The Cross Church School of Ministry

school-of-ministry-headerToday on the blog, we wanted to provide an exciting opportunity for those who are called to ministry. Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas, recently announced that his church would begin the Cross Church School of Ministry.  This is a great opportunity to gain ministry experience at a great multi-site church. You can find all the available details about the School of Ministry by clicking this link. We have included the press release below.

Cross Church Northwest Arkansas announces School of Ministry; preparing for fall 2013 launch

The Cross Church School of Ministry is a one-year residential ministry experience that prepares leaders for life, ministry, and Gospel advancement globally.

In 2012, Cross Church Senior Pastor Ronnie Floyd announced his vision for the creation of the Cross Church School of Ministry. Dr. Floyd appointed Dr. Jeff Crawford as President of the Cross Church School of Ministry, a role he assumed Feb. 1, 2013.

After hosting a successful ministry internship program since 1987, the School of Ministry will provide a more in-depth, ministry-career driven curriculum and leadership experiences for God-called men and women. Cross Church School of Ministry students will be in an Oxford-style learning environment one day each week, spending the remainder of the week in mentorship, hands-on ministry, and leadership building activities.

Students will come to the Cross Church School of Ministry pre-college, during college, post-college, pre-seminary, mid or post–seminary. The one-year, residential program includes classroom expenses, housing, and travel expenses for two North American mission trips and one international mission trip.

The purpose of the Cross Church School of Ministry is not to replace what universities and seminaries do by way of theological education but to complement them. By way of research and personal experiences, Dr. Floyd, Dr. Crawford, and the Cross Church ministry team are convinced there is a major gap in ministry preparation – what is referred to as “the experience gap.” The Cross Church School of Ministry will provide a practical ministry experience across the four Northwest Arkansas campuses of Cross Church and with the dozens of church plants they support globally.

Upon entering residency at the School of Ministry, students will:

  • Select a customized ministry track, such as student, worship, discipleship, church planter, women’s, media, children’s, missions, or pastoral ministry. Many other tracks will be offered as well.
  • Experience meeting weekly in a formal, Oxford-style learning environment being prepared as leaders for life, ministry, and Gospel advancement globally.
  • Experience evaluation and accountability personally and professionally through one-on-one mentorship with a Cross Church ministry staff member.
  • Experience ministry and leadership in a local church setting.

Dr. Crawford is building relationships with the administrations of all six Southern Baptist Convention supported seminaries, collegiate institutions around the country, as well as other SBC entities such as the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. Through these partnerships, students will be enabled to earn a Cross Church School of Ministry One-Year Residency Diploma while also earning up to 30 or more collegiate or seminary credit-hours applicable to their degree requirements, depending on the institution. Church planters have the added benefit of completing NAMB’s required one-year training before placement.


Paired with a degree from a seminary or collegiate institution, the Cross Church School of Ministry will be sending out the best men and women prepared to impact the Kingdom of God and become some of the church’s greatest leaders in our generation.

In the coming months the School of Ministry will begin circulating informative materials and launching a website. For additional information, contact Dr. Jeff Crawford at jeffc@crosschurch.com