THE TIME IS NOW!
Casual Christianity has become a plague in the church of Jesus Christ. Reaching the world with the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ receives a yawn at times, rather than the movement it deserves. The world is yearning and crying for someone to stand up and tell the story of Jesus Christ.
While we can become so blessed by our own work in the world or even through our church, we cannot settle in this moment of time. This is a seasoned moment, a special moment, a one of a kind moment in the scope of history. If you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, trusting in Him alone for your salvation, then this is your time in human history. As all of us who have been changed by the power of Jesus Christ report for duty to our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, we must stand ready.
I Love To Tell The Story
Yesterday morning at our Pinnacle Hills and Springdale Campuses, we sang the old hymn, I Love To Tell The Story. It was an amazing moment as all of God’s people engaged in singing a hymn that many of them learned as a child, but the tune and lyrics grabbed the attention of all. It is an easy song to sing, therefore, masses cried out to the Lord wanting to tell the story of Jesus and His love.
As Evangelical Christians
As evangelical Christians, our missional vision is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations. We believe this is the heart of Jesus Christ. We believe this is His Great Commission. At times, Satan detours us on to some of the side streets of life. Sometimes, it is the things of this world. At times, the distractions of our job or vocation, or even family, lead us down these side streets. Sadly, even some elements of Christianity get us off on side streets. Various matters begin to dominate our thinking from one issue to another and none of them really help us to keep our eyes on our missional vision.
This Week At Cross Church
This week at Cross Church we have a rare opportunity. We have the occasion to get off the side streets of life, or even of our Christianity. We have the opportunity to get back on the main roadway to fulfilling our mission of presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.
Our Partnership With Southern Baptist Gospel Churches
Cross Church is a part of a vast partnership of 50,000 churches and congregations that comprise the Southern Baptist Convention. This convention of churches has two major mission-sending ministries:
*The North American Mission Board, which is based in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia
*The International Mission Board, which is based in Richmond, Virginia
This week at Cross Church, the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board, and the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention will commission 58 new missionaries who will serve outside of North America. Eighty-five percent of these missionaries will serve in level three countries, which are countries that are hostile to Christianity. These missionaries will leave their families, churches, jobs, and careers to pursue the calling of God to make disciples of all the nations. These 58 new, God-called missionaries will join 4,900 other missionaries who serve in 189 countries of the world through our International Mission Board.
Our Commissioning Service
This Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m., on our Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus, we will join in partnership with other churches and commission these 58 missionaries to their God-called places in the world. It is a one of a kind services, a lifetime opportunity, that none of you want to miss if you are near Northwest Arkansas. Most every one of us can prioritize our schedules and lives to participate in this tremendous moment in time.
Let’s Walk Away From Casual Christianity
It is time to walk away from the casual Christianity that declares “I don’t have time” or “I have an appointment” or “my child is doing this or that.” Developing a true legacy of faith, which is what IMB President Dr. Tom Elliff talked about with our people on Sunday, calls for a specific moment in time when everything changes. A new, definite moment when our direction and heart moved towards God in a new way.
I challenge you as your Pastor and friend, walk away from your normal Wednesday moments and schedules. Then, walk towards God and His heart:
Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.
Let’s walk together towards God and His heart this Wednesday night. This is our moment. This is our time.
Yours For The Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church: Mother’s Day Pictures, Global Missions Day, and More!
This coming Sunday, May 12, and the week following will be comprised of some powerful and meaningful moments in the life of Cross Church. I am talking about “game-changer moments” and spiritual memories that will be with you for life. Let me bring you along.
Moms, bring your families -or- Families, bring your Mom on Sunday!
On Sunday morning, May 12, before or after worship services, we want each Mom to have her picture made, free of charge, with her family. Mother’s Day is always a special day at Cross Church and this Sunday will be no exception. Take advantage of this opportunity! Come early or stay after worship, whichever works best for your family. Many photo stations will be available on each of our campuses to expedite the process. Please note that we are closing down each photo station five minutes before worship begins and will reopen them following worship. Moms, bring your families! Families, bring your Mom!
Fabulous, visionary preaching will happen this Sunday!
The trustees of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention will be meeting in Northwest Arkansas during the week of May 12. Therefore, an opportunity has been afforded us to make May 12 a powerful, exciting day – a day we are calling Global Missions Day. We are honored to have guest preachers on each campus and I assure you that you will hear some incredibly powerful preaching relating to global missions and the Great Commission.
Springdale and Pinnacle Hills: Dr. Tom Elliff
President, International Mission Board
Service Times: 9:15 and 10:55 a.m.
Fayetteville: Dr. Gordon Fort
Senior Vice President, Office of Prayer Mobilization and Training, International Mission Board
Service Times: 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m.
College Avenue: Lance Morton
International Mission Board Missionary Appointee
Service Time: 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, missionaries from around the world will be present at all our campuses and will be speaking to several small groups and encouraging our people.
Do NOT miss Wednesday Night, May 15 — A once in a lifetime experience!
On the evening of May 15, at 6:30 p.m., Cross Church Pinnacle Hills will host the appointment service of 58 missionaries that will serve around the world through the International Mission Board. These are our missionaries! On this evening, you will hear from Dr. Tom Elliff, President of the International Mission Board, and witness the appointing of 58 missionaries that will serve in countries around the world. At present, the SBC has nearly 4,900 missionaries serving internationally. Again, these are our missionaries as we support them financially through the world missionary enterprise of Southern Baptist churches called the Cooperative Program.
It is incumbent on each of us to insure that our families are present at this once-in-a-lifetime experience! This appointment service will be held at our Cross Church Pinnacle Hills campus but all campuses will engage in the experience and you will want to be a part of it. Please note that all other Wednesday evening events will be cancelled at each of our campuses to ensure that all of our people can attend the appointment service.
Pray now and all week for what is before us
Cross Church family, we need to pray diligently and earnestly for these upcoming days. They should not be regarded as “irrelevant to me.” If worshipping the Lord, celebrating family, sending missionaries out, and honoring the Great Commission are not relevant to you, then you are in critical condition spiritually. Pray for the days before us and I’ll see you then.
Yours For The Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.