S.O.U.LMag Issue #18 by S.O.U.LMAG

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here are three things I attribute to being able to last over 15

years in full-time urban ministry: God’s grace, a supportive wife and mentorship. Thankfully, I’ve always had God’s grace and for over 15 years I’ve had my incredible wife, but mentorship didn’t come until around the half way point of my ministry life. As my ministry influence grew, I realized more and more that as a “Timothy”, I needed a “Paul” in my life. Some mentors are just for a season, others are for a lifetime. If you are going to make it in urban ministry for the long haul, inviting mentors into your life is a nonnegotiable. When I took over Crossover church as the lead pastor in 2002 I started meeting with a local pastor that started pouring into me. It was just for a season, but it was very valuable. In 2003 I went to a conference at Rick Warren’s church and made some connections with some of the pastors there that soon led to some great mentorship relationships that have blessed our leadership team at our church over the years. In 2004 I was connected with someone who really had a similar heartbeat and mission. I was invited to do a workshop at a UYWI conference in California. Although there were over 1,500 other leaders there from all over the country, Larry Acosta, who headed the organization, took time to talk with me. There

God’s Kingdom.

He’s about UNITING people from all different

backgrounds, denominations, theologies, etc. I’ve always loved to get people connected, but watching him inspired me to take it to the next level and push aside some of my own preferences. As I’ve grown into my 30’s, this mentorship relationship with Larry has also shown me the importance of pouring into the next generation of leaders coming up. I’ve come to realize that I now need to become a “Paul” to some young “Timothy’s” out there. A few years ago I started an annual leadership development class for men who I handpicked at my church. It’s been a huge blessing for these men and for our church, as several of them are now leading and pouring into others so we can impact even more people. As I travel and speak, I constantly have pastors and church planters ask me for advice and mentorship. After much prayer and counsel from my mentors I launched the Urban Coaching Network in 2010 and have trained nearly 30 pastors. Flavor Fest is now in it’s 11th year and has always been about connecting leaders but has developed that vision even more over the years. At this year’s Fest we have people participating and UNITING from all kinds of denominations, theological positions, preferences,

was an instant connection.

specific callings, etc. The conference attenders, speakers and artists

Over the next few years a beautiful mentorship relationship began to

artists are heavy on spittin’ theology in their lyrics, while others talk

develop. Larry and I began to talk on the phone on a regular basis and see each other at several events throughout the year. He was ask me important questions and soon I was naturally bringing up those things with him, sharing my struggles and challenges. Larry became someone to cheer me on and celebrate my victories as we built God’s Kingdom together in the context of urban ministry. He’s been there as a great source of wisdom, especially over the past few years as our ministry has gone through lots of transition and growth. I’ve learned some great things about leadership through watching Larry steward

are from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Some of the about life and their story through a Christian worldview. Stylistically with the music we have east coast, dirty south, mid-west, underground and every blend you can imagine. Do we agree on every non-essential... No. But, what UNITES us ARE the essentials and the passion to further God’s Kingdom in the urban context! So, get out of your box and build with someone that may be a little different than you. We have so much we can learn from one another - Let’s UNITE! UNITING the movement,

UYWI. His leadership style and his openness is rare, and it’s taught me some huge lessons. Larry is a connector, and I’ve learned to be better at sharing resources and getting people connected to further

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Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen

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Welcome to Flavor Fest 11 as we’re UNITING our movement! S.O.U.LMAG is the official magazine for the 11th annual Flavor Fest Urban Leadership Conference. The next “11” pages are dedicated to all the events that are part of this incredible event. If you’re reading this and you’re at the Fest our Crossover Fam would like to give you a huge SHOUT OUT and welcome you to our new facility! If you came to last year’s 10 year anniversary we had just received a temporary certificate of occupancy, so the building was barely finished with construction. All the floors were still raw and uncovered and the paint was barely dry and it was dusty. Now that we have been here for almost a year we are getting settled in. We’ve grown a lot, learned a lot and have been challenge A LOT in these past 12 months. One thing is sure though... God has been faithful! We have a lot of miracle stories to share with you. The following pages contain the general schedule, a detailed workshop schedule, presenter bios and the concert line up and beat battle details for each night. If you need more information stop by the information area in the center of lobby or stop anyone with a white Fest volunteer shirt and we’ll be happy to serve you. We’re also doing a HUGE Block Party right here on our campus on Saturday afternoon. Anytime during the conference we encourage you to go to the info. table at the center of the lobby to sign up for the area you want to serve in. So get ready to Grow, Learn, Fellowship, Serve and UNITE!

Campus Map

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1. Entrance into the main lobby

2. Registration

3. Information 4. Main Restrooms

5. Hip-Hop Shop 6. Kitchen/Food Serving Area

7. Vending Machines

8. Main Auditorium (General Sessions, Mosiax Urban Church Track, Concert) 9. Gym (Artist Track - Exhibitors during concert)

10. Kidz Wing (Media Interview Rooms during concert)

11. Kidz Vibe (Crossover Track - B-Boy Expo during concert) 12. Loading Docks (DJ Expo Room)

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13. Classroom One (UYWI Youth Ministry Track)

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14. Classroom Two (Outreach Track)

15. Video/Audio Studios 16. Crossover Office Complex

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thursday: 10/06/11 3:00pm 6:00pm 7:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

Registration Opens Campus Tours & Cafe opens @ 6pm (coffee & food) “The Movement” Hip-Hop Teen Service Campus Tours Begin Again Campus Closes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Friday: 10/07/11 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:15am 10:30am 11:30am 11:45am 1:00pm 2:30pm 3:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 7:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Registration Opens - Doors Open Campus Tours Available Worship/Prayer Main Auditorium Opening General Session Welcome! Break Into Workshops (Five Different Tracks) First Breakout Workshop Session Break Second Breakout Workshop Session Lunch (Conference Registrants ONLY) General Session in Main Auditorium (FRIDAY ONLY) Campus Closes until Evening Concert exhibitor Area Opens for Set up Tickets Go On Sale and Doors Open Concert Starts Concert Ends / Vendors area closes Campus Closes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saturday: 10/08/11 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:15am 10:30am 11:30am 11:45am 1:00pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:00pm - 5:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 7:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Registration Opens - Doors Open Campus Tours Available Worship/Prayer Main Auditorium Opening General Session Welcome! Break Into Workshops (Five Different Tracks) First Breakout Workshop Session Break Second Breakout Workshop Session Lunch (Conference Registrants ONLY) Outreach Instructions/Prayer | outside stage Hit the block; to invite to outreach @ Crossover Flavor Fest Outreach on campus exhibitor Area Opens for Set up Tickets Go On Sale and Doors Open Concert starts Concert Ends / Vendors area closes Campus Closes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sunday: 10/09/11

10:00am 1st Sunday Vibe Service 11:45am 2nd Sunday Vibe Service 7:00pm 3rd Sunday Night Vibe Service

*Flavor Fest Open Mic @ 7pm SNV! *Children’s programming available in all services.

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CHRISTOPHER “PLAY” MARTIN @mybnz

Christopher Martin is nationally known to many Hip-Hop Movie and Music fans as Play from the rap and acting duo “Kid N’ Play” starring in the House Party Movies. Now fueled with a new drive, purpose and hope in Christ he is the founder and visionary of HP4 Digital Works & Solutions. They recently launched Brandnewz.com. Christopher is now also teaching “Hip-Hop in context 101” at both North Carolina Central University and FAMU in Tallahassee, FL.

FRED LYNCH @flynchmob

Pastor of Tha MYX Church in Dallas TX, Fred Lynch is known as one of Gospel Hip Hop’s OG’s! Fred helped to build P.I.D., Preachers In Disguise, one of the first gospel rap acts, at the age of 19 and went on to record 6 albums. Fred is the author of The Script, an artistic translation of the Gospel of John, verse by verse in rap. Fred and D’Ann, his wife of 20 years, currently serve as urban missionaries in Dallas, TX with their two children: Asia and Jordan.

MARCUS GRAY - FLAME @FLAME314

Graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Boyce College, a school of the Southern Seminary. He has a passion for biblical counseling and applied theology. He enjoys giving counsel to hurting people and providing them with hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. FLAME is currently working on his Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is married to his best friend Crystal Gray and is an active member at Immanuel Baptist Church.

TOMMY KYLLONEN - URBAN D. @urband813

Tommy is the lead pastor at Crossover Church in Tampa where he has served for nearly 16 years, with the first 6 years as the youth pastor. He is known for his innovation and pioneering in reaching urban culture. Under his leadership Crossover has become a model for many other urban churches around the world. Tommy aka Urban D. has also recorded 7 hip-hop albums and performed and spoken at over 1,000 venues.

DERWIN GRAY @DerwinLGray

Former NFL player (1993-1998), Pastor Derwin L. Gray is the founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Transformation Church was birthed on February 7, 2010, with a team of 178 people. In 16 months, God has grown Transformation exponentially into a multi-ethnic congregation of over 1500. Derwin is a 2004 graduate of the Billy Graham Institute of Emerging Evangelists and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary.

LILY PERLAZA @lilygodzchild

Lily has been attending Crossover since she moved to Tampa in 2000, after graduating high school. Lily has worked in business settings and sales in Tampa. Prior to being on staff Lily worked for an international mortgage company and had a specialty of working with clients in their finances, home loan needs and foreclosure proceedings. She curently serves as the Finance Director and the small groups director at Crossover Church.

TERA CARTER @tlc116

Tera Carter serves as the VP of Reach Booking, an agency that provides booking, and tour support for all the artists on its roster. While excited about seeing the christian hip hop genre grow in the touring industry, Tera is driven by maneuvering through this field from a biblical context. Tera has been married to her husband Randy for 12 years and lives in Atlanta with their three children, Essence, Isaiah and Sadeja.

BRIAN DYE @visionnehemiah

Brian has his bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Cedarville University. Brian’s passion is to train leaders to partner in ministry to urban America. He started the ministry of Vision Nehemiah in September 2003 after realizing the need for churches to be empowered to reach their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Legacy Conference was birthed out of this passion and has grown to a national conference attracting young, urban disciples from across the globe.

Tim Trudeau @rocdomz

President and co-founder of Syntax Records. From the board room to the board in the studio, Tim Trudeau does it all. His accomplishments far outweigh his humble beginnings, yet he is still very much that child who moved to the grooves of The Sugarhill Gang. He never lost his awe for the art of hip-hop. He held fast to his desire to see authentic, stereotype-shattering music have a place on pop music’s main stage.

EDWARD BAYONET - SPEC @iamspec

Edward ‘Spec’ Bayonethas been a committed leader/member of Crossover since 1998. He holds two degrees in Advertising & Graphic Design. Spec has designed art for some of Christian Hip-Hop’s top names (The Cross Movement, Urban D., Thi’sl, J.R., Rawsrvnt, KB and more...) Currently Spec is the Creative Director for Crossover Church and a full-time local high school teacher where he teaches Graphic Design to future generations. For more details on Spec & his art visit him online: iamspec.com

BRANDON BRINKLEY - DASH @dashthedj

Dash has been around Crossover since late 2004. Moving from St. Louis, Dash attended and graduated from Southeastern University in 2008 obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting. During his time at Southeastern, Dash has held the position as a Production Manager, Editor, Director, and Lead Graphics for what started as an on-campus, student lead production (Raw TV) which was later picked up by 2 television networks. - Connect w/ Dash @ www.dashthedj.com

ILEANA BRINKLEY @ileark

Ileana graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio and TV Broadcast. With over 5 years of experience in video production, editing and photography she and her husband Dash has started their own business providing the best photography and film for different events and organizations. Ileana worked for Trinity Church in Miami, where for the past 2 years she built and managed a media team of 60+ volunteers. For more details on Dash & Ileana’s work; visit their website: www.ibcreative.co

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RICHARD MORTON @likesalt

Richard Morton has 14 years of recovery ministry leadership experience, the past 10 years with the recovery groups at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, Ga. He is a Stephen Minister and a Stephen Leader. He has listened to thousand of hours of personal stories of sexual brokenness, addiction and the damage it has caused. He has facilitated 700 + recovery meetings and read over 250 books on recovery.

JEFF ADAMS @samp700

Jeff Adams has more than 19 years of experience with Christian ministry and the music industry. He is skilled in developing record labels, managing artists, marketing talent, writing, producing, hosting programming, promoting concerts, working with youth and industry networking. Jeff worked with Grapetree Records in 1994 to help them be the first Christian Hip-Hop label to sell more than one million in sales. Today he is the CEO of Black Fuel Music/220 Entertainment Group.

Kim T. Townsel @____________________

Mr. Kim T. Townsel, M.Ed. and Level II Certified Kingian Nonviolence Conflict and Reconciliation trainer, has been selected by Rev, Dr. Bernard Lafayette to participate in the. Nigerian Nonviolent Transformational Training Project. This Nigerian Amnesty Re-entry Program includes counseling, assessments, nonviolent transformation training and job assistance to help them prepare for re-entering their communities.

DELIA HARRIS @Remixworshipper

Worship Director at Crossover church (2009- present), Delia Harris obtained most of her musical training at Patten University in voice and symphonic percussion, In 1988 she graduated the Universidad Cristiana Latino Americana in Cali, Colombia South America and graduated with a B.M. in Sacred music. In 1996 she became a licensed minister and has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally, primarily in South America.

KENNETH GODBOLT - BROKEN @brokenmuzic813

Kenneth Godbolt, III a.k.a. “Broken” was born and raised in Orange Park, Florida in an urban community heavily influenced by the culture of drugs and crime. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Church Leadership from Southeastern University and currently serves as the Youth Pastor at Crossover Community Church where he, along with his team of over 20 volunteers, ministers every Thursday night to over 150 teens.

SCOTT FREE @IamScottFree

Scott Free is an evangelist, pastor, and hip-hop artist. He emerged out of the Miami urban hip-hop scene in the early 90’s to fall in love with Jesus. His love for urban culture and his new found passion insisted that he follow the urging to reach this same aimless and searching generation with the love of Jesus Christ. Residing in the Hip-Hop capital of the world - Atlanta GA, Scott pastors a monthly Urban & Hip-Hop service called City Takers.

PAUL FERRARA @paulpdog

TROY EVANS @ ____________________

Pastor Troy Evans (Known as PE) has been happily married for 15 years to his best friend LaDawn. They share 4 children and one grandson. PE a former gang member/leader was indicted during a grand jury investigation. After a formal hit was placed on his life he fled to Georgia and later traveled to North Carolina where he became homeless. Years later, PE surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in Detroit Michigan and began serving as a minister of the gospel on the east side of Detroit.

MILTON CAMPBELL @MILTCAMPBELL

Milton Campbell was born in Atlanta, Ga. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds a Masters in Divinity and a Masters in Leadership from Luther Rice University. Milton has a heart for people and especially enjoys helping youths understand their unique purpose. He has spent the last 11 years working with students in various capacities. Eight of those years have been providing leadership to the Children and Student Ministries at Elizabeth Baptist Church.

SORIDA LORENZO @sorida11

Sorida has been part of the Crossover Family for several years. She even drove all the way from Orlando (over an hour away) for a season. She officially moved to Tampa a few years ago and has served in a variety of ways. Sorida serves on the Flavor Fest planning team and volunteers a few days a week and helps coordinate volunteers and plan outreaches, events and fundraisers. Sorida also runs IM Events and Booking.

TYMME Reitz @ ____________________

In June of 2005, Tymme and Aury Reitz were ordained as pastors at In His Presence Church. Since then, they’ve pioneered a church service at In His Presence church called “The Underground”. This dynamic and unique service features a praise and worship team that uses original Rap and R&B music as well as dance to pursue and usher God’s presence and power. Each service, Pastors Tymme and Aury teach solid, uncompromising biblical principles in a fresh and relevant way.

Esteban Shedd @mcboogalu

Also known as Boogalu of Alert, is an average “joe” from Chicago who by God’s grace is called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through creative outlets and preaching. He is a musician and MC from the band Alert (Humble Beast) as well a servant called to oversee the production of God’s Word through the Streetlights Urban Audio Bible. While focusing much effort on these aspects of ministry, Esteban works fulltime in Chicago’s inner city with GRIP Outreach For Youth and his local church. He is also blessed to have a godly wife and a beautiful little boy and prays his family will be a genuine light of the redeeming hope of Christ on the block where they live.

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Friday Morning General Session

Speaker Name: Fred Lynch General Session Title: Family Business, Uniting the Power of Unity to Get the Job Done! Session Description: When it comes to working in the Kingdom of God, we are stronger and better together than we ever are when we go at it solo. But how can you, a “broken vessel” navigate among other broken vessels to present Christ in his fullness? Come and discover the tools that unleash the power of the greatest syndicate on earth... The Body of Christ!

Mosaix Track (FRIDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Derwin Gray Workshop Title: Leadership Lessons I’ve Learned From My Hall of Fame Football Coaches Workshop Description: The Church stands or falls on the shoulders of Her leaders. Join Pastor Derwin as he shares practical lessons on Transformative Leadership gleaned from his NFL football career.

UYWI Youth Track (FRIDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Richard Morton Workshop Title: Encountering Students That are Struggling With Homosexuality and Lesbianism Workshop Description: Across the United States more and more of our youth are coming out of the closet. What once was taboo has now become a fad. As leaders called to serve youth, we must be prepared to minister to students that enter our ministry struggling with their sexuality. This workshop will provide practical tools to minister to students struggling with their sexuality.

Artist Track (FRIDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Flame Workshop Title: Up Close and Personal with FLAME Workshop Description: Come learn from GRAMMY, Dove, and Stellar nominated artist FLAME in a fun-filled yet personal workshop. Hear how he balances life as a husband, artist, and label owner while remaining devoted to Christ and Christlikeness. Come ready to learn, take notes, and ask questions! No holds barred!!

