This week’s episode of TCC Radio has us encouraging people to look at the world around them and see how much everyone is alike. The age old excuse of “Everybody’s doing it!” might not hold any water for you after listening to this episode.
Everyone wears a mask, the question is; What Lies Beneath?
Check out What Lies Beneath tomorrow night on Grace FM in London, and next week on The Stream TV.
Above is the army of witnessing warriors who teamed up with TCC to fight on the frontline this past Friday, July 24th. We praise God for the faithful witness of these saints and also for the many people who heard the Gospel and received tracts on the streets of our hometown this week!
Envision this…what would our nation look like if every city and town across Canada had a similar army of sold-out soul-winners sowing and watering the seed of the Gospel each and every week? Wow!
Please continue praying that the Lord gives His true Church His burden for loving Him, each other, and the lost.
For His Glory Alone,
Cory
by Producer Kevin Lane
It’s always fun to re-air an older series because I get to play with the sound and make it sound better than it did when it was first broadcast. That way when we sell the packages people get the best sounding product we can give them.
But what’s better than repeats? NEW SHOWS!!!
I just sent the brand new script to Cory and our clip production team a few moments ago. Check out What Lies Beneath on TCC Radio on the 31st in London Ont and the following week on The Stream TV!
Of course August is going to be just amazing as we go FULLY LIVE in London, and then broadcast those live shows as recorded in other areas after that.
Death. Does it scare you? It scares Clayton…for all the RIGHT reasons.
Clayton’s Story
In light of Clayton’s clear, and sobering wake up call to preach the Gospel, I encourage you to meditate on 3 key Scripture verses:
God has set eternity the hearts of people. People know they will one day die and they live in bondage to the fear and uncertainty of where they will go after they’ve breathed their last. The Good News for all those who have truly repented and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone is that He has brought us life and immortality to light through the Gospel! Believe it. Know it. Share it. For IT IS their only hope.
PS: Clayton McDonald died on March 16th, 2009.
Cory
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1John 4:4
The reality is that their is a spirit of truth and a spirit of error (1john 4;6) and whether we are witnessing or dealing with our troubles, we are of the spirit of God, and the Holy spirit whom seals us. We have overcome them by our christian testimony, proceeding from the spirit of Christ, which invalidates theirs which comes from the influence of the spirit of Satan.
Therefore greater is the Holy spirit which is in you, than the spirit which is in the world, your problems, or a difficult witnessing encounter. My prayer is that instead of telling God how big the storm is, that we tell the storm how big our God is.
Thomas Woodburn
After many, many, many, many, many, many (getting the point?:) months of hard work and technical troubleshooting, our online store is finally open!
Now all the radio programs and other relational/spiritual conversation starters you need to more effectively reach out and share the Gospel with all the loved ones and strangers in your life are just a mouse click away!
We trust this online catalogue will help equip you and your church with the field-tested evangelism training, tools, and resources you need to be Christ’s witnesses and train others to be as well.
Special thanks to Duncan Freeburn and Jonathon Hyjek for helping make it happen!
Click here to take a little “Cross walk” through our new online store!
Last night we set up a prayer station on the street for the very first time…and we experienced humble beginnings to say the least! But, thankfully, whether we stand at a prayer station or just walk through the park “business as usual”, the Lord is always gracious to make our feet beautiful for preaching His precious Gospel!
The prayer station attracted an entirely different “clientele” than we’re used to hosting on the streets of our hometown. The first to approach the station was a middle aged man by the name of Jack. Jack claimed to be a “blood bought Christian”, however, as we started to talk about what God truly saved us from on the Cross, I become increasingly more concerned about Jack’s eternal well being – and so did he. (*To learn more about what God primarily saved us from on the Cross, click here and listen to the message entitled “Contemplating the Cross”). After I shared the biblical Gospel with Jack, he then allowed me to pray with him.
Next, a young lady by the name of Nichole approached the station to ask whether she could have a Bible. “Of course!” I replied. “Are you a Christian?” Nichole said she was a Christian, yet she also held to an eclectic sort of faith about Jesus and reincarnation. As I began to talk with her about the holiness of God and our sinfulness in His sight, her countenance changed from very flippant to very fearful. After our conversation, Nichole thanked me and also asked whether I could help her by referring her to a Christian counselor for drug addiction. In fact, we had THREE PEOPLE IN A ROW ask us the same question! Ever feel as though the Lord is trying to tell you something? Well, stay tuned for more information on putting together a Gospel Outreach team in your church who will preach the Gospel while practically serving the needs of those your community.
Anyhow, we again thank God for the many great Gospel encounters He allowed us to have last night. And though our prayer station debut was somewhat humbling…I’d also say that it was a smash hit! However, prayer booth or no prayer booth, we praise God that everytime we step out in faith He always comes through!
