Behold the Triune God: the Father who chose us in love, the Son who took on flesh to redeem us, and the Spirit who breathes resurrection life.
He alone is holy, worthy, and beyond compare—able to satisfy our deepest longings.
And He has chosen to make His name known throughout the world through people like you and me.
So let’s make our lives count — playing our role in seeing His greatness spread to the ends of the earth, for truly, our God is like no other!
KENTUCKY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER
Let us send you personalized materials to help invite your church to CROSS.
LEARN MOREA collection of tips from experienced group leaders
Select a Category
Outreach
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Outreach
"The word about CROSS spreads mainly through our young adults giving testimony to others around our church. There is a great excitement in the air when CROSS is being talked about in a group of people!"
Brady Mulder
Holland, MI
Outreach
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Outreach
Taylor Ivester
Dayton, Ohio
Outreach
"Students are our best recruiters. We’ve seen the most success when we give them ownership — letting them help plan the details like travel, housing, meals, and the conference debrief. When students are personally invested, they naturally want their friends to come too!"
Trevor Gauronski
High Point, NC
Outreach
"We shared announcements about CROSS weekly in our Bible study. We also shared it via weekly emails and personal texts to students. A lot of our communication was individual conversations with students about whether they were interested in going."
John Romig
Keller, TX
Outreach
"We share that our church is going to Cross at outreach on campus using signs, media, and word of mouth to spread the news. "
Preston Hughes
Belton, TX
Outreach
Andrew Treece
Ashville, Ohio
Registration
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Registration
"We have a sign-up sheet on a table in the back of our church along with a weekly newsletter announcement that indicates to sign up. After getting the sign-up sheet completed, I register the entire group at one time. Occasionally, we have had others sign up later, and CROSS makes it very easy to simply add more people to the already registered group."
Brady Mulder
Holland, MI
Registration
Taylor Ivester
Dayton, Ohio
Registration
CiCi Emerson
Marietta, GA
Registration
Andrew Treece
Ashville, Ohio
Registration
"So we actually cover the registration cost for our students but they are responsible for all other costs. We as a church buy a large batch of tickets on the front end while prices are lower. I will get a ballpark headcount of what current students plan to go and buy that many regular non-refundable registrations. After that, I will buy about 1/3 more as refundable registrations to account for incoming freshmen. That way, if we don't max out, I can return the last remaining registrations. So far, this seems to be the most financially responsible way for us to buy registrations for students."
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Registration
"We have an early sign up rate to reward those who sign up early with a cheeper rate (passing on the tiered prices for tickets). We also set an early deadline for signing up so we're not rushing at the end."
Kyle Luck
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Preparation
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Preparation
Preston Hughes
Belton, TX
Preparation
"We have two meetings prior to leaving. One is usually in the summer and the other is in December. The first meeting communicates details about fundraisers while the second meeting communicates details about travels, expectations, etc. We have our young adults be prepared as well as we can by informing them of what to expect."
Brady Mulder
Holland, MI
Preparation
"Personally, I'm sure there is a ton of different ways to effectively prepare a group but we always make sure to make a group message with all the participants after signups have closed and then begin to give them things and ways to be praying for their time at the conference and all those who will be attending. Whether that is the salvation of those who may not know God, the growth of those who do, the speakers, safe travels, etc. We also spend time discussing missions, missionaries and praying for the lost around the world."
Hunter Stonebraker
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Preparation
Submit a budget proposal to your church to help offset costs for each student!
Chase Robinson
Oxford, AL
Preparation
"One of the most impactful things we do is place students in small groups for the conference. These groups share meals and debrief each night, creating space for deep, intentional relationships to form. These relationships often continue and thrive when we return to campus."
Trevor Gauronski
High Point, NC
Preparation
Timothy Arndt
Jacksonville, Florida
Preparation
David Mullins
Perrysburg, Oh
Preparation
"Last year we asked our students to fast and pray one meal a week over their Christmas break in preparation for what God was going to do at CROSS. This seemed to help the students walk into the conference with a sense of expectation for God to work on their hearts rather than simply attending a fun conference. Plus, I don't think it ever hurts to fast and pray in preparation for a new year. The students loved that preparation and that will now be part of our yearly rhythm."
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Preparation
Wilfred Bout
Ontario, Canada
Preparation
Caleb Norrick
Canton, OH
Food
"I have taken a group two times and one time we registered too late for meal plans, and the other one we did the meal plan. I fully recommend planning on meal tickets for your group. This allows for group discussion during meals, time to explore sponsor tables, and you don't have to fight the long lines at local restaurants."
Preston Hughes
Belton, TX
Food
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Food
Tugi Erdenebaatar
Arlington, VA
Food
"With the length of lunch it is easiest to do individually in the immediate area around the conference center and there is a large variety and most are not only close but quick. With the longer break for dinner, our group always goes somewhere a mile or so away so we can find a big table where it is not crowded and spend time praying and discussing the things we have learned so far and prep our hearts for the rest of the night. In Louisville the food options are plentiful but it would be smart to plan unless you are just going to go with the convenience of the spots close to the convention center."
Hunter Stonebraker
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Food
"If staying in an Airbnb, bring someone along to be over food prep! This drastically cut down on the cost for the students. Someone would head back early to prep lunches and dinners, and we still split the cost of the food. A huge win for us! Some of this can be done in a hotel room as well, if staying in town instead of an Airbnb."
Chase Robinson
Oxford, AL
Food
"I would encourage all groups to consider the meal plans that are offered, especially if you have a large group. The Convention Center provides a great environment to eat and discuss all that you're learning over the meals you share together."