Outreach Track (FRIDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Brian Dye Workshop Title: Where’s Jesus in the Public Schools? Workshop Description: Are you frustrated with our public educational system? Does it seem like there is no hope for public schools in America? Do you want to make a difference but don’t know how? This workshop is for you! We will discuss how the church can be a blessing to the school and have an impact on your community. Hear testimonies and ideas that will spark your passion to reach the lost and be a light.

CCC Track (FRIDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Delia Harris Workshop Title: “Performance -vs- Excellence” Workshop Description: So many times the worship arts in our churches feel that we have to choose between excellent artists with poor character or mediocre artists with a great character. This workshop will consist of the reasons why we believe we can have both excellence in artistry and character.

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Mosaix Track (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Tommy Kyllonen aka Urban D. Workshop Title: The Nuts and Bolts of Running an Urban Church Session Description: Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen and a panel of urban church planters will discuss how planting a church can be difficult and how doing it in the urban context can at times seem impossible. Striving to reach this population brings with it whole different set of challenges and dynamics. Tommy leads a coaching network that now has over 30 alumni and he’ll be joined by several of these pastors on a panel in this session. Tommy and the panel will address several things like discipleship, follow up, staffing, outreach, and raising money. Other concerns may be addressed during the Q and A session where the audience will be able to engage with the panel.

UYWI Youth Track (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Ken Godbolt Workshop Title: Being a Leader Who Remains Solid At Heart Workshop Description: Let’s face it, urban leadership is a high calling, but a most difficult one at that! How can you continue to lead bold ministries among the challenges of the hoodâ€¦without losing your own heart and soul in the process? How can you lead from a position of greater wholeness and health?

Artist Track (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Jeff Adams - 220 Entertainment Workshop Title: Music Industry vs. Ministry Workshop Description: An inside look at how you were created and called to music. This session will take a hard look at the differences between industry and ministry and the struggles many artists/labels can face.

Outreach Track (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Scott Free Workshop Title: Missing the Mission Workshop Description: Most artists will say “I want to reach the streets!” but when you take a closer look, very few are actually doing that. This workshop will help you engage your community by using your gifts, talents, and music to impact the urban culture. You will learn practical ways of becoming more effective in your mission and calling by developing strategic partnerships and serving others in your city. This will result in bearing more fruit and a greater impact outside the four walls.

CCC Track (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Paul Ferrara Workshop Title: What is the next level for your kids ministry? Workshop Description: This intense, fun, interactive, hand on seminar will help you find that next level. We’ll dive into: How to start up a kids dept and keep it running, Fresh ideas for volunteer recruitment and starting up a volunteer central, How to delegate to your workers so that you’re not stressed out, Proper security techniques, Sign in and out techniques, High energy praise and worship songs and motions, How to use the arts your ministry, Making disciples and Where you can find good teaching materials that are relevant/can be made relevant to the urban context.

Friday Afternoon General Session

Speaker Name: Christopher “Play” Martin

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SATURDAY Morning General Session

Speaker Name: Pastor Tommy Kyllonen General Session Title: GENERAL SESSION Session Description: Of course many people talk about unity as it sounds good and it’s biblical, but what does that really look like in action? We are at a pivotal time in our movement. Christian Hip-Hop continues to grow in influence and now many churches are being planted that intentionally engage urban culture. But even with all this growth and forward movement, there is a growing rumble of division over theology, methods, and preferences. What does it look like to really filter through these things and still work with other brothers and sisters in Christ to further the gospel and reach our cities for God’s glory? Don’t miss this candid session as we get honest about where we’re at as a movement.

Mosaix Track (SATURDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Troy A. Evans Workshop Title: Church Planting on The E.D.G.E. Workshop Description: Evangelizing, Disciplining, Spiritual Growth, Empowerment” - Have you already answered or in the process of yielding to Gods calling to urban church planting? This workshop will equip you with practical tools and ideas on how to plant a church where living on the E.D.G.E . (Evangelism - Discipleship - Spiritual Growth - Empowerment) is in its DNA. Attendees of this workshop will leave challenged to not just do nice church things but “BE THE CHURCH” and feel empowered to move forward to the next steps of urban church planting.

UYWI Youth Track (SATURDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Milton Campbell Workshop Title: Under Pressure: Lifting Your Lid Before You Pop Your Top Workshop Description: We all have areas of ministry life that makes us want to explode. There are days when it can feel like everything is pressing in and we no longer know which way is up. How do we look to the leadership that is “above” us? How do we submit to a vision that is not our own? When we feel stuck and burned out how do we not just survive but thrive in ministry? This workshop will help us to look at those difficult elements of ministry and learn some practical ways that we can navigate through those difficult places.

Artist Track (SATURDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Timothy J. Trudeau Workshop Title: Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business Workshop Description: Creating great art will does automatically give you a platform. Having a great heart does not automatically give you a platform. Doing “business” is an unavoidable reality for anyone who has a great heart and wants to create art and use it as a platform. During our time together we will discuss the secrets to being successful in the music business. Although our time is short, by the end you should have all of the tools you need to become successful in the music business.

Outreach Track (SATURDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Sorida Lorenzo Workshop Title: How to do a HUGE outreach with a LITTLE money Workshop Description: Crossover Church has done seven large outreaches on their new property. Their outreaches serve around 1,000 people each time. Everything at the event is free and it includes haircuts, clothes, food (hot dogs and hamburgers), thousands of pounds of groceries given away, free HIV, blood pressure, cholesterol screening, bouncy houses, rock climbing walls, flag football, face painting, basketball tournaments, hip-hop concert, dental care and several resource tables... wow! How much does all of that cost? Usually, less than $1,000! Come find out how to mobilize an army of volunteers and partner with others to pool together your resources and bless your city with the Love of Christ!

CCC Track (SATURDAY MORNING)

Speaker Name: Spec, Dash’& Ileana Brinkly Workshop Title: How’d They Do That? Workshop Description: Learn how the creative team at Crossover utilizes their artistic gifts and talents of volunteers to create a long lasting impression to visitors and viewers from around the globe. This session will focus on developing a brand, working with a team, and delivering it for masses. If you are a creative person (video, design, multi-media, etc.) or you know this will benefit you and your organization; then you won’t want to miss this action packed presentation.

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Mosaix Track (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Pastor Tymme Reitz Workshop Title: Breaking Ground Workshop Description: This workshop will teach you to build a ministry/Church using practical tools and strong biblical faith without missing the heartbeat of God and the Leading of His spirit.

UYWI Youth Track (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Kim T. Townsel Workshop Title: Helping Youth To Manage Anger Workshop Description: Helping Youth To Manage Anger provides alternatives for those who serve youth and families some fundamentals to learn how to effectively & responsibly meet the challenges of confrontation, the art of negotiation, and the reality of dealing with adversity. This training will address the critical issue of helping youth who are overtly demonstrating acting out behaviors, as well as those who are presenting concerns in terms of developing negative patterns.

Artist Track (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Tera Carter Workshop Title: Booking 101 Workshop Description: How do you maneuver through a touring/booking world that tends to be so focused on skill and performance? What should a rider consist of? How do festivals work? All these subjects and more will be covered in this practical workshop and will end with an Q&A segment.

Outreach Track (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Esteban Shedd Workshop Title: From Prayer to Paper Clips Workshop Description: Means of communication are ever changing alongside the tides of technology, yet people, God’s Word and the transforming Gospel news of Jesus Christ remain timeless. How do we, as Christ’s witnesses in an ever shifting culture, brainstorm and execute relevant means of proclaiming the Gospel while remaining genuinely loyal to eternal truth? From prayerfully giving birth to vision, to wise fundraising and godly stewarding of resources, we will chop up what it means for God’s people to combine creative gifts and Spirit lead projects to reach our modern world. t!

CCC Track (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)

Speaker Name: Liliana Perlaza Workshop Title: Making It Work Workshop Description: This workshop will focus on the administrative/finance side of daily task within urban ministry. Organization/Structure is key to flow and success of a ministry. Come learn how Crossover has put policies into place, created structure within the ministry and finds effective creative ways to make every penny stretch.

FLAVOR FEST 2011 OUTREACH

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* This listing does not include all churches doing this, but this is a list of several that are known and have relationships with each other.

Urban Jerusalem - Minneapolis, Mn Pastor Stacey Jones www.urbanjerusalem.com Sanctuary - Minneapolis, Mn Pastor Kevin Farmer www.sanctuarycov.org

EMF - Racine, Wi Pastor Rob Torres www.emfellowship.org

Da House - Chicago, Il Pastor Phil Jackson www.thahouse.org

The Underground - Los Angeles, Ca Pastor Tymee Reitz www.theunderground.la

ParkCrest 7th Street - Longbeach, Ca Pastor Josh Chavez www.parkcrest7thstreet.org The Myx - Dallas, Tx Pastor Fred Lynch www.thamyxdallas.com InHimChurch - Phoenix, Az Pastor David Vasquez www.inhimchurch.org

Life Church - Waco, Tx Pastor Gabriel Dominquez www.facebook.com/life-church-waco 99.1 Church - Austin, Tx Pastor Marcus Bell-Winston www.991church.com

Eyes On Me Church - Houston, Tx Pastor Bobby â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tre-9â&#x20AC;? Herring www.facebook.com/hiphophope

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The new urban church planting movement movement is growing as there are dozens across the map. They saw the void of engaging ministry in the urban community and they responded. They are churches that are doing things differently. They are multi-ethnic, relevant, biblical and they use elements of Hip-Hop and Urban Culture in their worship experiences, outreaches and discipleship approaches. Many of these churches are thriving and growing and most of them are led by pastors under 40 years old. Welcome to the new urban church...

Harvest - Milwaukee, Wi Pastor Darnell Robinson www.harvestcovenantwi.com

The Edge - Grand Rapids, Mi Pastor Troy Evans www.theedgegr.com

He Is Risen Tabernacle - Bronx, NY Pastor Alex Pagani www.hirtonline.net Elements Church - Bronx, NY Pastor Efrian ”Brother E” Alicea www.elementsbx.org

Hip-Hop Street Church - Newark, NJ Pastor Ruddy Daville NEW CITY CHURCH - CLEVELAND, OH PASTOR DAVE BEVER www. newcitycleveland.com Revolution - Gary, In Pastor Ryan “DJ Rhino” Flemming www.therevolution.net

The Rock - Philadelphia, Pa Pastor Buddy Osborn www.rockministry.us Ephiphany Fellowship - Philadelphia, Pa Pastor Eric Mason www.epiphanyfellowship.org

Exodus Church - Nashville, Tn Pastor Jason Blackburn www.exodusnashville.com

Blueprint Church - Atlanta, Ga Pastor Dhati Lewis www.blueprintchurch.org City Takers - Atlanta, Ga Pastor Scott Free www.freestylemissions.com Impact Church - Rome, Ga Pastor Phillip Edge www.impactrome.com

The Vine - New Orleans, La Pastor Corey Hicks www.thevinenola.org

Remix @ The Springs - Ocala, Fl Andrew Masterjohn

krosswerdz - sydney, australia Pastor evan Lawrie www.krosswerdz.com

Neon Church - Kissimmee, Fl Pastor Juan “Cucubano” Rodriguez www.neonchurch.com

Crossover Church - Tampa, FL Pastor Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen www.crossoverchurch.org

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THE NEW URBAN CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENT

WRITTEN BY: SKETCH THE JOURNALIST

In the next year, if you happen to make a new acquaintance who tells you he’s a pastor, try not to act surprised when you later learn he either moonlights or has a not-so-hidden background as a rapper or a DJ. Seriously, it’s getting (and will continue) to be fairly commonplace as more and more members of the hip-hop community come into the faith and find ways to mesh their cultural ties with their new life in Christ and their callings. Over the last decade hip-hop led and influenced houses of worship have seemingly popped up all across the United States. From the pioneering Crossover Church in Tampa, Florida to The Revolution in Gary Indiana, these new-style churches place a heavy emphasis on service-driven outreach and safe and loving atmospheres for biblical life-change that reflect the music, dress, and language of the neighborhoods that surround them.

If they won’t send us, fund us, or provide the people support; we’ll just do it ourselves... “When I’m introducing The Vine to new people I tell them that we’re a cutting edge, multi-cultural church with a hip-hop influence,” pastor/rapper Corey Hicks said. “We do hip-hop in our worship and intro and outro music, but we also play gospel and contemporary music too.” However, Hicks said that at times the hip-hop label can work against him such as when he’s trying to court the financial and spiritual support of “seasoned saints” who mistakenly assume the faith community he’s building in post-Katrina New Orleans doesn’t have anything to offer their souls. But when such ministry challenges present themselves, Hicks has a group of colleagues he can lean on for advice via the Urban Coaching Network (UCN). UCN was founded in 2010 by Tommy “Urban D” Kyllonen to offer more direct, small-group consultation to ministers seeking to break into or succeed in building God’s kingdom alongside members of inner-city and hip-hop culture backgrounds. Kyllonen’s Crossover Church is often looked at as the national blueprint for such efforts and even spawned the annual Flavor Fest urban leadership conference designed to equip and empower such ministry initiatives. But even still, there appeared to be a heavy demand on Urban D’s time related to direct instruction and encouragement in this area which then spawned the UCN. Although he had already launched and been running a similar church effort in Gary, Indiana, Pastor Ryan “DJ Rhino” Flemming said that, for him, the Urban Coaching Network “was like a cool cup of water on a dry and parched throat.” He said that UCN’s monthly, two-hour, webinar-based conference calls with other like-minded ministers

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offered him fellowship he often couldn’t find locally because most church elders and denominations were following a contemporary, suburban (often Caucasian) model or a traditional, black gospel approach. “It was just never really contextualized very well for the type of people I felt God calling me to reach,” Flemming said. For him, UCN offered friends and peers who understood the ins and outs of his daily grind – a precious resource because “ministry can be a pretty lonely place.” Both Flemmings and Hicks said the network offered them a place to float ideas and seek input on a number of outreach events and programs – something they believe is a key component of the new, multicultural, urban church movement. “More than just hip-hop music, people really connect with you when they know you genuinely have their best interests at heart.” While not a member of the Urban Coaching Network, Houston’s Eyes On Me Church takes a similar approach. Founder/rapper Bobby “Tre9” Herring said their motto is to “make missionaries, not members” and that their goal is to plant churches in non-traditional settings like group homes for troubled youth or the second floor of a county jail. Herring attributes the rise of these types of hip-hop-member-led churches to a vacuum of leadership in larger denominations willing to focus their efforts on aggressive urban street missions. “If they won’t send us, fund us, or provide the people support; we’ll just do it ourselves,” Herring said. He said he believes that in order for the church-at-large to grow in this area, it needs to break down certain pillars of the American Christian mindset. “I believe a lot of rappers could be pastors but get hung up or feel boxed in by these traditional ideas that say to before you can start a church you first have to find a choir, acquire a building, get a formal budget, etc. etc.” “Look at the Gospels. Did Jesus need a cushy office building and have to worry about overhead expenses to be a pastor? The answer is no. So why let that hold us back from fulfilling His call of going out and making disciples?”

Welcome to the new, urban Christian church.

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ash is back at Crossover after some time in Miami. He got married to Ileana in March of 2010 and headed to Miami to work at Apple and eventually at Trinity Church. While in Miami, Dash also was DJing at 88.3 FM FNF, Miami’s Christian radio station. Now we have heard of “cutting it up” and “having chops” in music lingo but Dash got all that and then some. Brandon Dashiel Brinkley, DJ Dash is a second generation DJ who has been officially spinnin’ since he was about ten years old. Because his father was a disk jockey since way back, Dash learned the ropes of DJing with his Dad’s vinyl collection at a very early age. He and his dad would tag team weddings, church events, and other gigs. Dash’s DJing career really took off at a local skating rink called the Palace in Saint Louis. The Palace had some serious DJs come through and Dash was there as a little tike takin’ in the skills that God would soon consume for His glory and soon propel Dash into what he is today- a very skilled and God honoring DJ. Dash’s first radio experience was at Southeastern’s college radio station WSEU in Lakeland Florida from 2004 – 2008 where he landed his own radio show called the Lab. Dash first came to Crossover in 2004, which he heard about while at Southeastern. He soon realized that he was now representing something bigger than himself. He realized that he was now representing his school, his church, and that the music that he chose to play would reflect his walk and the kingdom of God.