PS: We’ll be adding more to our prayer station and sharing more of our experiences right here in the weeks to come, but in the meantime, click here for a GREAT instructional video on setting up your own prayer station, courtesy of my good friend and mentor, Tony “The Lawman” Miano.
For His Glory,
Cory
TCC RADIO | LIVE!
The Lord continues to break new ground for TCC to preach the Gospel in Canada week to week, and for us to equip His Church to more effectively do the same! For the entire month of August, we will be broadcasting TCC Radio LIVE both “in the studio and on the street” with a flexible new format. Not only will each episode of this special “hot seat” series be extended to one hour, but it will also feature in-studio commentary with Cory McKenna and his pastor Norm Millar about equipping the Church to engage the culture PLUS a live, street-level Gospel encounter with a non-Christian…via cell phone! The shows will be both broadcasted and podcasted as part of our regular production schedule.
TCCRadioLIVE-Radio Spot (As Heard on Grace FM in London, Ont)
Welcome to our local missions field report for May and June of 2009! These brief, bi-monthly, Good News letters are specially designed to give you the bottom line on all the latest and greatest happenings, highlights, and Gospel glory stories we encounter as we serve the Church to keep the Cross current in Canada.
TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE XSTREAM IN TORONTO!
The 2009 XTM Toronto Team: (back – l to r) Mike Vinson, Greg Sceviour, Tom Briggs, Trent Herbert, Kem Chapman, John Gonciarz. (front – l to r) Chris Wood, Cory McKenna, Jeff Mardling
On Saturday May 16th, The Cross Current came together for the 2009 Xstream Team Mission (XTM) Toronto! We praise God for giving us all the favour and grace we needed to host one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities to almost twelve hours of fun-filled, power-packed Gospel outreach!
Do you know that there are over 100 languages spoken in Toronto and virtually every type of false religion is practiced? The Lord allowed us to preach His precious Gospel to dozens and dozens of Atheists, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Scientologists, and New Agers – just to name a few! We also passed Gospel tracts to thousands more and prayed for several too.
Special thanks to: Mike Vinson (pictured right in red) of Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville for partnering with us to represent for this event, and all those who committing to praying for our time in Toronto. Praise God for continuing to bring us all together to keep the Cross current in our culture!
Our next XTM event is scheduled for Barrie, Ontario on Saturday, August 15th. This will be our very first local missions trip to Barrie, so please pray in advance for God’s favour on our time there and for Him to help us develop a strong partner church relationship for this location.
Click here to view the entire 2009 XTM Toronto photo album
Click here to submit an application to join the XTM Barrie Team
Click here to contact us about having your church partner with us at XTM Barrie
Click here to contact us about sponsoring a local missionary for this event
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH TCC REP JEFF MARDLING!
We’ve asked TCC Rep and Board Member, Jeff Mardling to communicate what sharing the Gospel in partnership with TCC means to him. In the picture above, Jeff shares the Gospel with a biker on Canada Day in Ottawa.
The Cross Current is passionately devoted to telling the world about eternal salvation found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few! That’s why TCC also desires to help every church have a heart for the lost, and help every individual believer have a biblical conversation with whomever they come in contact.
TCC has given me the encouragement and resources to effectively talk about eternal matters with family, friends, and complete strangers. It is a fellowship of evangelists who are committed to making the lost souls of this planet a priority in our everyday lives. TCC will not only stand by you with training and technique of how to witness to people, but we are also there for the local church and ready to serve the church in their evangelistic endeavours.
The Lord has been clear in His call for me to minister the Gospel in the streets of this nation, and I am so thankful for the men and women of TCC who give their time and efforts to help me stay faithful to that calling. Prayer, phone calls, and regular outreach events have all had a huge impact on my ability to tell and preach the matchless message of salvation to so many who are perishing.
It is my desire that you be encouraged to obey the command of our Lord to go into the entire world with His glorious Gospel. TCC will stand shoulder to shoulder with you and your church to help you become more enthusiastic and dedicated to witnessing for Jesus Christ. I realize that as I draw nearer to eternity, I have precious few days to speak truth into lives around me; TCC is there to make those days more effective for the glory of God and His Kingdom.
Jeff also serves in TCC church relations and donor development. Click here to email him directly.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE 2009 EXODUS PRO-LIFE RALLY
Trent’s Testimony
The following was submitted by Trent Herbert. Trent is a dear friend and ministry partner of The Cross Current and founder of Truth & Love For Life Ministries. 
This year, seven individuals attended the Pro-Life Rally in Ottawa. We carried a casket that advertised the fact that over 2.5 million Canadians have been aborted since 1970 in Canada. That number has now reached over 3 million if the statistics are fairly consistent each year, which equals approximately 100, 000 abortions each year in Canada and 385 children dying each working day. The numbers have decreased recently in the U.S. and Canada. Ten to twelve thousand people were said to be there, but the mainstream media was largely absent.
