About Cross Movement Ministries

Below is a reprint from the "Kingdom Building Brochure" that we send to people who inquire about Cross Movement Ministries, Inc.  By February 2002 we aspire to post our 2001 annual report and current strategic plan which will include our vision statement, mission, goals, and more.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."—1 Corinthians 1:18

Cross Movement Ministries is a team of ministry minded individuals who primarily exist to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout urban areas, and assist in discipling those who believe.  We have special interest in the negative impact that secular hip-hop culture has had on urban areas, and therefore place a heavy emphasis on challenging and replacing its non biblical philosophies with biblical ones.  Through various means, The Cross Movement aims to employ an evangelistic task force that demonstrates and promotes solid commitment to the person and mission of Jesus Christ.  Through godly lifestyles and proactive participation in evangelistic efforts, this team of believers plans to positively affect a hip-hop influenced world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Cross Movement's attempt to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and model what difference His truth makes in ones life, they have chosen Christian rap as a primary means of communicating to urban areas.   Believe it or not, the rapper has become one of the most influential propagators of philosophy in urban society.  Most would agree that among those who are in, or influenced by hip-hop culture, rap has had a lot of negative impact in spite of some of its positive impact.

Jesus Christ left His people for such an emergency, and in light of this human emergency, an alliance of five  individuals have committed their lives to making a change for Christ.  Currently five individuals comprise the group known as The Cross Movement, but he ministry is comprised of many others.

Each member in the group is actually a solo artist that functions under the umbrella of the collective group.  Since unifying in 1994, one of the members, John Wells (The Tonic), founded an independent record label—Cross Movement Records.  They since have independently released two compilations albums—Heaven's Mentality and House of Representatives.  Both albums received Dove nominations, and Heaven's Mentality received a Stall Award nomination as well.

In addition, as planned by the ministry, the first of their solo projects, The Ambassador's "Christology: In Laymen's Terms," was released (November 1999).  Some have communicated that they see these albums as having contributed to the reformation in the Christian rap arena.  Stereotypically Christian rap has not been well supported or well produced, but The Cross Movement has been categorized as being different.  They take no credit nor esteem themselves as a "great crew," but insist that their independent releases are demonstrations of God's grace.  To go along with the rap albums, The Cross Movement filmed a video for the song "House of Representatives."  It played on such television stations as B.E.T, Fish TV, and others.

Musically, The Cross Movement has been known for a few distinctives—a strong theological emphasis and authentic east coast flavor.  Salvation, and the elevation of Jesus Christ as universal Hero, is a repetitive and overriding theme in their music even to the point of frustration for some.

In response The Cross Movement maintains, "We willingly wear the chains of the Gospel, and claim to know nothing else among you, but Christ and Him crucified."  The world goes from bad to worse, and evil spreads with increasingly rapidity, but Christians rarely seem to get inspired by this to turn up the volume of the divine Gospel message.  By God's grace the truth of the Gospel unreservedly and unashamedly.

Over the last five years (1995), The Cross Movement has seen a rapidly increasing support base consisting of individuals and groups, high schools and colleges, and Christian churches and organizations.  The course of ministry has included a variety of settings and contexts such as urban and suburban communities, correctional facilities, schools, churches, festivals, evangelistic outreaches, music halls, and arenas.  The team has served on two overseas mission trips for the purpose of evangelism and music ministry, and schedule for another in the summer of 2000.  Many strong relationships have been established and are continually being developed with many committed believers in Christ.  The ministry's desire is to network and co-labor with all types of people who want to see the hip-hop culture transformed by the self sufficient power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A desire to serve in these capacities for a lifetime inspired tem to form a nonprofit ministry.  Philadelphia, where the group originally met, became headquarters, and by 1996, the nonprofit was a reality.

As of late in 1999, they received 501(c)3 tax exempt status and now operate as a charitable religious organization.  They seek individual as well as corporate support and assistance, so they can grow and develop into an urban ministry capable of maximum effect.  They have a web site, www.crossmovement.org, which is quickly becoming an information and resource center.  Through this avenue, they have been able to receive support and hear wonderful testimonies about the impact that their ministry is having around the world.  For over five years now at evangelistic concerts, conferences, rallies, and retreats they have been graced to proclaim the gospel, seeing many come to place trust in Jesus Christ.  Many of their peeps have joined this cause, using rap as a vehicle to combat what Satan is doing in, and through the hip-hop generation.  The Cross Movement is looked upon by some as a mentor, and capitalizes on that honor by stressing the importance of sticking to the message of the Cross.  Their hearts are also heavy for their generation in regards to full-time Christian service.  They urge their peeps to consider giving themselves to Christ, and committing to a lifetime of Christian ministry and education.  After all, we need to be fully equipped to ministry in this post-modern era.

Future plans for The Cross Movement include many things of which an inner city learning center is key.  This band of traveling evangelists would like to use the favor that God has shown them to one day start a learning center where they can help the hip-hop generation learn and live out biblical principles in an urban context.  For now, they plan to continue using evangelistic rap that honors God, and traveling to cities sharing the gospel.  While consulting with and remaining accountable to a board of church leaders and solid Christians, The Cross Movement will grow, expand, and remain in a lifetime of Christian ministry.  Please help them by prayer, giving, advising, and assisting.  For more information, call (215) 423-1800.