Dash’s blog bio reads, “I was promoting a lifestyle that wasn’t pleasing to God, promoting the artist that wasn’t living for God, and I was promoting my reputation that was not representing God to the fullest like I should. My music library was horrendous, one half Christian and the other half was all secular, but the clean and edited version, like that was any better!” Eventually God started taking away the desire and the taste for the junk that destroys and corrupts. So Dash gradually deleted his sin-filled music. First he got rid of the R rated stuff, then went the PG-13 stuff, etc. and soon completely gave over his talents to the Lord. While at Crossover and Southeastern he started getting called out to DJ events as his skills continued to grow. I sat down and asked Dash what his accomplishments were in DJing. He told me about Miami FM radio, WSEU, Crossover Church, concerts, B-Boy jams, his appearances on various Christian artist CDs and other amazing accomplishments. I then asked Dash what he thought was his greatest accomplishment as a DJ? With all these accomplishments and radio spots and all, Dash answered that his greatest accomplishment is not radio, or all the spot light, or the invites from national acts to go on tour. He simply replied that his greatest accomplishments were the outreaches and the juvenile detention centers he spun at with Crossover. Dash’s response makes us realize that he is not into DJing for the show and the attention. As Dash continues to develop his talents as a photographer, videographer, and drummer, this guy will always be known as DJ Dash along with all his other talents. This is a gifted dude and he gives these gifts right back to the Lord and his purpose. Keep posted with Dash at his website www.dashthedj.com S.O.U.L | Pg29

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If you ask her about music she will tell you about her heart for God. Samantha Bernardo a.k.a Sicily is a woman of God whose art is a pure expression of love and passion for Jesus Christ, worship, and submission to His will. Born in Brooklyn, NY she now lives in Tampa, Florida as an urban missionary. Sicily’s devotion to the Lord has her casting aside pride and vanity for the purposes of worship and devotion to God. She brings an unmatched power and authority to the microphone. Sicily creates in such a way that demands attention and points to the Most High God in ways that people listen and respond. Many people will tell you that they found salvation in Jesus inspired by Sicily’s music. Her abilities go beyond her power and wisdom on the mic. Sicily is also a producer and has been making music since she was about eighteen years old. Sicily produces, mixes, records and writes all her own lyrics. Sicily has been doing her thing for the Lord with her many musical gifts for over seven years. If you have not heard her freestyle skills you are missing out. When you ask Sicily about her many talents she always reminds us of who she does this for, setting aside her pride and giving back to the creator- as we listen in we are taken to a place of serious respect and attention to God. Sicily has her own up and coming record label called Shake Tha Ground Studios. If you have not heard some of her producing abilities there is plenty to get your hands on. Sicily has three mix tapes as free downloads. These productions have more heart than a lot of the stuff out there and you can hear the time and effort she puts in. Her first mix tape is titled The Show is Over. This joint reveals Sicily’s desire to distance herself from performance and the show and to instead give glory to God. Her second mix tape is called Welcome to the Funeral and Sicily takes it even further with the theme of dying to self and living for Christ. In the latest mix tape Son Struck, Sicily raises the question; why are we too often star struck instead of Son struck by the Son of God? Sicily’s first album is titled Sicily the God Daughter. Deep calls to deep in this album as Sicily deliverers the gospel message relevantly to the listener’s ear. She knows pain and the reality of life’s struggle without God. Her lyrics relate to those who have been abused and afflicted by sin’s destructive force. Her empathy for those struggling without the Lord comes through strong and with authority as she reminds you of the healing power of Jesus Christ.

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By Keryln

At the tender age of two, Kelly’s parents knew that God had blessed their child with something special. As both of her parents were musically inclined, they encouraged Kelly to start singing at the church they were attending. She began to sing with the children’s choir and later, at 17 years old, became the youngest and only female singer of a HipHop/R&B group called Focused. Three years later, at just 20 years of age, Kelly released her first solo album entitled Seasons Change. R&B and Soul infused, this album has been well received by the Christian community. She is currently on a tour called Back to Life Summer Tour, which will take her to big cities such as Miami, Philadelphia, and New York. God has definitely blessed this young woman with an incredible talent. We were fortunate enough to talk to Kelly about her past, present and future. Peep the interview…

SM: Tell me about your beginnings in music.

On my Ipod: I have so many, let’s see... mostly who I’m listening to right now is Leah Smith, Beckah Shae, Pastor AD3 and Group 1 Crew.

KK:Yes I’ve always wanted to sing! I started singing at the age of 2, and my parents realized as I got a little older that God blessed me with that gift. When I was 6 years old I started out in the children’s choir at my church. I was very shy but I began to get solo parts and that helped me come out of my shell a little bit. When I would sing at church people would always come up to me and my parents telling us how I blessed them with the song I sang. Even at a young age I knew that singing was a very helpful resource to get the gospel out there, everyone loves music. I started writing songs at the age of 11 and at 13 and I joined a gospel group with four others. We traveled around New York singing and ministering to young people our age. I knew that God was using us, and from that time on I knew this was what I wanted to do forever.

SM: Are you currently working on any projects? What can we expect to hear from you in the future?

Did you always want to sing? How did you discover that God wanted you to sing?

SM: What is the heart behind your ministry? KK:

I want to reach everybody, but mainly the young people. Through my music I want to express how living for this world is just living in vain, and that God is the only one who can give eternal life. When I write music I try to make it relatable to people my age, just with a positive message. I want to show them that there is hope in Christ! After my shows, praying with people and having them open up to you is always a great feeling. Knowing that God could use me to encourage someone else is humbling.

SM: What are your musical inspirations? Who’s currently on your iPod? KK:

I’m inspired by different things. Even listening to the radio, and hearing all the garbage they talk makes me want to just go write a song about the total opposite. Or hearing stories from friends or other people sometimes inspires me to write a song about what they’re going through.

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KK: Yes! Well my first album Seasons Change came out earlier this year, but right now I’m working on new material for an upcoming E.P. It’s going to be a little different from my album because as an artist you grow as you continue writing and going through life. So I’m excited. It should be out late 2011/ early 2012. SM: Do you have any other hidden talents you would like to share?

KK - I’m a good listener. If I wasn’t a singer I’d want to be a counselor, I feel that God gave me a heart for people, to help them with their personal issues and eventually point them to Him.

SM: What are 5 things you can’t live without? KK: God, Bible, Music, iPod, Lip Gloss SM: Any last words for all of your fans and supporters? KK: Yes thank you all for supporting me! Supporters have a huge role in the music industry and their feedback is what pushes me to move forward. For more information on this dynamic young woman of God, please visit: www.holyzonerecords.com, or catch her on twitter by looking for: @KellyKelz5.

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Walking on the Stars

By Kerlyn Joseph

Meet Manwell, Pablo and Blanca. Three phenomenal individuals who the Lord has chosen to win souls for His kingdom through music. Dove award winners, GMA award winners, and all around international stars, Group 1 Crew is making serious noise for the kingdom. The mission behind this group is to share the love of Christ with people while encouraging their listeners to dream big. This crew has definitely dreamt big and it is evident as Blanca stated in a recent interview, “we came from nothing and we’re doing what we love to do”. Hailing from Orlando, Florida, this group was birthed from what started out as a bible study group by the name of Group 1. As time went by, three members with a similar vision emerged out of the larger collective, and added ‘Crew’ to their title to give us what we now know as Group 1 Crew.

In a recent interview, band member Blanca explains how they were discovered. “They found us on Myspace”, she says. Almost immediately afterwards, they were flown out to Nashville to try out for record labels. In 2007, they released their self-titled album under World Entertainment. They fused pop, hip-hop and funk into a compilation of 13 tracks. Their singles “Love is a Beautiful Thing” and “Forgive Me” received great notoriety as they were in heavy rotation on many popular Christian radio shows. The crew wasted no time and got right back in the studio.

we came from nothing and we’re doing what we love to do In their 2008 release, Ordinary Dreamers, the group experimented with a more electronic pop/rock sound. In the hit single, “Our Time”, we get a light, pop rock vibe as the members talk about spending time with the Lord on a daily basis. Another smash hit off of this album, “Keys to the Kingdom”, is more heavily rock as the guitar riffs are stronger and louder. The song is declarative, and encourages listeners to press on in the faith and unlock the potential that is present in the Lord. In their recent release, Outta Space Love, the evolution of the group’s sound is unmistakably evident. They take you on a ride in space but still maintain their signature sound and hip-hop roots. Their first single, “Walking on the Stars” is quickly moving up the charts, while another song from the album, “Breakdown”, has been placed on E! Network’s Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami. The Lord is definitely using their talent and relevance to appeal to the masses!

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Even with a hefty tour schedule, interviews and appearances, the members of Group 1 Crew remain grounded and loyal to their origins. They recently took time out of their busy schedule to headline a benefit concert for Crossover Church in Tampa, FL. The proceeds to this benefit went towards Crossover’s new building fund. In a backstage interview, Pablo emphasized “We LOVE Jesus”. When asked if they ever conceived winning all the awards and popularity, Manwell responded, “We don’t really revel in the awards. We’re more excited about where we’re at, as far as the ministry is concerned; the impact and the gratitude that people share with us. That is an award”. As a last thought for the fans he encouraged, “Expect much from yourselves, from us and from God; just expect. Live in expectancy”. In their expectancy, Group 1 Crew has managed to travel the world and touch millions of lives with the message of Christ. God has transformed these individuals from ordinary dreamers into extraordinary believers. We can hardly wait and see what He will do with them next!

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Behind every Christian R&B and Hip-Hop artist there is a story about how God transformed their life, molding them into who He created them to be. For upcoming Christian singer and rapper Dinah Gomez it started in September 2004 when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. At the time she was a single mother raising her four year old daughter Amaya, and working full time in Tampa, FL. Growing up in the Bronx, Dinah was accustomed to a very fast paced lifestyle. When various trials hit she always found the strength to rise to the occasion and overcome. Looking back on it now she realizes it was God who always held her steady in place as He was strategically mapping out her journey. While separated from her husband for almost two years, Dinah found herself learning to cling to Christ more and more. Although battling a bodily ailment and being a single mother, she constantly remained in prayer and became a student of God’s holy word. Once equipped, she began sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ by using her gift to sing and rap. In 2005 she formed a group with her brother called “Cord of Three”, where she co-wrote and performed throughout FL and NY. They released a mixtape entitled “Life Application”. It was the beginning of a ministry that God would use to strengthen her gifting and confidence for His glory. In 2007 Dinah and her husband Jose renewed their wedding vows. Shortly after this celebration Dinah became pregnant with their second child. It was during this pregnancy that the kidney disease she is battling kicked into full speed and she became very ill. Although weary and burdened Dinah never stopped writing poetry and new songs glorying the Lord in the midst of various trials. Some of these

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trials included unresolved issues with her husband that almost resulted in divorce. In 2009 Dinah tried to take her own life by consuming a bottle of her medication. Due to this cowardly act, she was placed on a baker act and sent to a psychiatric unit in Tampa, FL. After two days inside this facility she asked herself one question: “what am I doing here?” The answer came about three hours later when she took a seat next to a young woman who had been at this facility over sixteen times for suicide attempts. Dinah shared the gospel with this young woman who later gave her heart to the Lord. She later wrote to Dinah telling her that she believed God had sent her there just to give her the gospel. It was at that moment that Dinah realized her life was not her own and she would proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ using the gifting that He has entrusted to her as long as He allows. It is by grace alone, through Christ alone, standing on scripture alone, walking by faith alone that Dinah continues to persevere sharing the gospel and her story for one purpose, His glory alone. Dinah’s continual prayer daily as she reaches out is: “Lord, lead me”. Dinah is currently working on her first debut album entitled “Vindicated” (her name in Hebrew). Proceeds from the album will help with medical and immediate needs. She is currently heading up the PRAYground Benefit Tour throughout FL sharing the gospel, her testimony and raising funds for the album. You can stay connected with Dinah by visiting her website: www.dinahmusic.com and by following her on twitter.com/D_HisGloryAlone. Please pray for Dinah and her family as she continues to battle kidney disease.

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Interview By: CLOK

Marcus Gray a.k.a. FLAME is what I’d like to call a Stealth aircraft. He’s so humble that many times I believe he goes undetected to the masses but when you notice his craft you can’t help but to be in awe of his capabilities. The general design of a Stealth aircraft is always aimed at reducing radar and thermal detection but in Flame’s case the heat that he gives off can’t go unnoticed. Don’t get me wrong… The genre knows who he is, but do you really know who he is? Do you appreciate the man like you should? In the midst of everything going on with Christian Hip-Hop… Did you forget about FLAME? Well, we didn’t… Besides launching his new label Clear Sight Music with his wife Crystal and signing his first artist, V. Rose, FLAME has been around the world and back again ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, charting on itunes and Billboard with the release of his latest album “Captured”, but with everything going on in the genre, that may have flew silently right past you. As we speak to FLAME about his new label, album, and his new artist, we also see how his life was threatened for the sake of the Gospel. Without further adieu … I reintroduce to you: FLAME! S.O.U.L.: First of all I just want to thank you for doing this interview with S.O.U.L.Mag and with some of the things that have been going on in the movement of Christian Hip-Hop with the success of Lecrae and Reach Records and with what happened with Ambassador and Da T.R.U.T.H. I feel like you’ve kinda slipped under the radar with everything you’re doing with your most recent album and your new label. I feel like you need a reintroduction in a sense so people can get to know you again. Let me start off by asking, from your first album which was self titled to your most recent album “Captured”, tell us how you’ve grown spiritually and musically? FLAME: First of all I think that’s an interesting observation. I think from one vantage point, I can see myself going under the radar because there was a lot going on and in Christian rap there is only but a small amount of space to share, so when so many things are going on that receive so much attention I can definitely see how someone can go under the radar. But then on the flip side I think the Lord has been so gracious and so kind that in the midst of all of that allow your boy to still have a presence. Not just for the sake of, but still have a presence

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so that people can continue to enjoy what they’ve enjoyed from my ministry, so I thank God for that. And, just thinking about the quote, unquote success of the “Capture” album with the #1 and #5 Billboard charting and #1 itunes charting, and the record sales, and the traveling, the consistent traveling, I think in that sense, I haven’t gone under the radar. And I think that contributes to the second part of the question (how you’ve grown spiritually and musically). I think the Lord has really allowed me to establish a trusted name in the body of Christ in general but also in the Christian Hip-Hop scene. I’m also now with a new booking department “Jeff Roberts Agency”. They book for “Casting Crowns,” “Leland,” “Skillet,” “Brit Nicole”, “Jimmy Needham,” even being with those guys has put me in new places and I’ve developed and expanded in my audience. So spiritually man, I’ve been able to be around different people and I’ve been all over the world. My wife and I spent the month of January in Africa. We went to five different countries: Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and both Cape Town and Jo’burg. We’ve been to London, Paris, all over the Caribbean Islands, you know just doing ministry, meeting people, it’s just been a blessing to grow in my love for the Lord and to establish myself as a husband. Just hearing different sounds all across the world, hearing different things that people enjoy and wanting to incorporate some of those things in what I do now. I think has contributed to my growth over the years as well. S.O.U.L.: Praise God bro, so with everywhere you’ve been and based on how you grew up in the inner city of St. Louis and having lost your grandmother who you say was the most influential believer in your life, a lot has happened from the time you accepted Christ to pursuing your call. You got signed and went to bible college, you got married, and traveled around the world… what are your ties to the city of St. Louis now? FLAME: Well, basically my ties run deep man. I’m from St. Louis-born and raised. I’m only four hours away so I go home frequently. Most of my years in ministry were spent in St. Louis. I have family and friends in St. Louis that are involved in ministry there, so my connection is current. It’s real, it’s deep and my wife and I are looking forward to returning at some point and serving alongside of those who are doing a great job there now, so St. Louis is definitely one of the major places that’s on my heart. S.O.U.L.: That’s what’s up! So, from being an artist under the Cross Movement umbrella and releasing four albums with them to starting your own entity with Clear Sight Music, how did you come to terms with that decision? Did you feel like it was time to move on to do your own thing business wise?

FLAME: Yes! I did feel like it was time to move on and do my own thing business wise. But, one of the main reasons, well really there are three reasons. So the first reason: my wife and I wanted to bring to the forefront some New Testament ideas. How the community of Saints rallied together, had all things in common and they held each other accountable. There was authority in place and we wanted to bring some of those ideas to the forefront in the Christian Hip-Hop circle so Clear Sight Music is not only a record label but it’s also a ministry within our local church and we have authority and accountability involved. People who are praying for us and serving with us make sure that we are doing the most quality ministry we can. That’s one thing. The second thing is: we really just wanted to bring some new artists to the forefront. Some people that love the Lord, love people, hate sin and that are incredibly talented. We wanted to bring them to the forefront with the financial backing and momentum that they may not have had prior to, so that’s the second thing that we’re mostly excited about is serving others in new ways. The third reason is: an economic motivation, just being married and having a family now and thinking about expanding a family in the future. I just wanted to be able to support them financially so it made sense with the trusted name and the establishment that God has given me to expand it and take it to the next level so that even financially I could sustain and be able to give more to my local church and to the body of Christ. S.O.U.L.: Family is definitely first and God rewards those who are faithful over the little. I see he’s making you ruler over much! So I rejoice with you in that. I gotta say man, it was a privilege to see you perform/minister at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and I can see that you’re a real genuine, humble dude. You talked to everyone who came up to you. Do you feel obligated to converse with the people or is that just your personality? FLAME: I would say that it’s both. I feel obligated number one because I’m a Christian. I’ve been saved by God’s grace and He owns my life. Jesus owns my life. And I’m called to serve. So I feel obligated to serve. Not out of duty, but out of love. I feel obligated to say thank you to the people that support me and my wife and pray for us and benefit from what we’re doing and my personality is shaped by the Gospel so I want to continue to have the type of personality that’s appreciative, that’s honored and that sees myself as a servant, not as one here to be served. So I want to connect with the people and I want to hear their hearts in what the Lord is doing through the songs. I want to hone in on those things so that I can continue to do them, so that’s my heart behind that. S.O.U.L.: Yes sir! Now another thing I did notice was that your wife Crystal was with you at the show and it seems like she was wearing multiple hats! FLAME: Absolutely. Really man, my wife, I praise God for her. She’s just an incredible (arm) of the company and really, she’s involved in everything, you know, from the decision making, to the business side. As far as administrative things, she’s working with the booking department, coordinating flights, gathering itineraries. She’s running the sound with me when I travel. She’s working the product table. She’s involved in the marketing and promotion of the album. She’s praying for me and with me, so through and through she has her hand in, she’s doing a such a stellar and phenomenal job. Just all the way around the board, she’s contributing excellence to the Clear Sight Company and I couldn’t do it without her and it’s a privilege to serve with her, not only as my wife and best friend but my business partner. S.O.U.L.: No doubt. Now that leads into my next question, if you don’t mind me asking-how long have you two known each other? I see on your bio, on

