Who we are

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. : : GALATIANS 6:14

CrossTraining is the Oak Ridge Baptist Church Teenage Ministry. Its desire is to create an environment for teens we don't know to be introduced to Christ and to create a workable environment for teens involved with us to receive the Word through discipleship and preaching.

The Cross Training concept communicates teaching ORBC teens the importance of the cross. Because of the cross, we work and live. Because of the cross, we gather on Sundays and Wednesdays. It is because of the cross that we are what we are. Cross Training describes briefly the purpose of our youth ministry. Cross Training to me is the business we are in. It is teaching teens the supremacy of the cross in every area of their life. I believe that no one can think too much on the cross, because at the cross there is deep conviction, humble servitude, heavenly awe, salvation and desire to evangelize. Cross training comes from the idea of bringing others to the cross and teaching our teens to take up their crosses. This will be the theme for the group, and it fits appropriately under Oak Ridge Baptist Church’s theme "Declaring Christ in the community. Developing Believers in the church."

Cross Training meets at various times and places. It may be on a field after an activity, it may be in a bus on a trip, or it may be at our Bethel Valley Road property. However, the normally scheduled meetings are on Sunday mornings at 10:00am, and Wednesday nights at 7:00pm in the Cross Training room (downstairs at the end of the hallway on the right) at Oak Ridge Baptist Church.

Anyone grades 7-12 is invited to attend. We encourage every teen of our church in this age group to come to every meeting, and to invite their friends. If a ride situation is a problem, please see Pastor Jon or Beth. We welcome people who have never been to our church before; in fact, it is wonderful to have new people. The lessons are relevant to teenager’s lives, grounded and completely tied to the Word of God.

We primarily serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and we believe that we are to glorify Him in all we do. The leaders of Cross Training are Pastor Jon and his wife Beth. They oversee all the planning, scheduling and running of the activities. We have several other helpers that work tirelessly to see Cross Training succeed in the life of your teenager. These dedicated servants make up the Youth Staff for Cross Training. Currently, we have two couples and a single working for Cross Training.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

1 Corinthians 10:31 gives us our standard of measurement for everything we do. Our goal will be to adhere to and follow the standard of God-glorification in every area of our ministry.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Cross Training is a family-based program for assisting parents in growing God-centered teenagers. We will provide opportunities for spiritual growth and commitment, as well as outlets of service and fellowship. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 God gives the Cross Training ministry of Oak Ridge Baptist Church its priority. Cross Training does not undermine the ministry of the parent in the life of the teenager; in fact it places it of importance. We believe our ministry is one of cooperation in bringing your teenager to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1)

We will emphasize a Biblical worldview, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a preeminence of God and His Word. I want the teens of Oak Ridge Baptist Church to think through the framework of the eternal. The desire is for every teenager to “seek things above.” Colossians 3:1

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Corinthians 4:3)

Every opportunity will be taken and utilized to further the gospel in the life of your teen and those we come into contact with. We will also seek to create Gospel thinking teenagers. Cross Training is the desire to bring others to the cross and to teach believers to take up their cross.

Posted by jonkopp at January 1, 2005 12:52 PM | TrackBack