We have also started taking pro-life signs to the downtown area of London, under the leadership of Dean Idsinga. Recently, my seven year-old daughter and five year-old son were present and giving out many tracts to those who passed by. This is a great way to get children involved in this vital ministry! Children are also great for helping break down barriers, visibly reminding people of the preciousness of young life, and getting the Gospel out. Pro-life ministry is not only a safe engagement of their culture in a radical way, but their young minds don’t easily forget these meaningful times. May we lead the next generation to engage their culture for life issues and eternal issues!
Tom’s Testimony
The following was submitted by Tom Briggs. Tom is a Rep and trainer with TCC who brings years of experience and wisdom to our team.
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I had the privilege and honour of joining men, women, and children from Canada and the United States who gathered together on Parliament Hill for the 2009 Exodus Pro-Life Rally. It was a cold, wet, and gloomy day; quite indicative of the prevailing sombre mood of the assembly. The “abortion issue” digs deep to the core of life itself: It is either a matter of surrendering to God’s will and purpose of creation (creating life in His image), or it is a matter of exalting oneself above God by usurping His authority over life and death. The earthly and eternal consequences for self-determination over life and death are staggering: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). I grieve for the aborted babies, but even more for those who support, encourage, and partake in genocidal acts against silent, innocent, and helpless human beings.
Several politicians spoke to those who gathered, putting on a “brave face” in their attempts to encourage the faithful. Yet, they did admit that the pro-life caucus in Parliament was a minority position. All scheduled speakers attempted to generate hope and encouragement in order to carry on with the “life and death struggle”. I was a witness to God’s immeasurable grace and mercy: A few women and men expressed deep remorse and anguish over their part in past abortions. True repentance was evident, and their testimonies of “fighting the good fight” on behalf of the unborn were truly inspirational.
The Pro-Life Rally opened my eyes to two startling facts. Almost all of the participants were Roman Catholic. The news media was conspicuous by its absence. Outside of the small group that I joined for the rally, I did not see any sign or banner (nor did I meet anyone) that would indicate participation in of any other evangelical group. Furthermore, the media coverage was scant at best. Though I searched, I could not find television coverage following the event. My daughter and son-in-law (who live in the Ottawa area) found very little publicizing the event in secular print sources. In addition to that, I found out about post event coverage only through my daughter’s email link showing a short article from an Ottawa daily newspaper. The article revealed (in photographs and print) a strong Catholic presence with my mention of evangelical participation. I was not aware of any media coverage outside the Ottawa area.
In summation, I feel that the issue of protecting life from conception to natural death is an immense spiritual battle that only the Lord can win. This battle will be lost unless the Lord convicts and empowers His Church to reach out to all of Canada with the spiritual weaponry only God can provide. The stench of our sins has reached the nostrils of God; His judgment on this nation is in process. Pray that God will wake up His Church in time to stay the outpouring of His full wrath on this nation. Pray that God will mightily use us as instruments of revival and healing for the nation of Canada and beyond. Be ready and able to carry on the good fight.
TCC SEED SOWING STATS | May – June 2009
By God’s grace, The Cross Current continues to share the Gospel on the streets of Canada each week and equip other Christians to do the same!
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Here are the bottom line TCC seed sowing stats at the half way point of this year:
Access more information on how TCC can equip you and your church to more effectively share Christ
TCC RADIO REVIEW | May – June 2009
SPECIAL BROADCAST | What Justice Demands
In addition to our regular weekly outreach broadcast programming, we took the fifth Friday at the end of May to produce this very special episode of TCC Radio.
Have you ever wondered what a Christian means when they say that Jesus died for you or your sins? How could someone else die for you and your sins? Maybe you have wondered why Christians who say someone who sins just one single time in this life – which typically only lasts for 80 years or so – will have to spend eternity in Hell unless they are saved? Maybe you have sort of “done the math” and realized that these same Christians tell you that you are going to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire, but Jesus only stayed dead until the third day? How can that sacrifice possibly make up for all eternity? Did He really pay the full price – or did He just get off easy? Journey with us in the studio and on the street as we discover what justice demands…and why.
Listen to this special episode on TCC Radio
Access the TCC Radio broadcast schedule
Subscribe to the TCC Radio Podcast (search the iTunes Store for “TCC Radio”)
THE ROAD AHEAD…
TCC RADIO | LIVE!
