Orlando | More than 50 churches from across the country joined forces in and around Orlando, Fla. for the annual Crossover event June 1-6.
Crossover takes place the week before the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. It focuses on an evangelistic effort in the city and surrounding area where the meeting is taking place and is organized by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and local associations.
Churches hosted outreach events, conducted services projects, sent volunteers into the community, and more to share the gospel to those in greater Orlando.
“What a sacred privilege it is to serve at Crossover and have the opportunity to meet needs and share Christ,” said Illinois native and Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) executive director Sandy Wisdom-Martin. “This is when Southern Baptists are at their very best. We come in the hopes of being a blessing. Without fail, the experience blesses us.” Wisdom-Martin served at First Baptist Church of Leesburg, a church known for many compassion ministries. That’s also the church where the FAITH evangelism strategy was developed.
Members of Uptown Baptist Church in Chicago joined with First Baptist Church of Apopka in hosting a community block party.
Two churches from Illinois participating in Crossover were Casey First Baptist Church and Uptown Baptist Church in Chicago.
Uptown spent time helping First Baptist Church of Apopka reach their community of 60,000. The group handed out clothes and food to those who visited while kids enjoyed a petting zoo. While visiting, one woman accepted Christ and was baptized (see photo on right).
“I’ve already heard encouraging reports from the pastors and churches involved, and I am praying for a great harvest here in Orlando,” said Tim Dowdy, NAMB’s vice president of evangelism. Dowdy will present a report to messengers at Annual Meeting on the gospel presentations that occurred during Crossover and the number of people who professed faith in Christ.
–Kayla Houchin, with reporting from Baptist Press