Tampa – Being just a member of a church is boring. Becoming a contributor to your church is engaging. Believing you have the chance to activate your spiritual gifts and embarking on a season of positive growth is empowering. That is why Crossover Church does not have volunteers. They have Activators. People who are ignited in their passion for God’s calling on their lives and who can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They want to do things now rather than simply talk about them. It is this very element that has sparked a revival in the Urban Uptown communities of Tampa.
The ability to discover, the opportunity to develop, and the excitement of displaying Jesus Christ in every area of their lives is the mission of the Lead Pastor of Crossover Church, Pastor Tommy “Urban D” Kyllonen. The foundation of serving as an Activator here is all fueled by the attendance and completion of the 3D Growth Track class offered to churchgoers. This class is offered as a three-week session held on Sundays during the 9:45 AM service in addition to a one-day course held once a month on Saturdays from 9 AM-4 PM. Keeping in line with the fact that Crossover is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and multi-class church are the multiple teaching styles offered to attendees depending on which class fits their schedule best.
As the co-instructor for the Sunday classes, I had the pleasure of observing Loriana de Paz, Jay Miranda, and Matt Gerry teach the interested parties. Each of them used their own personal style to lead the class, with Matt engaging often with the class while Loriana and Jay stuck to disseminating the source material created and printed in packets for the students. The most effective director of this program, due primarily to the continuity of the one-day Saturday class, was Crossover Church’s Pastor.
While observing the dynamic and impactful teaching style of Executive Pastor Christopher Harris, one could not help but notice that he possesses enough “quotable insight” to flesh out an entire book of wit and wisdom, akin to the appropriately titled “Gumpism’s,” but on a more eternal level. “Tweet That!”, he exclaims, as he repeats his enlightening statement once more to ensure the information has resonated and made an impact on the classroom. A catchphrase of sorts, Pastor Harris uses tools such as alliteration frequently in his sermons and throughout the day to make his notions memorable. During one interaction, he was able to string together 6 seemingly different words beginning with the letter “I” to drive home a point about our spiritual gifts and it left the room in silence as they pondered the mastery of language.
As I walk in to sit down, Gospel music plays a few decibels higher than expected in a church sanctuary, representing an audible substrate while all ten registered students complete the administrative paperwork and begin perusing the spiritual gifts assessment. Crossover Church is as technologically savvy as any church in the world, allowing this information to be entered into their Crossover813 app as well.
For the one-day version of the course, Pastor Harris uses an icebreaker activity that works well for this medium-sized group of 10 people. The Circle of Memory Icebreaker Activity invites each student to think of a descriptive word that starts with the same letter as their name, e.g. “Overcoming Orlando” or “Creative Chris”. The facilitator then explains that each of the participants in the activity is going to take turns introducing themselves to the group using their descriptions. The catch is, that when it’s your turn, you’ll need to say the alliteration names of everyone before you before you can say your name. For example, if you’re the third person after Orlando and Chris you’ll need to say “Overcoming Orlando” and “Creative Chris” before you introduce yourself. If you make a mistake then the activity bounces back to the person before you and they need to reintroduce everyone before them and themselves again, then it’s back to you. The Circle of Memory Icebreaker Activity rarely gets completed but serves its purpose as a way to connect the group for the day.
The 3D Growth Track class was a rollercoaster of insights and reflections:
At 10 am, Pastor Christopher kicked off the class with a vivid analogy that compared attending a previous church to working at a different store. He painted a picture of a cashier moving from KMart to Walmart, emphasizing the need for orientation at the new place, even if you’re an experienced cashier. This analogy set the foundation for the class, framing the transition into Crossover Church as a unique journey requiring understanding and alignment with the church’s values.
Before diving into the meat of the class, Pastor Christopher led a prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the engagement that day. It was a moment of intentional connection with the divine, highlighting the importance of seeking spiritual guidance in the learning process.
A pivotal point arose when Pastor Christopher stressed the idea that anything God commands us to do requires practice. He shared his personal commitment to practicing prayer, underscoring the significance of consistent spiritual disciplines.
Throughout the class, Pastor Christopher actively engaged with the students, walking around, checking in, and encouraging them to take notes. This hands-on approach created a sense of personal connection, fostering an environment where each student felt seen and valued.
Tweet That! “Jesus may be in your heart, but Grandpa is in your bones!”
