This is the official podcast of the CROSS Conference, where you can hear all talks, panels, and breakout sessions. See more at www.crosscon.com. CROSS exists for the glory of Jesus Christ, to magnify his name by calling students, through a biennial conference and resources, to go to the unreached peoples of the world where Jesus is not worshipped as God and Savior.
Rosaria Butterfield uses the story of a WWII Japanese soldier who hid in a cave for 27 years to illustrate how false beliefs trap us in bondage. Though legally free when the war ended in 1945, the soldier refused to believe the war was over, remaining captive to his false convictions. Many Christians experience similar spiritual bondage they believe they're forgiven through Christ's blood but…
David Platt addresses how believers can share the gospel naturally in everyday circumstances. Prioritizing questions applicable to broad audiences, Platt focuses on equipping Christians to proclaim the gospel with both compassion and boldness. The goal of gospel sharing is not merely personal conversion moments but fruit that extends to people's spheres of influence, airplane conversations, and…
Matt Schmucker, Ben Lacey, and John Piper honor the volunteers and group leaders who enabled CrossCon26 to happen. Schmucker shares the origin story of the Cross conference born from John Piper's dream, conversations, and prayers. The conference reflects a vision of gathering believers around God's biggest realities: His sovereignty, human sin, Christ's return, and the gospel's advance among the…
Jeremy Pierre explores how technology companies like FanDuel, TikTok, and the porn industry operate on the same fundamental principle: "We become what we behold." Drawing on Marshall McLuhan's insight that "we shape our tools and then our tools shape us," Pierre examines how technology shapes human behavior and values. God's Word provides enduring guidance for every era and every type of…
Bob Kauflin invites listeners to consider what kind of music God actually enjoys. Rather than assuming we understand God's musical preferences, Kauflin explores the deeper question of whether our worship songs align with what matters to the Sovereign God we serve. Our songs matter because they reflect and shape what we believe about God's character and worth. God deserves worship that reflects His…
Ryan Robertson advocates for missionaries and churches to prioritize global cities as harvest fields. Growing up in multicultural Toronto where he openly shared the gospel with Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim classmates, Robertson demonstrates that cities are natural gathering places where diverse peoples converge. Since Babel's dispersion, humans have migrated toward cities rather than away from them,…
Brooks Buser shares lessons from missionary work in Papua New Guinea, the world's most linguistically and culturally diverse nation. Having settled among the Yembiyembi people and been adopted into their clan system, Buser identifies six key principles three that explain why missionaries fail and three that demonstrate how missionaries can succeed. Buser's experience navigating language…
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.…
David Mathis explores why physical exercise matters for Christians in light of God's sovereignty and the gospel. He introduces Adoniram Judson, one of America's most significant figures, who was the nation's first commissioned missionary and spent nearly 40 years in Burma. Judson's life demonstrates how physical health and endurance enabled him to persevere in missionary work and kingdom purpose.…
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…