The Lord continues to break new ground for TCC to preach the Gospel in Canada week to week, and for us to equip His Church to more effectively do the same! For the entire month of August, we will be broadcasting TCC Radio LIVE both “in the studio and on the street” with a flexible new format. Not only will each episode of this special “hot seat” series be extended to one hour, but it will also feature in-studio commentary with Cory McKenna and his pastor Norm Millar about equipping the Church to engage the culture PLUS a live, street-level Gospel encounter with a non-Christian…via cell phone! The shows will be both broadcasted and podcasted as part of our regular production schedule.
TCC TV | UPDATE
In our last newsletter we reported that God had opened the door for The Cross Current to launch an Internet-based reality television show on The Stream TV network out of Orangeville, ON (click here to read the story and view the reality TV trailer). The first update is that we are still moving forward with the program!
The second update involves our production and program schedule. The Stream TV Program Director has recently confirmed that The Cross Current program can be streamed immediately, IF we are able to produce the episodes ourselves. That’s why we are currently praying that the Lord will bring us a volunteer videographer who loves the Lord and the lost, and has the gifting necessary to help us produce bi-weekly programs.
Could that special someone be you? Or perhaps you know of someone who may be well suited to serve in this vital area?
If so, please click here to email us the candidates’ contact information.
Will you give the gift of the Gospel again and again in Canada?
Click here to learn more about how you can financially partner with us to share the Gospel over the airwaves and Internet with the Church in Canada!
TWEET-TWEET…TWITTER-TWITTER!
For those of you old enough to remember that cheesy Life Savers song from the 80’s…that posting title is for you! For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about…you really didn’t miss much.:) However, now that I’ve given you a bit of a hint how old I am, hopefully you’ll extend me a bit of “cyber-grace”!
I grew up in a time when it was totally NOT cool to “poke” friends, but now it’s OK – well, if they are FACEBOOK friends, I guess. I also grew up in a time when being followed by strangers meant running to a Block Parent and “tweet” was just a simple sound that a bird makes – but not anymore. Now I’m told that “tweeting” on Twitter is a high tech way to invite the world to follow what I’m doing and where I’m doing it at any given time of day.
That’s why TCC has jumped on the broadband bandwagon and started “tweeting” on Twitter…and I have to admit that it’s a lot of fun! In fact, we’re going to encourage more of our core TCC team members to not only let the world know what they are doing right now, but we’ll also all be sharing “truth tweets from the streets” too as we invite you to experience more encounters in everyday evangelism with The Cross Current!
Click here to find out more about following TCC on Twitter!
PLAYING IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS
Judah Elias McKenna (May 30th, 2009 ~ June 5th, 2009)
On Saturday, May 30th, 2009, Judah Elias McKenna was born into the family of Cory and Dawn McKenna. As most you know, Cory McKenna is the founder and program host of The Cross Current. We all rejoiced with the McKenna’s at the safe arrival of God’s blessing into their family.
Six days later on Friday, June 5th, 2009, little Judah went home to be with Jesus. These are things that we do not have answers for – only questions. Judah’s time on earth may have been short, but in spite of it, he touched the hearts and lives of those around him. We may not possibly understand what this family is going through but we can witness the way in which we see the hand of God upon the McKenna’s, and how He is sustaining and bringing peace into their lives, home, and ministry.
We would like to encourage you and all believers everywhere to remember them during this difficult time of loss. We thank you in advance for continuing to uplift them in prayer, especially over the next few months.
Click here for the full story on Judah Elias McKenna
HOW COULD A LOVING GOD ALLOW SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
Click here for your TCC Radio “Quick Q & A” 1-minute answer!
We thank God for you and your ongoing partnership in spreading the Gospel with The Cross Current!
We thank you in advance for praying for our local missionaries on a regular basis and we also humbly ask that you prayerfully consider becoming a “Cross Carrier” who will commit to regularly praying and donating to our local missions ministry in Canada.
In closing, we will continue praying that the Lord uses these brief updates to impact your own personal life and witness for Him!
For His Glory,
The Cross Current Team
TCC SEED SOWING STATS | May - June 2009
By God’s grace, The Cross Current continues to share the Gospel on the streets of Canada each week and equip other Christians to do the same!
Thanks again to all the burdened believers who cried out to the Lord together both in person and at distance during our monthly day of fasting and evening of prayer.
After the dedication of the temple, the LORD appeared to Solomon and said: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
After we humbled ourselves and repented of our sin before the Lord, our team of evangelists spent time seeking His face and petitioning Him with the following prayer needs:
Our Goals for 2009
1. Donor Development (Cross Carriers)
2. Partner Churches confirmed and Church Champions network established.
3. Balance radio and television program production
4. Promotional materials and media branding
5. Ministry development
6. Grow street team
7. Stabilize all things web
Specific Calendar Items (July)
In closing, I again personally thank God for you and for your prayer partnership with us! Please click here for more information on how you can continue praying with and for our ministry.
For His Glory,
Cory