11:00 AM
After the break, Pastor Harris dove into the packet of information, providing a quick overview of what the church believes regarding controversial topics like the Trinity, water baptism, and marriage. The emphasis was on creating the fewest barriers of entry to the church for new followers, intending to guide them further in their spiritual journey as time goes on.
Pastor Christopher posed thought-provoking questions about truth, emphasizing that the Bible is the ultimate truth, and everything taught in the church is backed up by scripture. This discussion grounded the class in the foundational beliefs of Crossover Church.
BREAK TIME
At 11:30 AM, we took a specific break, recognizing the importance of the next portion of the class. Pastor Harris highlighted a stumbling block he has noticed over his years in Ministry. The diverse nature of the church presented a challenge, navigating a multi-class structure with different perspectives on faith. The dichotomy between “what have you done” and “what can you do” viewpoints needed bridging and we were urged to find a middle ground on the issue.
The class then delved into a deep question: How many institutions were created by God? The answers varied, highlighting a potential misunderstanding. The Pastor shared his belief that God created Family/Marriage as the core institution, followed by a form of government in the Laws of Leviticus, and finally, the institution of the Church. This discussion led to insights about pain stemming from unmet expectations within our families.
Tweet That! “A sign of your maturity is the speed of your obedience.”
During this segment, Pastor Harris, prone to “mini-sermon” tangents, noticed a student feeling attacked. Recognizing the potential impact on a new member’s perception of the church, he handled the situation with care. Instead of focusing on the perceived offense, he isolated the statement, apologized for any confusion, and emphasized the danger of isolation as a tactic of the enemy.
Returning to the curriculum, Proverbs 18:24 was discussed, highlighting the enemy’s desire to isolate individuals from their church community. Pastor Christopher stressed the importance of being contributors, not just members, urging students to get connected and not ignore God’s calling to lead others.
NOON – Break for lunch. The meal, catered by a local church partner, Jason’s Deli, provided a moment for the class to recharge.
Once we returned to class, our educator and leader for the afternoon shared a lighthearted story about running into someone at the gym. This anecdote served well in setting the mood for the next part of the class. I will say this on the matter: If you see someone wearing a Crossover T-shirt in your gym, make sure it is not the Executive Pastor of that Church before you boast about how often you attend!
12:30 PM – DEVELOP – CLASS 2
Pastor Harris begins the second half of the day by delving deeper into 5 theological truths the church promotes to its growing community: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going. He stresses that God has created us as human beings, not human doings. Therefore, he is interested in who we are and what we are becoming in comparison to what we have done. Too often we believe that what we do defines us. Think of the last time that you met someone. How long before you asked them, “What do you do for a living?” First question? Second? Possibly you are waiting for a minute or two but instead of asking who you are, we default to asking what you do. This is an issue with identity as we can certainly take action and do something that does not define who we are.
The second truth was one the class spent close to 50 minutes discussing. Forgiving. In such an intimate setting, many students felt comfortable enough to open up and reference deeply personal experiences. Questions were asked and answered, back and forth; with a few gotcha moments, flairs of embellishment, and attempts to show one’s intellect, but all in good humor and cathartic. The lengthy discussion focused on whether or not “forgiving means forgetting.” Pastor Harris and the class agreed that you can forgive someone and not completely forget about the offense, but if you no longer feel pain from it then you can truly say you have forgiven. One topic that was discussed related to third-person forgiveness. This was described as a situation where you are a in position where you must forgive someone who has indirectly caused you pain. The example of a father forgiving someone who harmed his daughter was used and the discussion was appropriately difficult to quantify.
The third area was serving, which would be discussed later in the day since that entire session is designed for activating your spiritual gifts on one of the church’s teams. The next area was the giving aspect of being a church member at Crossover. The fact that Jesus spoke twice as many verses regarding finances compared to prayer itself proves the significance of understanding money in a biblical sense. In some estimates, only 20% of the church attendees are actively giving to their church. Again, Pastor Harris shares that he is roughly quoting numbers from studies, but the fact remains that only a small percentage of churchgoers actually tithe. Harris points out that we tend to “tip” God instead of giving the Lord the first 10% of what we reap financially. An incredible story is brought up recognizing Pastor Rick Warren and how his family can “reverse tithe” at this stage of their lives. This is where Pastor Rick and his wife live off of 10% of what they earn while donating 90% of their income back to the church and its endeavors. The most impactful statement made was how transparent the church is, the checks and balances in place, and the oversight committee ensuring the money is managed correctly. The class was distributed copies of the previous year’s financial statements as well.
