The purpose of Cross Over Ministries is to spread the life changing message of Jesus Christ and his word to ALL who will hear it. The method used to help accomplish this is through downloadable audio teachings online.
Jesus tells us in John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life”.
God planted the idea to begin this "online" ministry in 2008 as a way to spread the gospel beyond my local church and community. This is not my sole ministry focus but rather an extension of it.
I pray that as you listen to the messages, they will be both encouraging and challenging and the Lord will speak to your heart and reveal himself in a new way. Feel free to listen online or download the content to your computer and burn a CD for yourself or to give away!
I appreciate hearing your feedback so feel free to leave a comment on the site or e-mail me directly at: coministry@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting the site and please come back soon! New messages are posted weekly.
God Bless,
Stephen Matthews
Who Is Stephen Matthews and Cross Over Ministries?
Wow, where do I begin (haha)!! I will attempt to answer this question in four parts. Past/Present/Future/Personal
THE PAST:
I grew up around church ministry and music my entire life. My parents served as worship leaders in several churches for more than 30 years. In 1990 they obeyed God's call on their lives to begin a church plant and became ordained ministers. My father pastored the church (Living Faith Worship Center) for 3 wonderful years prior to merging with our "parent" church in Houston, TX. We witnessed incredible growth and ministry through God's power. My parents continued serving and ministering until God called them each home to Heaven. My mother (Mary) passed away in 2005 and my father (Jerry) in 2007.
I began serving in ministry at a very young age through music. My parents were gifted musicians and thankfully God chose to grant the gift of writing and playing music to me as well. In addition to serving as a drummer/bass/guitarist in numerous worship bands I also ministered with my parents in countless concerts and television/special appearance events.
However, there was also another area of ministry that God was nudging me to follow. He revealed his calling on my life to be a pastor when I was just a teenager. Like so many others, I chose to not embrace his calling for many years. I decided instead, to keep my focus of ministry in music and pursue MY career goals and MY plan for the future. While knowing the entire time that I needed to surrender to God's call on my life and obey his plan for my future.
I am thrilled to say, that's how things WERE and not "ARE" any longer!
THE PRESENT:
I made the decision in early 2008 to obey the call of God on my life to preach and submit to his will and purpose for my future. I desire to not just serve and obey God with PART of my life, I want to serve and obey him with ALL of my life. I have chosen to give HIM the control of my present and future, and fulfill the plan he has created me for. As a result, I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in "Biblical Studies & Pastoral Ministries" in addition to serving in my church in both a teaching and worship capacity.
This website is another way that I am obeying his call on my life. Crossover ministries is a direct result of my efforts to be obedient to HIS plan for me. I know that my words alone cannot offer the world anything of substance. The only life changing power that exists is the power of Jesus Christ and his words. As God gives me these messages and insight, I prepare and record them in total faith and trust that the end result will be HIS words, HIS message and HIS power. I pray they will impact the lives of everyone who listens. I trust, obey and DO. He does everything else.
I also continue to pursue my passion for music and Jesus Christ through writing and playing music. I currently have almost 80 original songs/arrangements online (www.soundclick.com/digitalstorm) and update it regularly as I write/record/post new songs on the site.
THE FUTURE:
Only God knows the future so for me to type much here would be pure speculation! The only thing I am certain of is this, I am determined to obey God’s call on my life and I put no limitations on what that plan is. My only interest is in knowing that I am on the track to fulfill the plan Jesus has designed for me. The days of me trying to figure it all out are DONE. The bible tells us to lean NOT to our own understanding and I am striving daily to live by those words.
I am excited to see the ministry opportunities that God will open in the coming days/weeks/months/years!!!
PERSONAL:
I am 36 years old and have been married to my incredible wife (Amy) for 10 years. We live in the Houston area and have 2 Pugs (Lilly & Lucy) and currently fostering a wonderful baby girl.
Additional Website Links:
Digital Storm The Music Of Stephen Matthews
www.soundclick.com/digitalstorm
This is my “music” site that contains nearly 80 original songs and arrangements.
Story Telling Without Saying A Word The Music Of Jerry Matthews
www.soundclick.com/jerrymatthews
Please visit my father’s tribute website above. It contains many of his original songs, pictures and videos. I know you will be blessed by his inspirational music and life