your website, you call her your best friend. How did you know she was the woman you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? FLAME: Well really, she’s my best friend. That’s not just me saying that because I have to, but it’s true. I’ve known her for eight years now and she was with me through every single mixing session from my first album to now. A lot of people didn’t know that, but just sitting through the eight hour days, twelve hour days, every single day in the mixing process she was there from 2004 to now. I met her before I was signed to CMR. We built a friendship and a love for one another since then, so just through and through again she’s been there. She is here and we enjoy serving together. The way I knew she was the one for me was her love for God. Her love for people and ministry. Her joy in the Lord. Her sweet spirit. Her servant’s heart. She’s a people person. She’s honest and teachable. She has a great sense of humor. Ya nah mean… I’m funny. I’m silly. I like to have a good laugh ya nah mean, just all the way around the board man. The Lord knew what I needed, just from every aspect of who she is, I’m attracted to, and the Lord gave me the thumbs up in my heart and through people around me that I trusted and likewise for her. Our families love each other and they love us together, so we just praise God for that and it’s a beautiful thing. S.O.U.L.: That’s a blessing man. One thing I love about your music Flame is that you put your heart on every track. With this most recent project “Captured. Was it scary in a sense to be doing this project on your own label without the guidance that you may have had previously with Cross Movement? I know your heart is to please God, but was there any fear that you would disappoint the people who have followed your music? FLAME: Well first of all, man, I appreciate that. Those encouraging words and really the fear element (if you want to call it that) or the caution element really came from starting the label. The thing I was unfamiliar with, was running a label. So that was the thing I wanted to seek wise counsel, pray and be led by the Spirit. But, as far as the music is concerned, a lot of people may have never known this, but I’ve never had guidance or oversight from Cross Movement because our relationship has always been long distance. They’ve always been in Philadelphia or New Jersey and I was always in St. Louis, Missouri. So my creative process never involved them. It always involved myself, of course, J. R., This’L, J’son, my homie Kenny, these were the dudes that were around, you know from top to bottom and I would bounce ideas off of and let them hear the music in the development of what I was feeling or thinking so I’ve never had the oversight of Cross Movement. They’ve never been hands on involved in the creative process or anything of that nature. Not even the mixing. I’ve always mixed my own albums on my own. My mixing engineer his named Adam Long. We’ve been mixing together since before I was with CMR, so that element of what I do, has always been my own and that’s something that I’m excited about and it gave me the confidence to start my label because that was something I was familiar with and I didn’t have to learn. So what I would do typically was just turn in a final product to CMR and they would just send it to be mastered and manufactured. So, in that sense I was confident about starting a label and putting out a project because for me it was just sticking to the script and doing what I’ve always done and seeking to be clear with the Gospel, simple in my approach, thought provoking and speaking heart language. I think the Lord blessed me to be able to continue do that and man it’s a privilege. Good question though! S.O.U.L.: Wow, I think a lot of us may have had a misconception on how artists and the record labels operate when it comes to those types of things. Thanks for that insight. So how did the collaboration with V. Rose happen for your album and what led to her signing to Clear Sight Music as the first artist other than yourself?

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FLAME: Well the collaboration came from, I had the chance to meet her producer and manager, Spec from Spec House Media. I meet him at the Grammy’s the year Redeemed was nominated and I had a chance to build with him and talk about the Lord, music, ministry and life. So that was tight, then I had a concert in California some years after that and got a chance to see him again and V. Rose closed after my set and I was thoroughly impressed with her skills and ministry. She did a song titled “Cry Holy,” which is on her self titled project and it’s just an account of the crucifixion and her response to it. I was just overwhelmed by the power and spirit of God in the song so to speak and I’m asking around, “who is she”, “who is she,” and I met and saw Spec again and he said, “that’s my artist.” So we just continued to build, and a couple of songs came out of it for the “Capture” project. The “Surrender” joint and the “Capture Me” joint. What led to the signing was when I think about the most influential genres of music in our day and time you would have to say it’s Hip-Hop and Pop culture and Pop music is larger than Hip-Hop music, I would argue. It’s selling more records, reaching more people and so I thought it made sense if my goal is to reach nonbelievers and believers alike with relevant music. I also wanted to combat that, the most wise thing to do, I believe was to sign V. Rose because she’s just performing excellently and bringing great music and ministry together in the pop genre. You know I think it was a wise thing to do and it was a timely thing do and it seems like the Lord is really putting his hands on her music and her ministry. The music industry is embracing it. She’s charting well. She has an excellent publicity company-publicist who’s doing a great job and the fans of Flame are embracing her and she has her own fan base that she brought to Clear Sight and she’s establishing a new fan base. The Lord is blessing it. S.O.U.L.: Here is just a random question that I feel led to ask, What is your most vivid memory that you have regarding an encounter with a non believer and how did you handle it? FLAME: One of the most vivid experiences I had was when my life was threatened by a Muslim believer, an Islamic believer. I was just trying to love on this guy with the Gospel and he was offended and he literally threatened to take my life and you know it was just an intense moment. I just assured him that I had his best interest in mind as a representative of Jesus and I just wanted to show him the love of the Gospel and I cared about

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him, his life and his soul and the Lord gave me grace and softened his heart. And even to this day we’re still on speaking terms and I’m able to be around him and he’s able to be around me and he respects what I do. But just at the front and he felt threatened by my message and by what I was telling him and he put my life on the line. But praise God the Lord protected me and preserved me. S.O.U.L.: Wow, I definitely wasn’t expecting that but I’m glad I was led to ask. Now all your albums have definitely been dope. Some of my personal favorite songs from you are, “To My Heart”, “Goodness to Repentance”, as well as your more popular songs like “Joyful Noise” and “Hold On” that I’ve seen you perform, but, on your latest album you have a track called “Double Back” Featuring Thi’sl which has to be one of my top 3 songs as it stands right now from you. Explain that song and what inspired it? FLAME: Really I just wanted to highlight some New Testament principles of community, Paul talks about bearing with one another. Bearing one another’s burdens. Restoring a brother with gentleness and with patience knowing that you too can fall into the same situation (paraphrasing). Those are some of the ideas that are important to the community of believers and I wanted to highlight those things. Magnify those things and bring those ideas to the surface so that we could think about ways of loving each other and being patient with each other because in the pulpit, on the albums, we all say that the Gospel is for sinners and grace is for sinners and we all need to come to Jesus for healing and restoration and reconciliation. I wanted to remind myself and the Body that even in the most darkest hours of our lives we need each other and we need to preach the Gospel to each other and that song came out of that. And, I think it was just a relevant thing, you know, just in light of some of the things taking place or took place in the Christian Rap community and we all just need to be reminded and even in the Gospel community, all forms of Christian music, you know there are war stories if you will call them that. There are war stories in each one of these realms and we need to continue to remember to love on each other and hold each other accountable. We must play a role in the discipline with one another and again. Huge shout out to Thi‘sl because the idea really came from him. The hook came from a song that he wrote years before we even knew Cross Movement and he had a lyric in his song that said, “We got one man down, gotta double back and get em.” So I took the lyrics from that song and I kinda of expanded it and put a face on the element to it and I asked Thi’sl to be on the song for that reason and he just brought his A-game and that’s something that he’s passionate about as well. Praise God, I think a good song came out of it and I think it spoke to people’s hearts and it really inspired us to love in deeper ways. Its an expression of how we’re being loved by Jesus, by the Father, and by the Holy Spirit. S.O.U.L.: Amen! Well, on to some lighter stuff! What does FLAME like to do when he’s not in the studio recording or performing on stage? What does FLAME do for recreation? FLAME: Man good question! Well, I’m definitely busy right now traveling. At every concert it’s my wife and I and V. Rose, so when we do get down time, man, we just like to fall back and chill, read a good book, have some good bible studies. We go hit the gym, work out, get it in, catching up

on some good movies, chilling outside enjoying the sun, the breeze, like I’m doing right now, on my back porch just watching the cars going by, listening to the birds chirp and sing! We really value down time. We don’t checkout of our Christian responsibilities. You know we’re still sharing the Gospel and loving on each other and loving on people but we value a quiet day you know what I’m saying? A good book and getting good rest. Also, having fellowship with the local church men, getting a chance to be with my brothers and sisters of my local church, Emmanuel, seeing their faces and hearing about the things they’ve been praying for, and for us and letting them know how God is answering those prayers. S.O.U.L.: That’s what’s up! Speak briefly on the success of Clear Sight Music and what can we expect from FLAME in the future with the label, ministry and maybe even family wise (any little Flames in your future? Lol) FLAME: Yeah man, basically, praise God for the success of Clear Sight Music the momentum is crazy. The Lord is doing His thing and we appreciate you guys featuring us in this S.O.U.L.Mag. We really appreciate that bro. It means a lot. We’re definitely excited. I’m putting out new music and just encouraged to bring a new sound to the table-more heart language, more thought provoking music, bigger sound, bigger elements in the music. Excited about V. Rose and watching her ministry grow and expand and new albums coming from her. Some people that I believe are just going to rock your socks off with the power of the Gospel! I’m excited to see that take place in the near future. Also really excited about bringing some things to the table such as some curriculums and some different things we are going to be doing and to just come along the local church and universal church with some other elements to help them serve and to call people to Christ. And lastly, I’m really, really, really excited about bringing some new artists to the scene. I love established artists and guys who already have momentum but I really want to bring some people to the table that people may not have heard of. As far as some “little Flames” I’m excited about that, man. In the near future, in the distant future, you know, whenever God says its time. I just want to have godly offspring that we can shoot as arrows into the world for the sake of the Gospel like it says in Psalm 127. I want to leave a legacy of children that love the Lord and love people and children that would carry on the Gospel even after my wife and I are gone. S.O.U.L.: And finally brother, how can we pray for you and your family? FLAME: Man you guys can just pray for traveling mercies as we spend a lot of time on the road and in the sky. Pray that we will continue to be passionate about being on the mission field both on the home front and overseas. Pray that we will continue to love on each other and develop deep friendships within the label. That we will just continue to be eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. That we will just continue to be used in God’s hands to reach the lost. That people will be saved from my music and ministry. That people will be healed and delivered through my music and ministry. That people will be passionate about the heart of the Gospel and reconciling with one another. That’s the kind of stuff that we value, man, and so those are some of the things you can be praying for. Pray that we continue to stay before God and prioritizing him above all things. Again S.O.U.L.Mag, we appreciate the opportunity to be featured on the front cover. You guys are doing a great job and we’re just blessed to be serving along side of you guys and just pray again, ultimately, that the Lord will come quick! That Jesus will come soon and that we all can just be before Him and worshipping Him. So yeah. I’m rambling on and on, but I’m just excited, man, to see what the Lord is going to do with Clear Sight and S.O.U.LMag, so again “thank you, thank you, thank you.” I can’t say it enough. Grace and Peace. •••

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The Christian Hip-Hop Scene has continued to grow globally. The UK has become a hot spot for the genre and has emerged as the trendsetter for Europe. Flavor Fest 2011 in Tampa, Florida had four well-known UK artists representing. Their music is catching the ears of a growing fan base on this side of the Atlantic. Two of these artists actually got signed to US record labels in the past year. We teamed up with Matt Brooks of Mex Mag and M-Brio Music to get an interview with one of the UK finest… Jahaziel!

SM: Who inspired you to become a Christian rapper? JAHAZIEL: I didn’t know anything about Christian rap when I started writing, but I had a group of friends who were also writing Christian rap lyrics called Green Jade. They inspired me a lot. After I was exposed to CHH I was further inspired by the likes of T Bone, Gospel Gangstas and Cross Movement.

SM: Were there many UK Christian Hip-Hop artists when you started out?

JAHAZIEL: There were very few. The guys I knew of and consider pioneers in the UK were the likes of MOD, Set Free and Gifted.

SM: How has Hip-Hop evolved stylistically over the years?

JAHAZIEL: Over here in the UK, hip-hop has always been a subculture, and to be widely accepted it has had to broaden it’s style to accommodate the diversity of the UK. So stylistically it’s become more unique in it’s

expression. In the UK, a hip-hop artist can seamlessly weave from East Coast Banger to Dirty South to R&B to Dubstep to Grime to Indie to Pop. It’s become much more broad.

SM: What kinds of things (lives changed etc) have you seen happen because of Christian Hip-Hop? JAHAZIEL: A young hip-hop head, used to live on my road and every day he’d pass my house and I’d be banging some of my people’s music. One time we got talking and he asked me about the music I played as he liked it. I explained that it was gospel music and gave him my testimony. I hit him up with a CHH tape (shows how far back we’re going) and that was that. For the next few weeks every time I passed his place instead of Wu and Mobb I heard my CHH tape playing. Shortly after this time I had to move suddenly and never properly got to follow up with our convo, but when I ran into him next it was in a church. He told me how God used the lyrics to challenge his thinking and how he was getting some answers to questions through it. It provoked him to at least look deeper into Christ and a friend of his took him to church where he was baptized and discipled.

Jahaziel New Direction Crew

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SM:

How does the UK Christian Hip-Hop scene differ to the scene in America?

JAHAZIEL: The main difference I think is that the scene here is still developing in many ways. CHH is now gathering a lot of momentum here, but its still a new concept to a lot of people. On a plus side though because we are a small country the scene is not so divided and I think its less territorial.

SM: What makes UK Christian Hip-Hop unique?

JAHAZIEL: Think I answered that earlier, but it’s probably the culturally diverse society we live in. We have strong ties to African, West Indian, European and traditional English cultures, to name a few.

SM: Who should we be looking out for as up and coming UK Hip-Hop artists in the near future? JAHAZIEL: My team ForeRunnaz includes Tru2daName, E Tizz, Armor, Brandon and myself. Also be on the lookout for my Shloer boy family, New Direction Crew, Serene and S.O. To be real I could name a bunch more but I’m sure if you get to know our music you’ll get to know more and more artists coming out of the UK who are taking CHH to new places. www.m-brio.com | www.preacherboyentertainment.com

SM: As an artist, how do you see the signings of yourself and S.O. (both to U.S based labels) impacting Christian Hip-Hop in the UK in the coming years and how do you think it will advance the UK Hip-Hop scene?

JAHAZIEL: God willing it will expose the CHH community to what God is doing over here and encourage them to think kingdom.

E Tizz S.O.

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Making disciples and impacting the urban culture

By Gerry Van Mansfeld

According to their 2010 Year End Impact Report, Freestyle

DJ has packed it up and the traditional fellowship meal at the

Missions and it’s team, under the leadership of Pastor

Marietta Diner has settled. The real work is following up with

Scott Free, served 2000 meals to the homeless,

the individuals who gave their life to Christ or rededicated their

ministered to over 1400 incarcerated youth and 3000

life during the service. The fruit from a City Takers event usually

incarcerated adults and their music touched over

exceeds 25 people each month who make a decision. Knowing

15,000 people with over 140 salvations in 2010 alone.

this, it is easy to see the music being a tool and not a ministry in itself. “We are thankful for City Takers because it gives us the

That being said, if you stop and look only at their monthly Hip-Hop church service called City Takers, it’s

platform to invite others to make a real difference in the urban culture,” said Scott, “but, it’s not all we do.”

sometimes easy to forget the real impact the Freestyle

Many of the artists who have graced the City Takers stage over

team has outside of the event. City Takers is an “out of the

the last year will tell you the same thing. D-Maub recalls “When

box” hip-hop church service that includes your standard

I was invited, I had an awesome time ministering in song and

church elements like the Word and worship, but also all the

serving in the community. We visited a home where men were

elements of hip-hop. A DJ, the occasional b-boy and b-girl,

infected with H.I.V. We talked and prayed with them and gave

graffiti and the stage has been shared with some of the

them hats and scarves to keep warm. Because of Scott and

top performers in the Christian Hip-Hop industry such as

Freestyle Missions, my heart has been on doing more outreach.

Grammy nominated Lecrae, R-Swift, D-Maub, K-Drama,

I am now going downtown in my city to feed the homeless

Tedashii, JSON, Brinson, Rawsrvnt and many others. So

every 4th Wednesday with my church Higher Heights Outreach

many artists in fact, that some say you haven’t hit the

Ministries. Seeing what Scott does encouraged me to do more

Christian hip-hop scene until you’ve taken the stage at

than music.”

a City Takers event. “K-Drama mentioned “Whenever I am with Freestyle Missions, But the team knows the real influence in the

there’s always an out of the box opportunity to minister in a

Christian hip-hop arena comes after

unique way around the corner. Based on saying that, I can

the last artist has rhymed, the

only imagine how many unique encounters they have on a daily basis”. K-Drama experienced this first hand on a visit to Atlanta for a concert in early 2011. Scott was on the way to do an outreach at an Atlanta homeless shelter when he abruptly invited K-Drama to tag along. K-Drama later tweeted on the experience telling his followers that Scott was “the real deal” when it came to real ministry.

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DELIVERS MINISTRY WITH A WHOLE NEW BEAT City Takers is an extension of the vision and true calling of the

Pastor Scott Free followed his personal calling to not only minister

Freestyle team. To reach the Urban Culture between the ages of

to the hip-hop and urban culture but really put his hands to the

16 and 30 who lack direction, a sense of hope and life purpose. The

plow in the urban mission field. For years Scott has been a vital

Freestyle team’s goal is to create a counter culture which provides

part of Atlanta’s outreach community by feeding the homeless,

fellowship, discipleship and hope through an abundant life in Christ.

visiting detention centers, using hip-hop music as a ministry tool and

They hope by reaching the people in this culture they will realize

preaching the gospel. It’s with the heart of outreach that Freestyle

God’s calling on their lives to impact the world.

Missions was born and continues today. “This man is dedicated to serving not only in his city, but to anyone he comes in contact with

Tre9 with DaSouth.com realizes the impact Scott has had by

him,” stated D-Maub.

integrating missions and outreach with Christian HipHop. EEW Magazine and DaSouth.com recently

Scott will be the first to tell you that City Takers, the

named Scott as one of the most influential Pastors on

outreach and Freestyle Missions is by no way a one

the Hip-Hop scene. “Freestyle Missions is undeniably

man show. “It takes the hard work, commitment and

one of the most effective hip-hop missions org’s with

skills of a team.”

a genuine concern for introducing people to Jesus through hip-hop. Not only do they preach the gospel,

As with any mission, you can measure the impact

but they go out of their way to get involved in people’s

by the fruit of the ministry. Freestyle is no exception

lives, therefore impacting communities for spiritual

and truly lives up to its ministry tag line, “Missions by

transformation.” Said Tre9.

