What is the C.R.O.S.S.?

The Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church is dedicated to making disciples for Jesus Christ. Our main focus is to lead others to Jesus and to help them to become spiritual leaders that will not only turn Sherwood upside down for Christ, but Arkansas, and the World. We are determined to help guide youth in their spiritual walks with Christ and to help them become the type of Christian’s that God desires them to be. We are a three-fold ministry here at First Baptist Church. We believe that all Christians are required by Christ to do three things. We are to make disciples, tell others about Christ, and to be servants. This our mission, and our mission statement can be summed up in one word, the C.R.O.S.S. Let us tell you a bit about our C.R.O.S.S. ministry.

THE C.R.O.S.S. STUDENT MINISTRIES

Christ Reaching Outward to Save Sinners – This is our first area of ministry: Discipleship. Our job as Christians is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. When someone becomes a part of the youth ministry at First Baptist, he or she will be taught the Bible and what it says. We believe the Bible is the inspired book of God. It is God-breathed and is flawless. God gave us guidelines to live by, and they are all found in His Word. We believe that Jesus Christ died on a cross for all men. His blood that was shed on the cross covers all sin when one asks Christ to come and live in his or her life. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrated his own live for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died for you, and not only that, He was raised from the dead three days later. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are what we teach the youth at First Baptist. Here, youth will be indoctrinated with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our desire is that the youth of First Baptist grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, and that they will strive to live lives that are pleasing and honorable to their Savior.

Christians Reaching Outward to Save Souls – This statement represents the second part of our ministry. We have been commissioned as Christians to tell others about Christ. This is the evangelical part of our ministry. We have a heart for people who do not know Christ. We desire to reach out to the community of Sherwood and abroad to tell others about Christ. It is God’s will that none should parish. Therefore it is our job to go out into a dying world to let them know of God’s love and how they can have eternal life. We strongly believe in what Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 28:19-20. It says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We want to let others know that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can get to heaven except through Him. Jesus loves you and wants what’s best for you. And what’s best for you is Him.

Christian Reaching Outward to Serve the Savior – The last part of our ministry here at First Baptist is to serve others. We long for nothing more than to reach out to others to allow them to see the love of Jesus working through us. Jesus was a servant, and as Christians, we are to strive every day to be like Christ. In Mark 10:45, we see that Jesus was more than just the King of kings, and more than the Lord of lords; He was also a servant to the people of the world. This verse says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus desires that we follow in His footsteps by being servants to the community of Sherwood and to the rest of the world. The youth of First Baptist Church are willing to do any acts of service, not for their own honor, but for the honor and glory of God.

Activities

We have numerous activities that are happening each month. We would love nothing more than for you to come and fellowship with us and to be a part of all that our group has to offer. We have everything from youth choir to youth drama, in addition to special activities, such as retreats, mission work, and many more fun events. You do not have to be a member of First Baptist Church to join in our activities. If you have any questions on any up-coming events, just give our church office a call, as we would be more than willing to help.

In Closing…

While it would be wonderful if you were to join our church, that is not our biggest concern. Our primary concern is your relationship with Christ. If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity: Heaven or Hell? Our prayer is that you are a Christian. If you have never asked Christ to come into your heart to save you, it’s really simple. First, you must confess to God that you are sinner and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Secondly, put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, and that He was raised from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion. Thirdly, ask Christ to come and live in your heart. Allow Jesus to enter in and clean up all that sin that is in your life.

“…If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved … for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9,13.

If we can be of any service to you, please do not hesitate to let us know, as we want to serve you in any way we can. We hope to see you soon at the C.R.O.S.S.