America Needs a Spiritual Breakthrough
America is broken and in deep need of a spiritual breakthrough. Division and hatefulness are abounding as none of us would ever imagine. Our greatest hope is a spiritual breakthrough in America.
While America Divides Further, Billions Across the World Need Jesus
Billions of people are in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As more than one-half of the global population is now living in the cities of the world, missional strategies that address reaching the cities must emerge.
We are seeing the persecution of Christians across the globe escalate, and it feels close to home with American pastor Andrew Brunson being held unjustly in Turkey.
We are facing one of the most dangerous times across the globe in our lifetime. While encouragement occurs from time to time, we remain in fragile moments globally. We need a spiritual breakthrough.
Yet, for those of us who know Christ personally, we are well aware that our greatest hope for the world is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and make disciples of all nations.
Sadly, a divided church has a hard time calling a divided nation to unity, and we have an even more difficult time keeping our focus on the gospel and it being the greatest hope for every person in the world.
America is Also in Great Need Spiritually
Across the nation, missiologists remind us regularly of the extreme spiritual lostness in our own nation. As this lostness escalates across America, our spiritual crisis is undeniable.
This is a time when the churches across our land need to rise up and meet this opportune moment with hope. Our churches must be even more committed to sharing Christ endlessly within our town, city, or region.
The churches in America are in need of a spiritual visitation by the Holy Spirit that will call them out of their lukewarm status and cause them to return to the power of the gospel. Jesus is still the greatest hope in every town, city, and region in America.
Politically, America is in trouble. The disappointment of our political leaders not working together for the common good of our nation has Americans filled with all sorts of emotions, many of which are not healthy. This partisan decision making is hurting the progress and future of our nation greatly.
Our politics represents our spiritual condition in America as well as the brokenness in families, churches, and pretty well every area in American life. This does not deserve applause, but spiritual humility and brokenness.
Yes, we need a spiritual breakthrough in America.
Only God Can Give Us A Spiritual Breakthrough
We need a major spiritual breakthrough in America and around the world. Jesus is still the answer and the gospel is still our hope. The churches across America and the globe must experience a spiritual awakening and find a way to prioritize sharing the gospel again.
Our churches must call out to God like never before. Our desperation for a breakthrough of God will be met with mercy and grace from the Lord alone.
May the power of God come upon us until the breakthroughs come.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, National Day of Prayer
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, President of the National Day of Prayer, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Summer Updates
Over 2,300 in Vacation Bible Xtreme and Over 200 at Middle School Camp
The Lord is moving at Cross Church this summer! We saw over 2,300 people involved in Vacation Bible Xtreme on all of our campuses and over 200 involved in Middle School Camp. Through VBX, we saw 116 come to faith in Christ and of these, 23 have already been baptized, advancing in their new-found faith walk. Through our Middle School Camp, 19 came to faith in Christ and of these, 10 have been baptized and are also advancing in their new-found faith walk. Follow-up is continuing with all of these new followers of Jesus Christ. Thank you, staff and Dream Teams, for making both of these ministry events last week powerful and life-changing! We are making disciples and teaching them what Jesus says in His Word.
Over 50 New Students are Registered for the Cross Church School of Ministry, Kicking off in August
Our Cross Church School of Ministry prepares leaders for life, ministry, and gospel advancement globally. On Sunday, August 5, we will graduate 21 Ministry Residents from our 2017-18 program and send them out to advance the gospel. When we have a new class of Ministry Residents come into our ministry on August 19, 2018, we will have 52 new full-time staff members who will engage with us for one year as we pour into, teach, and empower them to launch out in ministry advancement globally. Our upcoming sixth class will be our largest ever, and we give God the glory.
The Holy Land was Powerful!
As you know, we just returned from the Holy Land on Saturday evening. The Holy Land trip was powerful! It was so engaging. It is a rapid-fire few days that challenge you to think and call you to a different level spiritually. I could go on and on, but the Lord reminded me of something so needed, that I wrote about it yesterday in an article entitled, Praying for the Needs of Others. I hope you will read it. I think you will be encouraged.
God is Calling Us to Give Weekly to and Through This Great Church!
As you know, I am deeply passionate about the subject of generosity. I call out to God each day for the Lord to bless you financially! I believe as we honor God with the first tenth and more and give it to and through our own local church, the nations will be blessed to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Last week in Israel was a great reminder of how much the world needs Jesus Christ. Therefore, Cross Church, wherever you are across the world, make sure each week you give to and through Cross Church to reach the world with the gospel, beginning right here in Northwest Arkansas. Your giving supports what we have already written about today in children and young teens coming to Jesus and being discipled, as well as the dire need to equip and launch the next generation of spiritual leaders into ministry. You cannot out-give God, so please always remember: Regardless of how much you shovel out to God, His shovel is bigger than yours! You cannot out give Him!
See you Sunday,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.