Lifestyle, Not Location.”

2011 has proven to carry a greater impact then the previous year with Freestyle Missions opening their 2000-square-foot discipleship

www.freestylemissions.com

center and the formation of a weekly Sunday night hip-hop inspired

www.facebook.com/freestylemissions

church service that draws the urban/hip-hop crowd to church. “We

www.twitter.com/CityTakers_ATL

even have some people show up who you would not expect to worship at this type of service,” said Scott. “Everybody’s welcome

City Takers Photos by: Robby Klein

and God always shows up.” The team also has many international and domestic mission trips planned taking City Takers and the Gospel around the world. Their Youth Detention Center ministry has fostered such a trusting relationship between the state and Freestyle Missions that they have been asked to launch a program for youth who leave the jail to be involved at the discipleship center.

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The Christian Hip-Hop Movement continues to grow every day. Many of you checking out this magazine are just discovering it. If you’ve been around this genre for a minute, you know its come a long way. When many of these artists release their new albums they now hit the top 10 charts on itunes and land on the Billboard charts. It’s been amazing to watch the growth in artistry and ministry. There is a lot of incredible talent out there - established and emerging. Space doesn’t allow us to review all that we would like to, but we picked some Hot projects for this issue that are definitely worthy of recognition. We even added some projects this time that have more of an R&B and Reggae flavor mixed in. These projects are available on itunes and at Crossover’s Hip-Hop Shop... we suggest you check em’ out and enjoy!

C-Straight

“So Not Cool” - Godchazers Ent. www.godchazers.com

For those of you that are familiar with my man Brinson, and Godchaserz Entertainment and love their ministry, we have another artist on their label, that you’re going to love! Now in stores and on iTunes is C-Straight’s debut album “So Not Cool.” This project is definitely a must have for your music collection. Tracks feature Brinson, Knine, Eric Dayz, and D-Maub, so you know this project is straight Fiya! On the track “God 1 Ness”, C-Straight spits about how God is not only first in his life but also last because of what Christ did on the cross for him. On the “So Not Cool” track he expresses the mc’s confession about his life before Christ. Check out the music video to this song on YouTube. This album will help you to see straight as you stay focused on the kingdom. This is also available in our Hip Hop Shop... so come see me! - Brovah Greg

Dominic Balli

“American Dream” www.dominicballi.com

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Look up America, Dominic Balli is bringing it real and points toward the redemption of this land in his new album American Dream. The song American Dream makes me think of 2 chronicles 7:14 which says “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Then to top it off, Sonny Sandoval from P.O.D. gets a say on that track and wakes us up from the vain nightmare of ego, greed, lust, and the love of money-those type of sins that are getting this country caught up. The rest of the album is just as tight-literally tight from the perspective of the organist, drummer and other musicians. All of these tracks could be a single release. All of them were very well produced-well above average quality. One thing that sticks out to me about this album is Dominic’s real empathy for the oppressed and outcast. Tracks like American Dream, Favela (a Favela is a Brazilian shanty town) featuring Nengo Vieira and Vieira’s Portuguese verse; draw you in, discuss the realities of poverty and helps us to See What we Have Become; pointing to real hope. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae chart, No. 3 on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Christian Albums chart. and No. 147 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. American Dream is a great work of art. Get this album and feel the refreshing reggae breeze of a real hope and a real patriotism that is not blind to the problems of this great land. - Dj Inchant

Kelly Kelz

“Seasons Change” - Holy Zone Records www.holyzonerecords.com

What time is it? Be still and know GOD. With this CD, that is exactly what Kelly Kelz is encouraging us to do. Never underestimate a twice born woman. Proverbs 31 may seem impossible, but it is a sin to be good, when God calls you to be great. Kelly Kelz is reaching for this mark of greatness with her every breath. YOU GO GIRL! Inspiration is overflowing from the jazzy smooth melodic rhythms bouncing across my speakers. When so much pressure from the outside be buggin’, Seasons Change brings the soft vibes of victory! Instant favorites include these songs: This Grace, I Can Make It and Monster. It’s like Kelly went back in time, gave David a high five, and personally interviewed King Solomon, while Psalms and Ecclesiastes were still drying on the original parchment. The bell rings: Flesh Monster verses Made-N-HIS-Image, the battle of our lifetimes. If we let the flesh win, greedy desires can take us to the fires. When we empower HIS image to win, we change seasons like a thermostat controlling the worlds thermometer; we change the atmosphere! BC and AD, the whole world is using our calendar. Rooted in scripts, Seasons Change is an artistic express of wisdom, that I will definitely be bumpin’ on my way to the pearly gates! - Spivey

Tedashii

“Blacklight” - Reach Records www.reachrecords.com

Blacklight is the 3rd album by Tedashi Anderson aka Tdot. This musical, lyrical masterpiece was definitely worth the wait! This album speaks a lot about the trials and tribulations that we as believers deal with on the daily, but yet helps keep us focused on the eternal, not the temporary as we spiritually fight against the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. My favorite song is “Need you Daily” feat. Pro where they spit about how much they need the Lord everyday. The beats and production on this track is bangin! The brovah is also feeling “Reverse” feat. C-Lite as they remind us that although many of us have been rejected, denied, or suffered for the sake the gospel, we will be first in the Kingdom! Featured artists on this album include Lecrae, Flame, Thi’sl, Jai, Benjah, Andy Mineo fka C-Lite, KB and others. This album is a must have for Fans of the 116 Clique and their ministry. So make sure you cop it in our hip-hop shop, iTunes, or your local stores. You will be Blessed! - Brovah Greg

Propaganda & Odd Thomas

“Art Ambidextrous” - Humble Beast www.humblebeast.com

Call it fate, call it faith, call it any way you want to - but whatever brought Humble Beast crew members Propaganda and Odd Thomas together for Art Ambidextrous, listeners have something to be grateful for. This is the kind of project that reminds hip-hop heads why we fell in love with the genre; its not following a trend, trying to be something its not or leaning on the crutch of the familiar. Propaganda’s lyrics dance deftly between the boundaries of rap and spoken word, effectively obliterating them. With meaning and metaphor, he proves why he deserves the mic on tracks like Lean, I Hate It and Beautiful Pain. Odd Thomas’ production work is tailor made for Propaganda’s lyrics, complimenting rather than competing with them. Check out Art Ambidextrous - its well worth the listen and its available free for download although I suggest feeding the Humble Beast with a donation to support its Christian mission. - Miles

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You see this AD and the guy in it... Well, we took the photo and designed his AD. Then helped design this magazine.

We also are the creative designers and consultants for these familiar brands.

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rossover has always been

the winter. Everything is free at each

very missional focused,

one of these events that are held in our

but since we’ve moved

parking lot and inside of our building.

into our new campus it

We partner with Feeding America

has given us the ability to take

to donate thousands of pounds of

outreach to a whole new level.

The

groceries at each event (we buy this

location has been incredible. Although

food for pennies on the dollar). GFS

we are located on a main commercial

donates thousands of hot dogs and

street that has close to 60,000 cars pass

bottled waters. We partner with over

each day, we are right in the middle of

a dozen different organizations that

a very needy community with the highest

have resource tables (see some of

population

Hillsborough

the sponsors below). We have a kidz

County. This community is referred to as

zone outside with bouncy houses,

“Suitcase City” due to it’s transient nature

face painting, a rock climbing wall and

with high eviction rates, homelessness

obstacle course. A sports zone is set

and poverty.

Our goal is to empower

up with basketball and football and a

people in our community and help them

live Hip-Hop Concert is rocking from a

put down roots.

stage outside the front of our building.

density

Most of our outreaches have health Meeting their spiritual needs and helping

screening (HIV, Blood Pressure, etc.)

them grow in Christ is our main objective,

and dental care in separate RV’s. In

but we also want to assist them with their

the lobby we have several of our

physical needs. As we look throughout

barbers giving free haircuts, mountains

the New Testament we see the church

of donated clothes and shoes and a

serving and assisting the needs of

prayer area with counselors. We give

people in their community. This is part

away hundreds of backpacks and

of living out the gospel. This also shows

school supplies at our Back 2 School

that we care about them and it builds

Jam and host a mini-service in our

relationships and trust. We came to this

auditorium with music and prayer.

community to build it up and give back. Through Christ we see the potential in

Hundreds of our members volunteer

our community.

thousands of hours each year to make these outreach events a huge success

Crossover holds four major outreach

as we serve over 1,000 people at each

events at our campus each year (1 per

event. If you’d like to serve at the next

quarter). In the spring we host our annual

one - sign up at a Sunday service. If

“Roots Fest”, in the summer our “Back 2

you’d like to donate or partner with us

School Jam”, in the fall our “Flavor Fest

for the next one email:

Block Party” and our “Christmas Jam” in

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lily@crossoverchurch.org

My Spiritual Ancestor There are people who pay to find out their family history. You can find dozens of websites for people who want to go way back-we’re talking generations and generations ago, to find the roots to their family tree. It can be exciting and fulfilling to uncover genealogical secrets rich with information that would have remained buried unless you had not been lured into unfolding your past. Yet, there can be a sense of disappointment since so much still remains unknown as well. Our Spiritual Guide Book (The Bible) is complete with 66 books rich with information, stories, instructions and even a family tree! And, I’m included in this family tree! While many spend time digging up their roots and ancestry, let’s not forget our Spiritual Ancestors who have gone before us and paved the way for us so that one day we can come face to face with our Spiritual Father. In reading the Bible, I have come across one of my spiritual ancestors - Deborah, a strong woman who was called to be Israel’s judge. Her story illustrates an important truth. Even in a male-oriented society (Judges 4) women with exceptional personal and spiritual qualities can rise to leadership. She instilled pride and confidence in her people, settled their disputes, and was able to rally an army of 10,000 willing to face the enemy. The respect in which Deborah was held is reflected in Barak, her General’s unwillingness to face the enemy unless she was present. For my Father to give the leadership of Israel to a woman was certainly unusual, but Deborah certainly qualified. What I uncovered is that Deborah knew God and knew God’s voice. In a time when most people had forgotten about God (much like today) and turned their backs on Him, she listened to God. This can be the unpopular thing to do because what the world says and what God says are at opposite ends of the spectrum. If we are listening to the voices of our culture through TV, movies, advertisements, or the web, then we may have lost touch with what God may be trying to say to us about

the way we dress, the way we approach relationships, the way we speak, the way we parent and discipline, and the way we try to just have it our way. Deborah didn’t just listen. She was willing. She was willing to do what God wanted, not only in her own life, but the Israelites. I know not everyone is called to be a judge or a prophet or even go to a military battle like Deborah did. But, she was willing to take the lead and doing what God wants doesn’t always bring glory to us. Doing what God wants is going against culture and dressing fashionably yet modestly. It means setting clear boundaries with men that we date or have friendships with. It means that when we speak others should hear truth and God’s love reflected in our speech. It means that we will train up our children in the ways of the Lord with no room for compromise. It means less of what I want and more of what God wants for my life. His ways and His plans are much better than my own. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Understanding our spiritual ancestors helps us to more fully comprehend the spiritual journey of how we got to where we are today. Deborah is one of many of my ancestors. There are more stories of strong independent women that were also leaders like Martha, Phoebe, Priscilla and others. But Deborah - she was hard core! She emerged in a chaotic time with spiritual gifts that enabled her to successfully lead her people. And under her leadership, “the land had peace for forty years.” A whole nation was protected because of this one woman.

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July 21st, 2010 - Crossover signs building project contract with Heaven Sent Construction and the work immediately begins on our new campus.

October 3rd, 2010 - Last service is held at Comfort Inn Conference Center where Crossover temporarily met for 9 months in 2010.

10/10/10 - Flavor Fest X - The 10 year anniversary of Crossover’s Urban Leadership Conference. Over 3,000 people attended the incredible conference and concerts in our brand new facility.

November 7th, 2010 - The official grand opening of Crossover’s new 43,000 square foot facility at 1235 East Fowler Ave.

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January 2nd, 2011 - The “Dream” series kicked off as we started the new year in our new facility.

August 20th, 2011 Our 2nd annual back to school jam had an overwhelming response. Over 1,000 people came as we quickly ran out of backpacks and groceries. There was a huge response as the gospel was presented in the main auditorium right before we gave out the backpacks.

July 31st, 2011 - Our small groups were rebranded as “Roots Groups” where our groups study and serve in the community. The groups each adopted community service projects here in the city.

July 3rd, 2011 - The IndepenDANCE day break dancing event and fireworks at the evening service was packed out as it was our largest Sunday Night Vibe attendance.

June 3rd, 2011 - Benefit Concert featuring Group 1 Crew, Rawsrvnt and several Crossover artists helped raise money for our new building.

May 1st, 2011 - Christopher “Play” Martin from Kid N’ Play shared his incredible story of redemption as we continued The Evidence series.

April 24th, 2011 - Our largest services in our church’s history as over 1,400 people gathered for Easter. Over 200 responded to build a relationship with Christ as we kicked off our series “The Evidence”.

April 9th, 2011 - Our first annual “Roots Fest” outreach that served hundreds of families with groceries, clothes, haircuts, resources and more. Helping the people of “Suitcase City” put down roots! March 4th, 2011 - PoetS.O.U.L was restarted as we had our first poetry and spoken word night at the new spot.

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We believe the urban community is in crisis due to the

The men are here... but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not enough. We want to

lack of real men. Because men are not taking their proper

build them up, equip them and send them out to be world

leadership positions, there is a lack of role models and

changers.

healthy families. In the city, many women are having to step up and try to fill the gaps as many grown men act like grown boys. Ladies are the ones that fill most of the seats in your average urban church. Crossover Church is an anomaly as it is a church full of young urban men of color.

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Warriors exists to help all men understand how important they are to God our Creator, giving themselves to something bigger than themselves. Warriors is about helping men understand what essential parts of their lives are missing. The Warriors are about growing a true love

for Christ and grasping the truth of Jesus Christ

bring them into the

through: W. Worship A. Adoration we build a R.Real

true knowledge

R.Relationship I.In O.Our R.Righteous S.Saviour!

and understanding

Warriors enables men to build a solid relationship

of what it means

with Christ that will produce change that brings out

to be a man following

effective men of God, fathers, husbands, and leaders

Christ. We are leaders,

that will make a real contribution in their families, in

ambassadors, workers

our community, and in our church.

together for God through Jesus

We promise to give men what they need in the

Christ - W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.!!!

contrast to what they want, encouraging them to engage in the many different opportunities offered here at Crossover to move them forward with Christ! Everything we do is to help men grow as real, authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. We have gatherings in which we deal with different life issues, struggles and battles that men go through. Some events we offer are breakfasts our annual

2 Samuel 22:40 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;You have subdued under me those who rose against me!

Retreat 2 Advance. Each Roots Group (Small Group) Semester we offer several groups that are specifically for men. Through regular studies of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word, we build and maintain strong relationships with other men. As we reach out to more men, we

Check us out on facebook.com/warriors813 S.O.U.L | Pg56

Who We Are C.H.O.S.E.N. Women’s Ministry is available to any and all Crossover ladies who are college age and up regardless of background, ethnicity and economic status. Our vision is to empower and embrace every woman as a Daughter of the King. Each one “chosen” and placed exactly where God wants them, to accomplish His will for such a time as this.

Our Purpose C.H.O.S.E.N. exists to provide teaching, godly counsel, accountability and fellowship, not only for the women of Crossover, but for our community and beyond. In turn, we can expect better women, wives, mothers, daughters, leaders, workers, etc. who understand their full potential and their purpose and choose to serve God and others through this ministry. Our heart is to create community and intimacy between the women. Our attempt to accomplish this is through Crossover’s small groups (Roots Groups) which are held in homes and on our church campus and run on a semester schedule. Also, we hold workshops, attend conferences, ladies night out, retreats and our most popular event, Secret Sisters.

World Vision On a global level, we sponsor a young child through World Vision, Esther Dismas. Esther is from Tanzania and lives in an AIDS/HIV infested community. C.H.O.S.E.N. ladies give only $1 a month to help support Esther and be a part of helping her receive an education, provide clean water, food & necessities.

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Getting Involved There are no fees, application or requirements to be a part of this Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry except to be at the CHOSEN age! Certain activities may require a pre-registration or RSVP. Special updates or current events are emailed, announced in our Sunday Service, published in our church program and/or posted on Facebook.

For additional information on this ministry or to keep tabs on the latest with Lucy: Email: lucy@crossoverchurch.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/lucykyllonen Twitter: www.twitter.com/lucyk813 S.O.U.L | Pg58

Neue Magazine

(Church leadership magazine published by Relevant) August/September 2011 “A look at unique types of community” “With the booming popularity of Christian Hip-Hop artists like Lecrae and Tedashii, it’s evident the urban community is thirsty for ministry. Crossover in Tampa, Fl has built a faith community around the Hip-Hop culture - but don’t call them a Hip-Hop Church. In any case, Crossover Church is doing something radical. When they opened their doors in the early 1990’s, they were a small group of burned-out Christians looking for change; this year they moved into their new 43,000 square foot facility - a former Toys “R” Us.”

Outreach magazine

September/October 2011 30 Young Influencers - new voices, new directions “With a passion and calling to reach the Hip-Hop Culture of Tampa, Fla and beyond, Tommy Kyllonen (aka Urban D.) and his wife, Lucy, founded Crossover Church’s youth ministry with just four teens and it grew it to over 200 as the first of it’s kind Hip-Hop youth ministry. Now, Kyllonen leads the church, where more than 1,000 people focused specifically on reaching those influenced by urban/hip-hop culture regularly attend.”

