David Cross: God’s Man

Romans 12:1,2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

I have never known any man to more fully live out this scripture than David Cross. All Christians the Lord “did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,” which will be perfectly fulfilled when we get to heaven. Bro. David demonstrated that as much in this life as anyone I ever knew.

Pastor and Mrs. David CrossOn April 3, 1992 Brother David Cross first met with the Executive Council of Baptist International Outreach. On April 4, 2015 he first met with the Savior and saints in Glory, having given twenty-three years of selfless service to BIO. At that first BIO meeting no one could have known what a tremendous gift God had bestowed upon us. The Bible says there is safety in a multitude of counselors, but many times there is stability in just one counselor. For BIO, and for me personally, Brother Cross was that one counselor.

When I came to BIO it didn’t take long for me to learn the wisdom in seeking his counsel on important matters. A few times our vessel sailed through choppy seas, and without exception I went to Brother David for advice. I always left feeling more secure. When we first learned of his condition, I prayed for the Lord not to require him to suffer needless pain, but to leave him with us as long as He could. He stayed with us for another twelve years. How greatly God blessed us!

During our BIO Executive Council meetings Bro. Cross had the rare ability of being adamant about what he believed without being abrasive in his conduct. He always thought things through carefully and presented his case convincingly. On the rare occasions that his view was rejected, he accepted the will of the majority and never showed a negative spirit.

Brother David served as vice president and treasurer of BIO for many years. He worked tirelessly, many times in great pain, for our benefit, and was faithful when others would have given up. He spent countless hours helping to set up our financial system. He had earned great respect in the community, which allowed him to accomplish unique things. Such was the case with our effort to obtain a new loan to put BIO in a better financial position. The results bordered on the miraculous.

Heaven is richer and we are poorer today, and there is a great void in our hearts and in our ministry. We say “Thank you, Brother David, for allowing God to use you, and for setting such a tremendous example for us to follow.”

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