A lot will be said about cooperation in the Southern Baptist Convention over the next couple weeks. We will gather in Birmingham, Alabama and participate in our cooperative convention. We will talk about Cooperative Program giving. We will learn about the work of our cooperative institutions, boards and agencies. We will even commission missionaries and pray together for their success.
In my estimation, one of the most overlooked weeks of Southern Baptist cooperation happens the week before the gathering of the Southern Baptist Convention. Crossover is one of the greatest moments on the Southern Baptist calendar; hundreds of seminary and college students gather in the convention city to worship together, pray together, celebrate together, and spend hours sharing Christ together. It is SBC cooperation at its finest!
This year, we are gathering on the campus of The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). Each afternoon we will go as groups to partner with local churches in the Birmingham area. Our goal each day is to support the ministry of the local church by promoting their ministries and sharing Christ door-to-door. On Wednesday night, we will participate in an evangelism training simul-cast that us sponsored by the North American Mission Board equipping Southern Baptists to share Christ as part of The Who’s Your One campaign. It is going to be a great week as we share Christ and watch God work in us and through us.
It is no secret that the past couple weeks have not highlighted the best side of our denomination. However, as I gather each year with our denomination’s future leaders, I am not discouraged. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that our future consists of men and women who love Jesus and are committed to his mission. I know that our future is in the hands of a God who loves the lost more than we do.
Crossover is an event that highlights our better side and also reminds us that the struggles of our present day are worth it. We are stewards of future leaders and a message that will change the world.
Special shout out to the North American Mission Board for helping underwrite Crossover expenses. This week, we will cooperate to fulfill our “one sacred effort.” Taking the gospel to those who need to hear it.