NEWSPAPER / INTERNET

Tampa Tribune / TBO.com Crossover Church keeps the faith, enjoys the blessing November 6th, 2010 | Michelle Bearden “Some dreams never get past the imagination stage. And then there are dreams that come true. Crossover’s story is about faith, determination and staying the course. Even when naysayers said they couldn’t pull it off in an area hit by a lingering recession and double digit unemployment numbers. People doubted that catering to the urban/ hip-hop culture could grow a church. Now Kyllonen’s vision doesn’t seem so far fetched as the congregation has grown from 40 to over 750 as they move in their new facility. Flavor Fest, Crossover’s annual urban leadership conference is in it’s 10th year. It’s first year 300 attended, this year, it drew 3,000.”

WFLA News

Sunday November 7th, 2010 Watch it at www.youtube.com/crossover813 or scan this QR code ;)

Crossover has also been featured in: USA Today, The New York Times, Newsweek and CBS News Outreach Magazine has also listed Crossover several times in their “America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches” list. S.O.U.L | Pg60

Relevantly

Encountering God in the

affecting

our communities, our

“worship

families, our churches

is one of our ultimate

and our times.

God is a god

desires

for

the

experience”

congregation.

of change and consistency, of

Worshipping God has nothing to

creativity and simplicity.

Using

do with how good we sound, but

His word as our foundation for

it has everything to do with the

all things, we can see that He

truthfulness of our hearts & spirits

rarely did anything the same way

as we worship. John 4:24 tells us,

twice when changing an entire

“God is a spirit, and His worshipers

culture.

For this reason even

must worship in spirit and truth”.

though we are orthodox in our

When we do this, we cannot help

view of scripture, our practical

but be changed into His image.

application to how we worship God is not traditional compared to most churches today. We believe in using any means necessary to reach others for Christ while staying true to God’s principles.

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Ministers… we believe that we are called to be ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We accept the bible as God’s word to us, fully inspired and authoritative.

Our

medium for spreading His word and strengthening the body of Christ is through the arts, primarily “music”. We have a strong R&B and Hip Hop influence in our music but we are not limited to that format. We use all genres of music and art forms as long as the message we are sharing points in one direction... Jesus Christ.

Incorporating as many art

Gen X, Y, Z… we

forms as possible during our

want to reach all

times of worship is part of

generations

our philosophy. We believe

Christ.

for

There was a minute when

that God is the redeemer not only

our focus was on the Gen “X”, but as

of man but of all art forms (singing,

time continues to move forward so is

dancing, rapping, DJ’ing, poetry,

our mission, ”To relevantly introduce

etc).

It’s important to realize that

the truth of Christ to those influenced

God speaks to each of us in our

by urban / hip-hop culture; as we

own unique way. Therefore, why

develop worship, purpose, unity, and

limit the method He wants to use to

leadership in their lives.” We want to

transform us, love us and make us

lead our culture in a Christ-centered,

more like Him.

biblical way.

Thus changing not

only our lives but the lives of future generations to come.

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Everyday the internet continues to expand it’s influence and reach. We know the net is a huge outreach and resource tool. Our site is updated each week with the theme of the upcoming Sunday’s message/series. New video content is regularly added on our youtube page. Our news, Crossover Kidz, upcoming artists and events are updated weekly. Practically anything you may be looking for about our church can be found in the links. Our Roots Groups (small groups) have their own link with a detailed list of groups available for the current semester. Our new video player page has become one of the most popular destinations on our site as people can watch our Sunday services at 10:00am, 11:45am, and 7:00pm. They can interact and fill out a connection card, prayer requests and give their offering all on the same page. The page also has a link to watch previous services on demand and also gives the option to download the audio from the services if they want to listen to them on their ipod or computer. Around 1,000 people watch our services live each Sunday. We live in an internet driven age. Crossover has found that nearly half of it’s first time guests are now coming as they heard about it through first checking out our website. Many people from our church now give their tithes and offering through the giving link on the website each week. We encourage you to check out crossoverchurch.org on a regular basis and look for new features to be added as we constantly keep you connected. This is also a great way to introduce your friends, family and co-workers to Crossover as they can check out the website before they come and visit... it may be the very thing that makes they feel comfortable enough to come check it out in person. Pastor Tommy also regularly sends out a weekly email to our database to update them on what’s happening and what’s coming up.

Crossover regularly updates our Facebook, Twitter and Youtube you can search for us and follow us @ crossover813. S.O.U.L | Pg64

Within the past few years we have had tremendous growth and attention in the world of social media. In the summer of 2008 we launched online streaming to the Sunday Night Vibe Service. It was an exciting jumpoff which grew in number each week. Along with live streaming also came with VOD (video on-demand) which viewers can log back in at anytime to catch the service they missed live or even catch up on archived services. We now stream all 3 of our Sunday Services. With the growing number of ‘i’ this and ‘i’ that (and by ‘i’ I mean ipods, ipads, iphones and itunes users) we have re-developed the way we present our podcast by updating every week packing our recent series all to an easy to download bundle. Find us on itunes, subscribe and download a couple for free! We recognize the growing trend of social networking... so what better way to extend our ministry! Along side of live streaming which falls under the whole social media and networking umbrella. We regularly update our official Facebook, Twitter and Youtube site. There we send out news, status updates, scripture verses, encouraging words and videos produced by the Crossover Media team. Thousands connect with us each week through the Social Network Platforms.

We are currently working on our pilot season of S.O.U.LMAG TV! This will be a 30 minute TV show focused on the Christian Hip-Hop Movement. Urban D. hosts the show as he interviews artists, shows their music videos, live performances from Flavor Fest and SNV and shares a closing devotional. With relationships with JCTV, TBN, GMC, the Inspiration Network, Steel Roots, and others... we have big dreams for the future of the media department. Our new facility has an entire wing dedicated for audio and video recording including our green studio studio that is designated for filming and producing future TV Shows. Stay tuned to see what God produces from this team of creatives. Dedicated volunteers and new faces to the team is was keeps the ministry running strong! The team growth has been tremendous... through monthly meetings, emails, text, media team outings, the group has really gelled together as a team. Our team consists of designers, photographers, videographers, camera operators, video editors, creative planning teams, set/breakdown teams and more. With the amount of online viewers, and the crowd the comes every week, the media team continues to be a blessing to all. Now with our newly decked out booth in the main auditorium... you know The Boys in Da’ Booth don’t sleep!

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By: Charlynn Ramirez

tudent loans…life insurance… car payments…mortgages…investments… budgets….baby steps…financial peace is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking upon these things. Thankfully, Dave Ramsey has devised a program that anyone can implement regardless of his or her financial status; this program is best known as Financial Peace University. Financial Peace University (FPU) is a thirteen week program that helps people dump their debt, get control of their money and learn new behaviors around money that are founded on commitment and accountability (two concepts that cause the average person to run away screaming regardless as to how they are applied). Studies have shown that the average family that completes the course and applies the concepts as described by Ramsey pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in the first ninety-one days after beginning FPU and is completely out of debt, except for their mortgage, in eighteen to twenty-four months. It is results such as these that peaked my interest and gave me the needed push to sign up for the program. As the FPU commercials were played week after week in service, my excitement level steadily increased. I began to try to figure out what crazy things we were going to be asked to do during the course…. Having John Harris as my instructor simply added another layer of anxiety (you just never know what he’s going to throw at you). Either way, I was gearing up for victory…victory over my finances! I knew that FPU was going to help me get there. It was within the last three weeks of FPU previews/advertisements that it dawned on me…..I could see myself teaching this course one day in the future. I shared this with a close friend during a casual conversation, and she looked at me like I was crazy. Roughly one week later, with no mention of what she and I had discussed, I was approached by John Harris. The FPU sign-up had gone so well, that he now needed assistant coordinators to help him lead the course. After much thought and prayer, John asked me to be one of his FPU leaders! What an honor, and nothing short of an answered prayer (God really does know the desires of your heart ). A little while after I accepted the challenge, I told John about the strange way everything had simply “fallen into place”….of course I got nothing but a smirk from him.

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Financial Peace University was created to empower and give hope to everyone from the financially secure to the financially distressed. Once you’ve worked through the steps of the program, you realize how much more you could do to touch the lives of others when your finances are in order and your debt is eliminated. No, you do not have to be an FPU coordinator to make an impact in the lives of others… it was just another way that God chose to challenge me and my talents. FPU has opened my eyes to how much of an impact I can be when my time and money are allocated properly. Working through the FPU baby steps has served as a constant reminder of how critical it is to keep God first and foremost in all areas of my life [especially in time and money management]. Financial Peace University is truly one of the best investments I have ever made with my time, my money, and my leadership skills. I am on my way to obtaining Financial Peace… why can’t you? FPU is now regularly offered at Crossover. The next semester will be promoted at church services on Sunday and through the church website. As I went through the program I was in awe at the level of responsibility that God and the Crossover staff has entrusted to me. Families have poured out their hearts and shared life changing experiences. I have learned a lot from each individual in my class, both married and single. I have had the honor to work through this uphill financial battle with several of them through prayer, encouragement and most of all a kind ear. Many simply want to be heard and reassured that they are not alone while facing the challenges of life… The challenges of personal finances are no exception.

We love our volunteers at Crossover! There are over

from outside of Crossover that shares about leadership

200 people that regularly serve at our ministry. We

and serving. They affirm them and remind them what

couldn’t do church without them. We couldn’t serve

a huge impact they’re having even beyond the people

our community in so many ways without them. Being

they directly serve as there are many people from

an urban ministry that has a limited budget, we heavily

around the world that look to Crossover as a model.

rely on volunteers to serve and lead in several areas.

Pastor Tommy then shares some leadership principles

Doing ministry at a fast pace in a

and shares some details of

growing church can be draining

where Crossover is heading

at times. In 2011 we started a

in the next few months. The

quarterly event called “Activate”!

evening usually closes in a

This is a special evening for our

prayer time where the staff

volunteers where we empower

pray over our volunteers.

them and they get activated. Activate is an awesome shot The evening starts out in the

of empowerment for each of

gym with our staff serving all the

our volunteers as they are

volunteers a free dinner. We eat together and then we

feed, loved on, appreciated, poured into and reminded

have some fun as we play a few team building games.

“why” we do what we do. It’s become a highlight for our

The event then moves over to the main auditorium

volunteers and our staff!

where we give out some awards to volunteers who have really stood out during that quarter. We may have a special video and then we have a guest speaker

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Poet S.O.U.L. is a quarterly spoken word and poetry night @ Crossover. The evening also features some R&B, a live DJ, some poetry performances via video on the big screens and live musicians. This event gives a platform for local Christian poets to have a place to share their art and their stories with the community. There is some amazing talent and up and coming talent at each event.

+ I DECLARE It doesn’t matter if society rejects me, God accepts me, and has chosen me eternally and birth me into an earthly realm for I am in this world, but not of this world. It doesn’t matter if I am different, because I am a chosen generation, a peculiar people, set aside for a purpose set aside to stand out from all the rest, to make a difference. - Angela “Mysteryous” Euseary

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Every week the Juvenile Corrections Ministry (JCM) touches teenage male and female residents in various juvenile correctional facilities in the Tampa Bay area with the Love of Christ. This ministry existed for many years here at Crossover, but relaunched in April of 2008 with the performance of a play, “Heaven’s Court of Last Appeal”. The way the residents responded to the drama made it clear something special had been set in motion. Three years later and with scores of young men and women now in a relationship with the Savior, God’s call to reach the incarcerated is still being obeyed . “I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matt. 25:36 The JCM has effectively used teaching, preaching, singing, dancing, rapping, drama and praying to usher troubled young people into God’s family. Boxes and boxes of S.O.U.LMAG Magazines (like the one your are reading) have been given away in many of these facilities. Most recently, mentoring has been added as one of the major tools used to impact these teenagers. This is done with a team of people going into a facility and having each team member meet individually with a few of the residents. In addition to building solid relationships, this provides role models and accountability. Several of these teens and their families have been transformed by Christ and some of them now attend Crossover Church. Words fail to describe the motivation we experience when we see the enthusiasm of our audience. And we still never cease to be amazed how we are able to make a difference in a life with a prayer, a smile and a hug.

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By Sketch the Journalist

The first time I stepped through Crossover’s doors was in 1999. I had traveled to Orlando, Florida for a hip hop convention and heard about a little church in Tampa that catered their services to the vibrant urban culture of their surrounding neighborhoods. Their pastor, Tommy Kyllonen, was a rapper/guest lecturer at my event and offered to let myself and a media colleague swing by to witness one of their Thursday night youth services. When we arrived the place was packed. Like many a hip-hop venue I’d visited before, it felt warm, cramped, and a little bit sweaty, but with good reason. We were greeted with smiles and allowed to slip up close to a slightly-elevated stage where a certified turntablist (not a “DJ Press Play”-type figure with an iPod and a mixer) stood tall behind a group of young people singing hymns and worship choruses over scratching and break beats. Later a 10’ x 10’ square of old linoleum tile was rolled out for a group of b-boys to show off their dance skills. After a short message from Pastor Tommy (or “Urban D” as I knew him) a freestyle rap session emerged between church members and newcomers. As a Christian, how could you NOT love this house of worship and expression of faith? Shoot, as a pure hip hop head, how could you turn away? When the night ended, my buddy and I were invited to take a ride with Tommy in a purposefully graffiti-decorated passenger van as he dropped off neighborhood kids who didn’t otherwise have transportation back home. I listened in as Urban D talked to each young person as they entered, rode, and exited his vehicle. The conversations were filled with jokes, loving admonishments, laughter, and gentle reminders to not let this be their last visit to Crossover. I prayed it wouldn’t be mine either. +++++++++++ S.O.U.L | Pg70

Thankfully it wasn’t. In October of 2010, my wife and I were to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of our wedding. We planned to revisit one of the Florida theme parks where we spent our original honeymoon and after some sweet talk, I was able to convince her to also work a few days in Tampa into our vacation so we could attend Crossover’s Flavor Fest urban ministry training event (that coincidentally would also be commemorating its decadelong run.) But this time, we wouldn’t be visiting a tightly-packed, overused sweatbox. Nope, by God’s providence, this community of believers was about to renovate and move in to a former Toys “R” Us store and turn it into an innovative house of worship. Now, instead of having to run three services on Sundays in order to meet the needs of a congregation that had grown from 40 regulars to over 500, they would be able to more efficiently use their time and energy in a 43,000 square foot facility. +++++++++++ How they got to that point is a story worthy of a second book of Acts. The short version goes something like this. The building’s general contractor was a young man named Francisco Diaz. Crossover members Spec and Los 1 met him in a Juvenile Detention Center when he was 17 when they visited to rap and share their testimonies. It rocked him. When Diaz was released he started attending at the church. A year later he pursued and secured his general contractor’s license. After that, he formed a company called Heaven Sent Construction that grew to over 16 full time employees. In the middle of the building process, Crossover discovered their original contractor wasn’t fully holding up his end of their agreement and Diaz stepped in to oversee the job. At just 23 years old, he ran a $1.3 million dollar project, had crews running 24 hours a day, and even occasionally slept in his truck’s tool trailer in order to meet their Flavor Fest deadline.

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“At the end of the day, I just knew I couldn’t let my church go down like that,” Diaz told me. “God showed his faith through every last moment and trial.” Some of those trials included loaning the church his own money to get supplies and pay construction employees as well as getting critical, last-minute electrical and fire marshal inspections. “I can tell you I’ve never seen the hand of God like I have here,” Diaz said when recalling the adventure. +++++++++++ But if Crossover Church was nothing more than a nice building with cool interior design and flat screen TVs it would be a “FAIL” in God’s eyes. A true New Testament church is more about people than pews and more about community, brokenness, and love than carpet, banisters, and light kits. Even the rappers who occasionally perform there know it’s about more than the music...

“Crossover is one of the most upgraded churches I’ve ever seen in terms of their cultural diversity, cutting edge technology, and spirit of their staff,”

...GodChaserz Entertainment’s CEO/artist Brinson said.

“It’s really an incubator of precious people who serve God and serve others.” Crossover’s Sorida Lorenzo agrees that it wasn’t music that initially attracted her to the faith community. “I went because sister went. I was more into rock music than rap and would come wearing my Godsmack or some other metal band’s t-shirt,” Lorenzo said. “But eventually I stayed and got saved there because of the people and the love I felt.” “Honestly, there’s no limit to how much they’re willing to pour into you.”

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Today, she’s a stay-at-home mom who coordinates Crossover volunteers for outreach events like clothing and school supply drives and through homeless and hungry ministries with partners like Feeding America. She said she appreciates how Crossover’s people are willing to go “outside of the church’s four walls” to meet the needs and share love with their neighbors. Lorenzo believes the new building has helped them reach new people and new zip codes with some of the lowest household incomes in all of Tampa. “It’s letting us get to and attract those who would never come into a traditional church,” she said. “I know we’re already making an impact. We have new people every week and are seeing lives changed.” +++++++++++ Sounds like they’re well on their way to fulfilling Jesus’ “Great Commission” if you ask me.

Local Barber and servant - Lon Schultz, one of many who serve the community with Crossover Church...

more than just music!

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These are a series of classes that help people grow in their personal spiritual commitments. Our goal at Crossover is to always help people take their next step of growth in their relationship with their creator. This series of classes is designed for adults and teens.

101 Membership Connection Class

In this workshop you’ll learn more about Crossover’s unique vision, strategy, structure, and goals. This class is all about connecting with Crossover (your family) as you are connected with Christ (your leader). We’ll be sharing the story of our church’s beginning, our journey of growth and our incredible vision for the future. If you feel comfortable at Crossover we encourage you not to date our church... put a ring on her finger and officially become part of the family.

