Topic: Missions History

In his talk, Afshin Ziafat shares how we can better reach Muslims for Christ. He begins by providing a brief history of Islam and then points to the key differences between Christianity and Islam in order to provide helpful talking points that Christians can use in future conversations.

In his talk, John Piper explains how God has used biographies to encourage and motivate obedience in his own life and he encourages those listening to utilize them as well. During this session, he focuses his attention on the life of Hudson Taylor and shares several lessons that can be learned from his life.

For centuries now, college students have played a crucial role in the missionary effort. Looking back to the Second Great Awakening until today, John Piper shares the history of student missions. Please pray that the Lord would see fit to use CROSS 2013, as a key moment in this history, to encourage many students to abandon their lives for the sake of the gospel among unreached peoples.

You have the permission of CROSS to download and use this film in your small group or conference as long as it is not altered in any way. Permission is also granted to those wanting to add subtitles for translation purposes.

Looking at the years 1555-1664, Elias Medeiros explains what has been said and spread about the Reformers (especially John Calvin) and the propagation of the gospel to all the nations. He looks at where the Reformation started and who started it. He argues that it may not be what people typically read; he offers two case studies and resources for further study.

John Piper advocates for reading biographies of valiant, faith-filled saints, who were sinful, broken people who God chose to use. God can use you! In this breakout session, John looks at the life and incredible ministry of William Tyndale to encourage students in missions.

How has the globalization of the world brought about gospel opportunities? What difference does it make to talk about a globalized world? What does it mean that, “in world mission today, it’s no longer a question of the West and ‘the rest’?” D.A. Carson addresses questions like these in this breakout session.

John Piper looks at the life of missionary John G. Paton to encourage students to be bold in sharing the gospel and to consider becoming missionaries. Glancing at the example of Paul in Ephesians 6 and how this corresponds to Paton’s life, John Piper will draw out of his life lessons concerning courage.

From Dec. 27-30, 2013 — thousands of college students gathered in Louisville, KY to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and consider their role in his gospel going forth to the unreached peoples of the world. This is but a brief snapshot of their four days at the first CROSS Conference!

Throughout history, God has called the church of Jesus Christ to passionate involvement in proclamation of the gospel and alleviating human suffering through mercy ministry. Unfortunately, the church has not always maintained a healthy relationship between these two vital aspects of mission. Both Scripture and church history give us rich lessons on how best to be faithful in freeing people from both eternal and temporal suffering.

John Piper shares his reasons why biographies should be a key part of every Christian’s library. They are an efficient way of learning, they are enlivening to his faith and they inspire him to do things. In this breakout session John expounds on the life on Adoniram Judson to encourage students to participate in missions.