountable and preparing them to be used by God. For this residency, they are able to earn either master’s or bachelor’s level hours toward their desired degree. We have established partnerships with 12 different academic institutions.
Introducing our First Class
Two More Minutes Before You Go
There are two very important things I want to challenge you to look at and learn from. First, we have produced a short video to demonstrate one of the major reasons we are doing this school of ministry. Please take the time to watch it here. Also, I do hope you will navigate through our Cross Church School of Ministry website at crosschurchschool.com.
Send Us Your Students Next Year
We are already working on our class for 2014-2015. Therefore, send us your students. We will help them compliment their academic preparation with real ministry preparation. It is our hope that when they leave our school, we will launch a team of ministers that are ready to advance the gospel globally. We are one local church preparing people from all over the world to go to the ends of the earth to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
A Call to Pray for Revival and Awakening
I wanted to share with you an invitation that is going out to Senior Pastors today. Please help us by inviting your Senior Pastor to attend this prayer gathering September 30 – October 1.
Dear Senior Pastor,
On behalf of our Invitation Team, I am inviting you to join us in a Prayer Gathering of Senior Pastors from all sizes of churches across America, for one purpose: Praying together for revival and awakening! We will focus on praying for pastors, local churches, and our nation to experience a mighty move of God that will be a catalyst for revival and awakening.
The forty-eight Senior Pastors listed on the right serve as the Invitation Team to this prayer gathering. Each of us will be there from start to finish, totally committed to seeing God move greatly. This call to prayer is from pastors to pastors…Senior Pastors just like you. Due to our commonality of need, we are focusing on Southern Baptist Pastors. Dr. Fred Luter, our SBC President, is excited about this Prayer Gathering and wishes he could attend. He regrets he has a previously scheduled commitment that prevents him from coming. This is not a “come and go” event or a place to “come and be seen;” nor is it a denominational or political meeting. It is a serious spiritual experience of prayer with pastors nationally.
Registration & Cost
To register, click here. You are responsible for your travel and hotel room, as well as your meals outside of the gathering time. Breakfast will be included on Tuesday morning. There is NO cost for the gathering.
Hotel Reservations
To reserve a room, click here or call Hilton Dallas/Southlake Town Square at (800) 445-8667. Identify yourself as a member of Call to Prayer/Cross Church or give the Group Code CRCH30 to receive our Group Rate. We have secured a group rate of $175+ tax. Upon your arrival, each of you will receive $75 cash to supplement the cost of your hotel room. This stipend is due to a special gift from someone who believes in this gathering. The Hilton Dallas/Southlake Town Square Hotel in Southlake, Texas is only 15 minutes away from the DFW Airport. The hotel does not have a shuttle service. Once you arrive at the hotel, there are numerous restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance.
Can you and will you join us? We need you to join us in prayer. We have a limited number of rooms and limited meeting space; therefore it is important that you register as soon as possible. You must make your hotel reservations by Wednesday, September 11 to secure this group rate.
Praying for Revival and Awakening,
Ronnie W. Floyd
On Behalf of The Call to Prayer Invitation Team
15 Minutes From
DFW Airport
Hilton Dallas/Southlake Town Square
1256 Main St #244
Southlake, Texas 76092
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.