ORLANDO (BP) – The initial stages of Crossover are taking shape, with pastors and evangelism leaders optimistic for both short- and long-term success.
“Churches are in our online training platform,” said JJ Washington, national director of personal evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). “After they register, we onboard them into our online training platform. Here they learn best practices for event evangelism, such as the importance of prayer, event ideas, event planning, event promotion and how to effectively share the Gospel.”
An in-person training event will be held on March 24 at First Baptist Orlando for churches that have completed the online work. Host churches submit their event plans by March 29.
Crossover, the city-wide outreach held in the host city prior to each year’s SBC Annual Meeting, falls under the evangelism ministry at NAMB, serving two facets.
“Our prayer is that Crossover will serve as a catalyst to either build or sustain a culture of evangelism in participating churches,” said Washington. “We have seen churches reenergized in evangelism and … hear a lot of stories about the impact of Crossover on the entire congregation.
Information about Crossover, including how to register and testimonies from previous years, can be found at NAMB.net/Crossover.
Pastor David Perez said Casa de Bendicion (House of Blessing) in St. Cloud is planning to host a block party alongside other outreach efforts.
“We have a big lake in the city where people go to walk, and so we’ll be there to give them a bottle of water and evangelize,” he told BP.
Perez is leading in mobilizing Hispanic churches in the area.
“We are promoting Crossover among all of them,” he said. “In this area, I think we have around 24 Hispanic Southern Baptist churches. We have great fellowship together and gather for a time of prayer each month.”
Like Casa de Benedicion, New Covenant Bible Fellowship in Orlando participated in the 2010 Crossover.
“We were getting ready again in 2020, but COVID didn’t give us that opportunity,” said New Covenant pastor Charles Jones, focused on mobilizing Haitian pastors. “So, we’re excited that the annual meeting has come back.”
His church will also host a block party, alongside a place for drive-through prayer.
“I have pastors outside of Orlando who have already said they will be joining us. Locally, we are having one-on-one meetings with local pastors and coaching them on how to get members and other leaders involved.”
Enrolling pastors began through the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC).
“Our convention staff initiated the registration process in our state for those who want to help by praying, hosting and serving,” said Tanner Cade, FBC communications and events manager. “Momentum from Crossover encourages churches to be on mission in their communities, whether it’s kickstarting a new outreach or encouraging them to extend their work of sharing the Gospel.”
The FBC has a goal of 1,000 participating churches, 10,000 Gospel engagements and 1,000 decisions for Christ through Crossover. More information can be found on the state convention’s website.
“Crossover is important because it is all about the gospel,” said Washington. “The objective is to saturate the host city and target area with the Gospel. From my seat, it is always a pleasure to see a national entity, state convention, local associations, churches and seminaries cooperate to take the gospel to a target area.
“Pray for good weather! Most events are outdoors, so good weather is essential. Also pray for the Lord to prepare the hearts of the lost people who will attend these events and for the churches to faithfully and boldly proclaim the Gospel.”
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