Lastly, Pastor Christopher discussed going, a part of the Christian walk where real service work takes place. This is where I would like to turn to another important aspect of my project – actively participating in Flavor Fest. This event represented a unique opportunity to engage with our community and showcase the love, inclusivity, and transformative power of our faith. Whether it was through organizing the merchandise for the artists, coordinating tables, or being a welcoming presence, I was deeply involved in making Flavor Fest a memorable and impactful event.
2:00 PM -DISPLAY
The atmosphere was again set with a clear purpose – to unravel the unique SHAPE for ministry in every participant. S.H.A.P.E. stands for Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. The class aimed to guide individuals in identifying their talents, abilities, interests, personalities, and experiences. The goal? To empower them to maximize their potential in life and illuminate the path meant for them in ministry, service, or vocation. Pastor Harris began by unveiling the divine design blueprint through the lens of Ephesians 2:10. The verse served as a foundation, proclaiming that each person is a masterpiece, intricately created for good works predetermined by God. It was a powerful reminder of the divine craftsmanship behind every life.
The concept of the “Sweet Spot” emerged, defined as the place of service or mission where an individual operates at their maximum effectiveness. It’s not just about what you do; it’s the reason you were created to live. This notion sparked a palpable energy as participants pondered their own sweet spots.
Next came the exploration of spiritual gifts – special and unique supernatural abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit. My spiritual gifts—discernment, exhortation, and faith—were discovered during this class two years ago and put to the test throughout this semester’s project. By leading the Growth Track class, I employed my leadership skills and spiritual discernment to guide participants in their spiritual journeys. I identified and addressed a spiritual challenge within a brother that may have escalated into something much more painful. That experience aligned with the biblical teachings on leadership, stewardship of spiritual gifts, and serving others.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV) reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently.” Quoting 1 Corinthians 12:11, Pastor Harris emphasized that these gifts are distributed by the Spirit as He determines and cannot be taken away.
At this point we we blessed with another editorial oration by Pastor Harris. he spoke of how he felt that many successful people in the music and entertainment industry are utilizing their talents, yet not acknowledging they are from God. Most motivational speakers are those who have run from God’s calling to preach. Whitney Houston enjoyed the fruits of her voice long after she turned away from God. He pointed out that while we all have talents, our spiritual gifts show up when we turn to Jesus.
The discussion turned to the purpose behind God’s endowment of gifts and abilities. What God has placed in individuals should sustain the life He’s called them to. The class then took a reflective turn. Participants were prompted to consider what they learned about themselves, what they learned about God, and insights into their spiritual gifts. The room buzzed with introspection and whispered conversations. The concept of “heart’s passions” was introduced, encompassing a passion for a role, specific people, and a cause. Individuals delved into what they love to do, whom they enjoy helping, and what changes they want to see in the world. The exploration continued into natural abilities and unique experiences. Participants pondered their personality traits, from introversion to extroversion, and how these traits influence the use of their spiritual gifts and abilities. Class three wrapped up the concept of SHAPE, where personality influences the use of spiritual gifts and abilities. Individuals reflected on their ministry experiences, work experiences, educational experiences, spiritual experiences, and painful experiences – each contributing to their unique shape.
3:30 – DISCUSSION OF SERVICE / FEEDBACK
Crossover Church has one of the most impressive outreach efforts the city of Tampa has ever seen. The class was briefed on CHOSEN, the Women’s Ministry available to all ladies who are at least college age and beyond. This is a group of women who encourage each other through services, forums, and other types of events. The class also heard about the men’s group. Fight Club is a place where men, real men who love and follow Jesus, get to chop up the Word of God. This group lives by Proverbs 27:17 which says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” ”Love Our City,” “Flavor Fest,” and “Kidz Ministry” were also touched on as parts of the outreach programs that the new members could sign up for.
Once 4:15 hit, we began our tour of the facility and chatted throughout our exit. I mentioned earlier in this project that I was given the chance to minister to a brother in need, and I used this time to loan him the most influential book I have ever read aside from the Bible.
This book was a turning point in my life and given where this gentleman was at in his, I felt the need to pass it along. I pray it will make a similar impact on him and his relationship with Jesus.
The 3D Growth Track class unfolded as a rich tapestry of beliefs, challenges, and personal reflections, leaving both me and the participants with much to digest and apply in our ongoing journey of faith. I can’t wait to attend the next one.
Mike Hamson 