201 Maturity Connection Class

In this workshop you’ll learn more about maturing in your relationship with Christ. You’ll learn several practical and important ways that your connection with your Creator can be strengthened.

301 S.H.A.P.E. Connection Class

In this workshop you’ll discover and reaffirm what you were shaped for. Each of us was made with passions for certain things. In this class you’ll get connected to a ministry where you can grow and fulfill your purpose as you serve others.

401 Mission Connection Class

As Christians it’s our mission to share our faith with others around us. This workshop will better equip you to engage others in your community and around the world. Crossover has several local opportunities for you to fulfill you mission and several upcoming opportunities around the country and beyond.

*Connection Classes are offered monthly on Sundays during the services @ both 10am and 7pm in our classrooms in the back part of the building. Children can attend their regular classes in the kidz wing. At a Sunday service you can look for dates and details for upcoming classes inside of your program and you can sign up on the back of your connection card or visit our website @ www. crossoverchurch.org to register for our next class.

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THE

CLASS When Christ enters the life of a new believer, real change occurs. But for most of us, we have no idea what that truly means; we are unsure of what we should do next? The NEXT class is designed to provide basic foundational truths and understanding on our new found Christian faith. It encourages us to grasp onto the assurance of our salvation and grow in our relationship with the Lord through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The topics covered in the four week classes are: - Assurance of our Salvation - Forgiveness of the Believer - Filling of the Spirit - Walking in the Spirit towards Maturity

Crossover Church has been experiencing an explosion of new growth and most of our new people are coming from a background where they weren’t consistently raised around church, biblical teaching or Christian principles being lived out. This class provides a great NEXT step for them to learn about their new relationship with God. But, this class is geared not only towards people that are totally new in the faith, but also for those that want a refresher course to help strengthen their walk with Christ.

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The NEXT Class is ran by a team of teachers from Crossover. It is a four week class that takes place on Sundays during our services at 11:45am and 7:00pm. We hold the classes in the back classroom wing behind the main auditorium. Since we started the classes in 2010 we’ve had over 150 people go through the class. The NEXT Class always starts at the beginning of each month, so you can sign up for one of the upcoming ones on the back of your connection card at the next service you attend. Are ready for what God has NEXT? If you recently started a relationship with Christ you can pick up Pastor Tommy’s new book “Next” in the center of the lobby for Free! This book gives you some great next steps to take in your new faith journey and it also includes the Gospel of John. S.O.U.L | Pg75

“Hip-Hop speaks with lyrics and hot beats / While teens act out what Hip-Hop speaks / The Movement is the place where teens get reached / With a message that is truly life changing / Amazing / We are not talking about change on the outside, but change within / This change is influence that teens can use to change a friend / The Movement gives teens a reason to live again.”

What goes down on Thursday nights? Every Thursday night, Crossover holds its Hip-Hop teen service. At 7:30pm, the doors open and hundreds of teens rush into the main auditorium. The ushers are welcoming them at the doors, giving the teens high fives and saying their what’s ups. At 7:20pm, the 10-minute count down begins, while music is playing in the background setting the mood for the night. You can feel and see the excitement on all the teens’ faces as they come through the doors. If their faces could speak, they would say that this is a place where they feel loved and are free to be themselves.

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The clock gets down to the final 10 seconds and as

are able to go home with a sense of purpose. They

soon as it finishes the teens go wild! Teen Remix hits the

are empowered to go out into their homes, schools

stage to kickoff the service with worship. A live DJ on the

and the streets making noise for CHRIST.

one’s and two’s, teens singing, emcees and a human beat boxer all come together to lead us into worship with the Creator. They sing soulful songs, as the words are displayed on the big screens in the auditorium. The most beautiful part of this worship experience is seeing teenagers building an authentic connection with God.

Most Thursdays feature a guest Hip-Hop Artist to perform a mini-concert before the message is presented. This is something that definitely gets the crowed hyped! Many weeks also feature a Hip-Hop music video from a Christian artist.

After worship, the teens hear a relevant message using dramas, hip-hop, video clips, and real life testimonies to help illustrate the truth of Christ. Some weeks we have an interactive S.O.U.L.Session (Speaking on urban life) with a talk show format. Quartly we have a STORYTELLERS where teens share their testimonies. Eyes are glued to the stage as hearts pound as the message dives deep into their souls. Teens then are given a chance to build a relationship with Christ or take

Why the name The Movement? In our culture, teens are being affected by the wrong kind of movements. Drugs, Violence, Gangs, etc. We know there is a need for a real movement, one that points

the next step in their walk with God.

the to a relationship with Christ. No, It doesn’t

The service ends before 9pm, teens have the opportunity

they stay on their grind living unashamed and

to hang out on campus until 9:30pm. The lobby becomes the center of action as you will find the breakers on the floor showing off their latest moves, teens building with each other while emcees circle up to spit their rhymes for Christ. The Crossover Gym is full of teens playing dodge

Stop there! Once they Got it, they move it as boldly proclaiming Christ. It’s contagious... our teens are pushing others around them to get with the movement! It’s growing like wildfire! We have to multiply.

ball. Many teens request prayer after services and have a time to talk with leaders. At the end of the night, teens

movement813

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Crossover Church came to this neighborhood nicknamed Suitcase City to help people put down roots: spiritual roots, family roots, educational roots, economic roots and geographical roots. We do huge quarterly outreaches on our property and every time we open the doors for services we have new people coming in. We’re growing... and that’s great, but even if we grew another 1,000 people in the next year we’d still just be touching the tip of the iceberg here in our city. But what if we sent 1,000 people out into our community? Imagine the impact it could have in our neighborhoods. There are so many needs just outside our doors. We have hundreds of people regularly serving at our church and that’s incredible, but we also want to empower them to serve out in the community. In 3-5 years we want our community to look different because we are here. It’s not about “us” being here, but it’s about who is “in us” that’s here. There has never been a church of our size and influence in this community and with God’s help we have the ability to make a huge impact. We don’t just want people to sit and learn about the gospel, we want them to get hands on and put the gospel into action. We believe our new way of doing small groups is going to be part of helping people put down roots. Roots Groups run in semesters at Crossover Church. The groups meet for 12 weeks and are offered all throughout our community: different times, different places, different days of the week, and each group having a different focus. Several groups are held on our church campus as well. we will strive to meet the needs of this community whether it’s feeding the homeless, helping single moms, painting a house, cleaning a yard, ministering to pregnant teens, or handing out bottles of water. We will connect and show love to those that

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need to hear the truth of Christ. Groups meet one night a week and you will have the opportunity to study together for 8 weeks and serve together for 4 weeks. Your only requirement is that you come with an open heart, ready and willing to learn and serve. Each group will get an assessment list of projects here in our community. They will be able to adopt a project or projects that include feeding the homeless, helping single moms, painting a house, cleaning a yard, ministering to pregnant teens, handing out bottles of water and many others. We will connect and show love to those that need to hear the truth of Christ. Get involved in the next Roots Group Semester. Stay tuned for when the next one is starting and you can sign up after service in the lobby and let us know what type of group you may be interested in, when you are available, and how we can contact you to get you plugged in. We are looking forward to seeing you and growing deeper with you. Let’s start a Servolution in this community and be the example to let others know that God is ready to use believers to reclaim His people in Suitcase City! •••

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Welcome to the Crossover Kidz Church! We are a high impact in your face ministry that is created to appeal to the children of today. The ministry includes several classrooms designed for specific age groups. Each class is staffed with trained and skilled teachers that desire to be involved in ministering to these young lives. Each member of our Children’s Ministry team has one thing in common: a passion for children and a heart for God. The purpose of the Kidz Ministry is to make sure our children are taught the word of God in a way they can understand and let them have fun while doing it! Children will be taught valuable biblical lessons that will help them in their home, school and everyday life. Our goal is to make sure God is made real to them and give them tools on how to begin and maintain a true relationship with Christ at a young age. Our Vision: To win children to Christ and raise up a spiritual army of young people not only for future purposes but for the present ones as well.

Nursery aka “Da Crib” - Newborn to 2 ½ years old

Your precious little ones will enjoy sing-alongs, play time and interaction from their teachers right at their level. Our teachers aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty while they play and introduce God’s love to the littlest one. The team members have a special way of connecting and comforting each child in their care. Parents can relax and enjoy the service while their child(ren) is well taken care of.

“Nursing Mom’s Room”

We have a room set aside for nursing mothers only. This room provides a quiet, comfortable place where you can meet the needs of your infant while enjoying the service on a large flat screen.

“Tiny Tots” – Ages 2 ½ & 3

Toddlers are taught using age appropriate curriculum that includes videos, bible stories, art & crafts and songs. They also have a space where they can let loose and work off some of the energy they are so famous for. Our team members are great at being hands-on while helping your toddler learn about God’s love.

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“Little Believers” – Ages 4 & 5

The preschoolers in this age group experience a unique learning time. Live music is just the start of their time with us. We include a video based curriculum that is designed to teach your child the bible at their level. Object lessons, crafts and games are all part of the fun they will have while learning that God loves them.

“Kidz Vibe” – Ages 6 – 11

Your child(ren) will experience church like never before in our Kidz Vibe. Our team members keep your kids going from the moment they enter our classroom. We have live worship, skits, games, videos and object lessons that help deliver the message that God is real and He wants to be a part of their life. We have fun but keep it real so your child can be a leader at home, in school and among their friends. Up and coming in this classroom is the small group approach to learning and a Blow-Out service where parents can attend and be a part of the fun!

Kidz Church Ministry

The takes place in our new Crossover Kidz Church Wing and is offered during all three Sunday Services. Service times are 10:00am, 11:45am and 7:00pm. Parents can bring their kids to our Check-In area in the main lobby. Check in time starts 15 minutes before service and ends 20 minutes after service has started. Security of your children is vitally important to us. We will Lock Down the Kidz Church Wing once Check-In time has ended as an added protection for the children in our care. Parents are encouraged to pick up their child(ren) at our Check-out area once service has ended. We encourage parents not to bring children into the main auditorium as the content is geared only towards teenagers and adults. Crossover is not afraid to address real issues in our adult services. Some of the content discussed is not appropriate for children. We do have a family room that is available where you can sit with your children if you choose not to check them into the kids ministry. Our staff and team members go through extensive training and background checks before they are approved to work with your children. Every Sunday, hundreds of children are cared for in our Crossover Kidz Church Ministry.

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Our Sunday services give off a refreshing vibe as they reach a multi-ethnic, multigenerational urban crowd with people from many different backgrounds. Crossover has experienced incredible growth over the past several years. Although the church is much larger and has multiple services, it has even more of a friendly family atmosphere now than ever before. It has become an exciting place where everyone is accepted in Love no matter how they look. Our church services are geared to be different and cutting edge because the crowd we reach is not into “tradition.” Although we attract people of all ages, the majority of our crowd is younger than your average congregation, suits and ties are not required :) …most people come dressed casually, and come to worship God in a comfortable atmosphere. Our First Impressions Team welcomes you with smiling faces. Each person also receives a program, which contains all of our up coming events, ministry opportunities, and additional information. Our praise and worship is done with an R&B/Hip-Hop/Gospel style with a live DJ, worship team, and a mix of artists, poets, rappers, and live musicians. We sometimes even mix in some Spanish, Salsa and Reggae flavor. God’s presence is always evident as people genuinely seek Him. The message is always brought in a creative, practical way where everyone can learn something from the scripture that is applicable to their everyday lives. Pastor Tommy and the speaking team use message series that include various visual elements like original short films, drama, testimonies, object lessons and music to help illustrate the scripture and the topic. Printed handouts are often times distributed and the audience is encouraged to follow along and take notes with the teaching and “fill-in the blanks”. Many services end with a great prayer time or a strong challenge to make life changes, start a relationship with Christ, or to make a stronger commitment to Him. Our staff and leaders make themselves available after each service to talk and pray with people. After the service the lobby turns into a great place of community where people hangout, build relationships, and eat together.

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Our Sunday night vibe service is the same worship and message as the morning with some added extra flavor for those that can’t make it out to the earlier services. We realize many people in our culture now have to work Sundays during the day, and we want to provide a time they can come out to a worship service. Crossover also desires to reach that crowd that just can’t roll out of bed Sunday mornings, and this service creates that time slot that attracts a lot of college students. USF is just up the street and this is the service many students are now attending. This also gives people options if they want to do something during the day with their family and then catch the night service instead. Sunday Night Vibe regularly offers Open Mic for MC’s to come up and rap/freestyle with the live DJ. The freestyle session changes each month from topics on the screens, to objects picked out of box, even to reverse battles. We always have some creative MC’s wow the crowd with a fun time of rhyming that represents Christ. Each of the other weeks always features a set by a guest artist after the message. This varies from local acts to nationally known groups. Every few months instead of an artist we have a large Break Dancing Event at the end of the service that we host in the lobby. This is always an exciting night where dozens of incredible dancers show off their moves in a friendly competition. You can check the website each week to see the upcoming artists for that SNV. The urban crowd especially likes to hang out at night so after service the large lobby becomes the place to be as break dancers hit the floor and people talk, eat and pray together.

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1. We’re A Bunch Of Cross-overs!

We practice whole hearted devotion to Jesus! We’ve crossed over from death to life. We don’t compromise. We go HARD! - Matthew 22:37-38

2. Download The Apps!

We value biblical teaching and the application of scripture. We believe when God’s word is applied and downloaded it will radically transform lives. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. We Are Multi-ethnic, Multi-Generational And Economically Diverse.

We value everyone! No matter what their skin-color, age or financial status. Christ is our unity factor. This is what heaven will look like and it’s what the New Testament Church looked like. - Acts 13:1

4. Healthy Things Grow!

We value growth. Healthy Christians grow and healthy churches grow. Roots Groups, classes, mentorship and serving help people grow deeper. Our church continues to grow as our influence grows deeper in our city. - Ephesians 4:15-16

5. You Don’t Need A Title To Be A Leader.

We value leadership. We believe in transformational leaders who demonstrate holiness, integrity and a positive influence on the lives of others. - 1 Timothy 4:12

6. To Change The Game, Change The Frame. We embrace Innovation and Creativity. We love change. We are learners. We think big, take risks and hold a healthy disregard for the impossible. - Isaiah 43:19

7. Good Is Not Good Enough. We strive for excellence. We know there is no reward for the squandered potential, half-hearted effort or lukewarm faith. - Colossians 3:17

8. Not Everyone Raps! We value everyone playing his or her part. It’s not all about what happens on the stage or

on the mic. We want every individual to use his or her unique gifts, talents and abilities to connect others to God. We create multiple platforms for different gifts to be used. - Romans 12:6-8

9. Real Recognizes Real. We are culturally relevant. We are real. We don’t put on masks. We don’t use spiritual

jargon or Christianese. Our music is loud, we love God and we communicate like it’s 2012 (not 1912). - 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

10. We Are A Movement. We have become a model. There are dozens of other churches like ours popping up

around the country and the world. We’re here to provide training,(Flavor Fest), resources and coaching. We will unite, show love and help expand God’s kingdom. - John 13:35

11. We Celebrate!

We will not take this move of God for granted. We will regularly celebrate people coming to Christ, getting baptized, becoming members, serving and growing deeper in Christ. Ministry is the highest calling and we will remain grateful for God’s hand of favor on our church. - 1 Chronicles 16:8

12. We’re Here To Rock The City! We engage in community transformation. We will meet tangible needs and

bring empowerment as we share and live out the gospel. We’re here to make a lasting difference in our community. Where it is dark, we bring the light of Christ! - Isaiah 32:18

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* This is the listing of our staff as of October 2011.

Check out our staff page on our website as our team is continuing to grow & read the their full bio’s.

www.crossoverchurch.org/staff

Tommy Kyllonen aka Urban D. | Lead Pastor

Tommy founded the youth ministry at Crossover in 1996 after graduating from Southeastern University with a BA in pastoral studies and a concentration in youth ministry. In 2006 he went back to Southeastern University and completed a master’s level Church Leadership Cohort. Starting in 1996, with just four teens, he and his wife developed a first-of-its-kind Hip-Hop Youth Ministry that over the span of six years grew to hundreds, far outpacing attendance in the main Sunday worship. In January 2002, Tommy became the lead pastor at Crossover and a new vision was birthed to specifically reach those influenced by Urban/Hip-Hop Culture. Pastor Tommy Urban D. has recorded seven Hip-Hop albums since 1996 and has traveled across the U.S., Africa, Germany, Japan and the UK performing and speaking at conferences. He has ministered at close to 1,000 venues with his music. His project “Un.orthdox – church.hip-hop.culture” spans three spectrums of media; music, film, and print. The CD/DVD received major distribution through EMI, and Zondervan published his book with the same title. His latest album “Un.heard” is now available on itunes. // twitter: @urband813

Ken Godbolt aka Broken | Youth Pastor

Kenneth was born and raised in Orange Park, Florida. He grew up in an urban community, which was heavily influenced by the culture of drugs and crime. Both of his parents were not involved in his life. His mother was addicted to drugs and his father was addicted to alcohol. Most of his childhood was spent in and out of the homes of relatives and friends. This left him confused and hurt. He turned to what seemed to work: drugs, drinking, and violence.In 2000, his uncle saw Kenneth’s incredible basketball talent and helped pay for him to go to Private Christian school. This led to him building a relationship with Christ and continuing his education at Southeastern University where he helped lead the team to their team to a national championship in 2005. After his mother passed away in 2005, Kenneth took some time off from school to heal and re-group. In 2006, God burdened his heart for the inner-city culture through hip-hop music. He partnered with others and ministered to the culture through local concerts. Kenneth first came to Crossover as an intern. While interning he served in Kidz Church, worship team, youth ministry and partnered with Pastor Tommy for Sunday services. // twitter: @brokenmuzic813

Lucy Kyllonen | Administration & Women’s Ministry

Lucy came to Florida by way of Queens, NY where she was raised. She attended Southeastern University and graduated with a BA in Psychology and went on to complete her Master’s in Mental Health counseling at USF. Before joining the church staff in 2003, she worked with teens in various professional settings since 1994. Not only is Lucy the Lead Pastor’s wife, but also currently she works in the Administrative Department assisting with the day to day operations of managing a church. She is also involved in the planning of church events and activities. Her life has become the church, but more importantly the people in it- in specific, the women of the church. Lucy leads C.H.O.S.E.N. Women’s Ministry and is dedicated to equipping women in leadership roles and reminding all women of their worth and identity in Christ. Lucy is actively involved in teaching membership classes, small groups and mentoring women. She has also served in ministry as a speaker, alongside her husband and contributes articles to the S.O.U.Lmag you are holding.. // twitter: @lucyk813

Gordon Meetze | Head Elder / Crossover O.G.