Taylor Ivester
Dayton, Ohio
Food
"Last year we brought 22 attendees. We brought a couple crock pots and fixed chicken ‘n noodles and mashed potatoes for one lunch. And we fixed sack lunches for everyone for another lunch. We live within driving distance (3 hours) so this idea probably only works for those closer to the conference location."
Andrew Treece
Ashville, Ohio
Food
"You can go to the nearest grocery store and make sacked lunches- sandwiches, chips, apple/cutie. Everyone will save money doing this. Bring it to the conference and find a spot in the convention center to eat as a group!"
Isabel Han
Tempe, AZ
Food
"For those wanting to save, take them to a grocery store so they can stock up on snacks and simple meals."
Timothy Arndt
Jacksonville, Florida
Food
"The food trucks outside CROSS are amazing! Just be prepared to stand in line in the cold for a while. But this was an easy way to get food. Also, if you are lodging close by, pack a cooler full of sandwiches, etc if people want to eat for cheap."
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Food
"We build into our budget a sit-down meal together as a team on the second night. This gives us a nicer meal together where we can slow down, process, and make memories together before the conference is over."
Kyle Luck
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Food
Caleb Norrick
Canton, OH
Food
"For meal planning, we would suggest making reservations as far in advance as possible. You can do this for lunches and dinners. The downtown restaurants will do this for larger groups and love the heads up."
CiCi Emerson
Marietta, GA
Food
"I always tell my group to bring non-perishable breakfast options with them for each day. It makes the morning rush WAY less stressful! It also encourages us all to spend our first moments of the day on more important things like personal quiet times and attending the morning prayer gathering!"
Zion McKinney
Smyrna, TN
Lodging
Brady Mulder
Holland, MI
Lodging
"We’ve been at Cross since the very beginning! We’ve tried it all, from downtown, to Airbnb, to staying with friends locally. We’ve come to love using Louisville tourism to book rooms downtown for the ease of simply walking back and forth to our rooms between sessions. Find out the absolute max to a room (including rollaways), and that will cut down on the cost per person. If you’re crunched for finances, an Airbnb nearby can be more affordable, but be sure to account for the cost of daily parking, and whether that lot has in and out privileges throughout the day! If staying downtown, shop around for the cheapest parking lot prices. Chances are, you won’t need in and out privileges if staying downtown."
Chase Robinson
Oxford, AL
Lodging
"When we arrive, I have someone in charge of getting our tickets, someone in charge of logistics with check in at the hotel, someone to secure parking for our van, and someone leading the group to unload and get to their rooms when they're ready. Each of those people are given a packet with the info they need to do their recruited job. It makes arriving and getting started smooth and quick!"
Kyle Luck
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Lodging
"One game changer for us was to find a place to spend the night on the drive up. Otherwise, we had to leave about 2am to make the start of the conference and people are exhausted. Getting sleep and showing up refreshed and excited makes the experience so much better. However, hotel costs add up quickly. So, we found that at KOA campgrounds, they usually have small cabins that rent for around $125 a night and fit 6 people. Being able to sit around the campfire and show up refreshed the next day was well worth the cost."
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Lodging
Taylor Ivester
Dayton, Ohio
Lodging
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Lodging
John Romig
Keller, TX
Lodging
Hunter Stonebraker
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Lodging
We have found it best to stay at the Galt House Hotel because of its proximity to the convention center. While there are cheaper options, the size of the rooms allows us to all gather as a group for breakfast, session recaps, prayer times, and hangout times. Additionally, the ability to walk 2 blocks and be at the convention center eliminates the need to find parking anywhere.
Caleb Norrick
Canton, OH
Lodging
"For those staying not within walking distance of the conference center, make sure that the van/bus meets the downtown parking garage height requirements. Otherwise, knowing where open parking lots are that can fit larger vehicles is handy so they are not driving around looking for options."
CiCi Emerson
Marietta, GA
Post-Conference
Megan Landis
Lancaster, PA
Post-Conference
John Romig
Keller, TX
Post-Conference
Preston Hughes
Belton, TX
Post-Conference
"The Sunday after we get back from CROSS, we have the group go in front of church and have 2-4 young adults touch on different aspects of the conference as well as how it impacted them. We also have the expectation that each young adult will write something in the monthly newsletter for our congregation, communicating to the congregation what they learned and how their faith was strengthened from the conference. This has led to follow-up conversations from others as well."
Brady Mulder
Holland, MI
Post-Conference
"The Sunday after CROSS, we normally do a panel at the end of our worship service to give the students a chance to share some of the things they learned, what they were encouraged by, and any next steps!"
Chase Robinson
Oxford, AL
Post-Conference
"Mobilize your group. Tell them about all the opportunities for missions and evangelism waiting for them back home. Even better, have one main call to action for your group to apply what they have learned."
Timothy Arndt
Jacksonville, Florida
Post-Conference
David Mullins
Perrysburg, Oh
Post-Conference
"One year we did a book study together (Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung) and met monthly several times to discuss. We also leave our GroupMe open and encourage discussion after the conference, sharing the things we learned and favorite sessions."
Andrew Treece
Ashville, Ohio
Post-Conference
"Every day at CROSS we set aside a short time to debrief. With a large group, not everyone got to share but it was still an encouraging time for our group to gather each day. This lets the students see how God is working amongst their college group. Then on the last day after the conference is over, at the cabins that night, we break up into small groups and debrief. Some discussed how they are wrestling with a calling to missions. Some asked for accountability in the fight against sin. Several of the students said that this late night debrief time was their favorite part of our trip to CROSS."
Brad Gaunt
Hattiesburg MS
Post-Conference
"Consider organizing a CROSS CON debriefing party! Have the group members bring along their conference notes, and have them share their key take-aways from the main talks, breakouts, books, etc. that God is continuing to use in their lives!"
Wilfred Bout
Ontario, Canada
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