Gordon has been in Tampa since 1957, and started his relationship with Christ on July 3rd, 1960 at Crossover’s former North Orleans campus. Gordon and his wife Carolyn have been a vital part of the several different congregations that have met here throughout the years. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this past year! In the late 1980’s Gordon and his family were one of the last few people left at the church. Many people told him to let the church go as he was actually filling in as the pastor. But, Gordon followed God and held on. Although Gordon is one of our older members he is excited to see what God is doing as the church is now fulfilling a prophecy that was given many years ago. Gordon has always been willing to change and support the vision of the church as he provides priceless wisdom for the team. We always say he’s the coolest old guy we know!

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Lily Perlaza | Finance Director / Flavor Fest Director

Lily was born in Brooklyn New York and moved to Orlando when she was 8 years old. Lily has been attending Crossover since she moved to Tampa in 2000, after graduating high school. Lily has worked in business settings and sales in Tampa. Prior to being on staff Lily worked for an international mortgage company and had a specialty of working with clients in their finances, home loan needs and foreclosure proceedings. After attending Southeastern University, Lily finished up her BA In Business Management at the University Of Phoenix. Lily has been a part of the Flavor Fest planning team since 2000 and is now leading the Flavor Fest team through administration, grant writing and conference planning in order to further fulfill the mission. Several years ago Lily hosted her first small group by the pool of her apartment complex with some friends. Her love for seeing people grow in the word and get connected in relationships led her to become Crossover’s small group director where she was overseeing groups for several years. // twitter: @lilygodzchild

Edward Bayonet aka Spec | Creative Director

Spec is no stranger to the hip-hop culture. His influences are close to home; uncle’s that were b-boys and cousins that were graffiti artists around NYC. Growing up in a single parent household, Spec was pushed to fend for himself on many occasions through out his life as he always looked out for himself instead of the well being of others.Now, SPE© spends his days giving of his time, talent, and more. After obtaining an AA degree in Graphic Design & Advertising in 2000; he has been the Director of Media here @ Crossover since. His graphic skills range from flyers, videos, DVD’s, CD’s, music, MAGAZINES, etc.; Spec has a hand in much of what you see produced out of Crossover.He has stood behind the vision/mission of Crossover since 1998 when he first accepted Christ here at a concert. Spec also works as a teacher in graphic design at Tampa Bay Tech High School where he trains the next generation and lets his light shine. Spec occasionally travels along side with Pastor Tommy around the country and overseas, speaking, teaching and performing at several venues and conferences. // twitter: @iamspec

Delia Harris | Worship & Arts Director

Delia was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area (California). She grew up in a home that loved God and had a long history of serving the local church. At a very young age she was on the road every weekend, in her family group called “The Born Again Singers”. They ministered to churches and major prisons in the U.S. such as San Quentin, Chino, and Carson City Nevada and at state wide correctional institutions. She attended Patten University in Oakland, CA, were she obtained most of her musical training in Voice and Symphonic percussion. In 1988 she graduated from the Universidad Cristiana Latino Americana in Cali, Colombia South America with a B.M. in Sacred Music and a minor in Theology. While in Cali, Colombia as a missionary (1996) with the Julio C. Ruibal Ministries, she became a licensed minister. She has worked with several churches nationally in the U.S. and internationally (Cuba, throughout South America and Canada) Some of her experiences include: speaking in conferences, directing mass choirs, leading in worship, touring with Hosanna Integrity Music leader Bob Fitts and leading worship with YMAM at the Atlanta Olympics. She has played for several symphonic orchestras and sung with many choral groups. For the last 20 years she has played Latin percussion music. . // twitter: @Remixworshipper

Paul Ferrara aka Paully P | Kidz Director

Paul aka Paully P comes to Crossover with his wife Brandy and family from Boston, Massachusetts. Together, they have over 20 years combined ministry experience with a major focus on Children’s Ministry. Paul grew up in a Christian home, the youngest of 8 children and spent most of his childhood in the Boston area. He has attended Zion Bible College, Beacon University and Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He has served as a Children’s Minister/Director with 5 different churches in several states. He also was the Campus Pastor for two years at Foxboro Christian School in Foxboro Massachusetts. Paul met his wife while he was attending Zion Bible College and they were married in 2003. They have added 4 children to their family: Ethan, Isabella, Madison and Paige. Paul and Brandy’s heart to teach children about the love of God ultimately lead them to Crossover! // twitter: @paulpdog

David Wylie aka DJ iNCHANT | Missions Impact Intern

David loves God’s mission. This Midwest Hoosier boy has been around the world for Jesus. Hip-Hop is his culture. He came to Tampa as an urban missionary. He believes we should plant roots and bloom wherever God plants us. His passion for God’s mission in the world and God’s call on his life for full time ministry pushed David to pursue an education in missiology. David received his B.A. in Intercultural studies and went on to become a seminarian at Fuller Theological Seminary for his M.A. He has plans to plant roots both literally and figuratively through his continued involvement with what God is doing in Crossover’s hood and around the world. His internship includes tasks like DJing, urban church gardening to grow fresh, healthy food for those in need, teaching a class to international students at USF called Accent Clarification and American Slang, leading a Roots Group called Deep Roots: Biblical Foundations of God’s Mission, networking with local missions ministries, collecting cultural autobiographies and testimonies for research, finding other ways to connect with God’s mission locally and globally. // twitter: @INCHANT S.O.U.L | Pg91

Some people describe us as a “Hip-Hop Church”.

box. However, everything we believe and practice in

model ourselves after the New Testament Church.

“church” [as a whole] has gotten the two a little mixed

We are not a Hip-Hop Church - We are a Church. We

We have church in the urban context in 2011/2012 so we will communicate in today’s language. We use Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae, Salsa, Art, Film, Dance,

Poetry and Drama to communicate the gospel... but

music and style does not define us, our passion and commitment to Christ does. We have created

a relevant, comfortable atmosphere but we take our

faith serious. We ask hard questions and talk about things many churches don’t usually address. We’ll go there. Jesus was real and raw... in a loving way.

If you are reading this magazine, many of you have

probably attended a service here where you saw that church could be relevant, engaging, and real. At the

same time, you may still have some questions about

the details of what we believe. Not much at Crossover is typical or traditional. We’re intentionally out of the

Our Affiliations

our services is Biblical. There is a big difference. The

up. Jesus was not a traditional guy! As a matter of fact, he was constantly in conflict with the religious leaders of His day because He kept challenging them.

They tried to look “all good” on the outside, but on the inside they were “rotten”(Matthew 23). Jesus is

not so concerned with how we look on the outside, or how we dress when we come to His house, (they didn’t have suits and ties in His day), as long as it’s

modest. He’s not concerned about the music we play, or the style we choose to worship Him with, as

long as the lyrics are clean and glorify Him. Jesus wants our hearts to be pure! At Crossover, we use our freedom to be creative, so we will consistently change our presentation as we engage our culture, but our message and what we believe will never

change.

Crossover Community Church is a non-denominational church.

We have people from all different

backgrounds, ethnic groups, and races. You can see from our statements of faith on this page that we are

a Christian Church that fully believes the Bible and teaches it in context. Our Pastors have degrees from

Universities where they spent many years carefully studying the Scriptures. The Pastors are ordained Ministers under the laws of the State of Florida. Crossover is affiliated with the Purpose Driven Church

Network led by Pastor Rick Warren who is the pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, Ca. He

is also the author of the Purpose Driven Life book, which has sold over 40 Million copies. The Purpose Driven Church principles (from the New Testament Churches) focus on the five main reasons that the

church exists: worship, fellowship, discipleship, serving, and evangelism (Acts 2:42-47). Each one of these purposes is incorporated into Crossover’s mission statement. There are several other pastors of larger churches in this network that mentor, train, and support our leadership team. Crossover also partners with The American Bible Society, Urban Youth Workers Institute (Reload), and Southeastern University as they develop resources, provide training, and equip student interns.

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Crossover started with a small community of people that wanted something different. They were burned out with “organized religion” – tired of the politics, the tradition, and the masks people hid behind at many churches. They saw the needs of people on the streets that weren’t being met, and they wanted to do something about it. Pastor Joe McCutchen founded Crossover with a few other people in the early 1990’s. They moved into a facility that was basically abandoned and very run down on N. Orleans Avenue near Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. Al Palmquist was a member of the church who met Tommy Kyllonen on some basketball courts in Clearwater. Tommy was running an urban b-ball league while completing his college internship. Joe and Al challenged Tommy to start an urban youth ministry at Crossover from scratch. In December 1995, Tommy graduated from college with a B.A. in Pastoral Theology, with a concentration in Youth Ministry. He married Lucy in February of 1996 and together they founded Crossover’s Youth Ministry with only 4 teens. Over the next six years, they developed a first of its kind Hip-Hop Youth Ministry, which grew to 200 youth weekly. During this time, the Adult Ministry at Crossover maintained about 40 regular attendees as there were three different pastors (changing every two years), each of which were bi-vocational. In January of 2002, Tommy Kyllonen became the lead pastor of Crossover; a new vision and structure was birthed for the church. The church was basically re-launched as Crossover became “Purpose Driven” as the leadership team developed and implemented the mission statement: “To relevantly introduce the truth of Christ to those influenced by Urban/Hip-Hop Culture as we develop worship, purpose, unity, and leadership in their lives.” Crossover carefully and prayerfully began to make several changes to better reach the community. The services quickly grew as several new people visited and built new relationships with Christ. Many soon embraced the vision and began getting discipled and involved in serving others. God has called Crossover to be a pioneer church to reach those influenced by Urban/Hip-Hop Culture. The church has become internationally known through all of the favorable media articles, as well as the numerous CD’s, books, magazines and resources produced by Urban D. and other innovators at the church. Millions have visited Crossover’s website and thousands have attended the church services, looking to Crossover as a model. The once “run down” facility on N. Orleans Avenue was completely transformed into a unique thriving church focusing on outreach. The church grew from 40 to over 500 that attended 3 Sunday Services. In addition, the Thursday night Youth services reached hundreds more each week. In January of 2010 the campus was sold to a Haitian Church (Christian Assembly) and Crossover began temporarily meeting in the ballrooms at the Comfort Inn Conference Center on Busch Blvd. The church actually grew and reached many new people during their time at the hotel. In November of 2010 they moved into their newly remodeled 43,000 square foot facility on Fowler Ave (The former Toys R Us). With the new location and the huge amount of space, Crossover is now making Christ famous in a way they only dreamed about! The church is experiencing an incredible time of growth and community impact as it is truly a move of God! Stay tuned... we’re just getting started!

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Table of Contents:

Pg. 6 • Editorial w/ Urban D. – Servolution Pg. 8 • Flavor Fest welcome Pg. 9 • Fest Schedule Pg.10 • Speakers Bios Pg.12 • Friday Workshops Pg.14 • Saturday Workshops Pg.16 • Concert Line Up Pg.18 • Rapzilla Beat Battle Line Up Pg.22 • The New Urban Church Planting Movement Pg.29 • DJ Spotlight - DJ Dash Pg.31 • Producer Spotlight - Sicily Pg.32 • New Artist - Kelly Kelz Pg.34 • Group 1 Crew Pg.36 • Dinah’s Story Pg.38 • Cover Story feat. Flame Pg.44 • The UK Scene Pg.46 • City Takers Pg.48 • Music Reviews Magazine flips upside down @ Page 50 Pg.52 • Soul Significance (For The Ladies) Pg.53 • Crossover Outreach Pg.57 • W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. Pg.59 • C.H.O.S.E.N. Pg.60 • They Said What? Pg.63 • Remix Pg.64 • Media/Video Team Pg.65 • Crossoverchurch.org Pg.66 • Activate Pg.67 • Financial Peace Pg.68 • JCM Pg.69 • PoetS.O.U.L. Pg.73 • Crossover - More Than Music Pg.74 • The Next Class Pg.75 • Connection Class Pg.77 • The Movement Teen Ministry Pg.81 • Roots Groups Pg.83 • Kidz Ministry Pg.85 • Sunday Vibe & Sunday Night Vibe Pg.89 • DNA/Core Values Pg.93 • Beliefs and History Pg.96 •Welcome

The S.O.U.L. Team

Publisher: Tommy Kyllonen aka Urban D. Creative Director: Edward Bayonet aka Spec Contributing Editors: David Wylie, Lucy Kyllonen Contributing Writers: Charles “Clok” Langudoc, Sketch The Journalist, Delia Harris, Kerlyn Nista Joseph, Lucy Kyllonen, David Wylie, Theo Meade, Charlynn Ramirez, Paul Ferrara, Tito Rodriguez, Gerry Van Mansfeld and Matt Brooks Review Team: Brovah Greg, DJ Inchant, Spyvey and Miles Harris Photography: Carlos Espinel - carlosespinelphotography.com, DJ Dash - dashthedj.com & Spec for iamspec.com Contributing Designers: Terrell Thompson - info@80seven08.com Design Department: iAMSPEC.com * Printed by Imagemedia.com in Tarpon Springs, Florida For information on advertising visit: www.thesoulmag.com and download the current press

kit for detailed demographics, ad rates and specs.

S.O.U.LMAG is published two times annually by Crossover Church. Crossover is a nonprofit 501(c)3. Crossover’s mission is “To relevantly introduce the Truth of Christ to those influenced by urban/hip-hop culture as we develop worship, purpose, unity, and leadership in their lives.” S.O.U.LMAG exists to build on this mission as we take it to a global platform through print. S.O.U.LMAG Magazine/Crossover Church Mailing Address: 8870 N. Himes Ave. #654 Tampa, Fl 33614 Physical Office Address: 1235 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, Fl 33612 *All S.O.U.LMAG issues are now available digitally at our websites:

www.thesoulmag.com / www.crossoverchurch.org

Weekly Service Times

Sundays: Sunday Vibe - 10am & 11:45am / Sunday Night Vibe - 7pm All three services are the same format (guest artist performance at the 7:00 pm service) All three services have childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programming for infants up to 5th grade.

Thursdays: The Movement Hip-Hop Teen Service 7:30pm - 9pm Campus closes at 10:00 pm / Junior and Senior High School Students ONLY

Roots Groups Bible Studies

These groups meet in semesters in homes and on the church campus on different nights of the weeks - check out our website for current groups.

www.crossoverchurch.org/rootsgroups

Hola! What’s good!

Welcome to Crossover!

We’re glad you’re checking out our latest issue of S.O.U.L. magazine. If you have recently attended one of our services or events, we thank you for coming to be with us. If we haven’t already personally met you, we look forward to that opportunity in the near future. You can usually catch us hanging out after services in the lobby. Maybe you are reading this and you haven’t actually been to Crossover yet. We hope you’ll have the chance to come out and see us real soon. Either way, this magazine was designed so you could better get to know who we are and what we are about. As you are holding this you may be thinking, “Wow, a church that publishes their own magazine…and it actually looks really professional.” If you have visited us there were probably several other things in our worship service that smashed some of your typical stereotypes about church. We love to do that! If you really get to know Christ you’ll see there was nothing typical about Him either! He’s real, He’s relevant, and He’s relational! That’s what we’re about here at Crossover. That’s why we have planned our music, our prayers, and our messages and basically everything we do to be real, relevant, and relational as we point you to Christ. Our presentation is definitely different than most, but what we’re presenting is real truth that you can apply to your life now. It’s not watered down as some may assume because of our appearance or style. Instead, you’ll find a solid leadership team that teaches the Word of God in context. We believe that when you come to church you should feel comfortable so you can be real. We believe that coming to church should be a fun and exciting experience, not a boring one. We’re here to celebrate what God as done for us, and learn how we can develop a closer relationship with Him and make the right choices that honor him in our every day lives. There’s definitely going to be some challenges to stretch us to grow, but we’re here to push each other and help support each other. More than half of the people that now attend our church previously did not go to church or have a personal relationship with Christ. For some, it had been several years since they walked into a church because they had some bad experiences or just thought it wasn’t relevant. Others had never been to church at all. There are also some that already knew Christ, but were looking for a place they could feel more comfortable and get involved in a ministry truly reaching the culture. At Crossover Church we believe we are supposed to be a family…we are a growing multiethnic, multi-generational, economically diverse faith community with people from all different backgrounds. Christ is the thing that unites us. Our family is on a journey together. Our goal is to continue to invite others to join us on this journey as we get to know our creator and fulfill the purposes he has for our lives. God has an incredible vision for our church, and we hope with this magazine you can get to know us a little bit better, and if it’s God’s plan… even become part of our family. It’s an exciting time at Crossover as our new location has positioned us to impact this city like never before! As we follow God’s direction we know our greatest days of impact are ahead! If you have any questions please feel free to email us or call the church office. We look forward to seeing you soon. Peace and God Bless,

Pastor Tommy, Lucy Deyana, and Sophia

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