February Newsletter

We are so blessed to have the privilege of continuing in ministry at our age.  We’re not “that old” but we are in our late 70’s.  Our desire is to finish strong.  Bob retired from his full-time radio job, but we are far from retired.  We have been extremely blessed, and we try to share those blessings with you often.  We rarely share serious needs – but this is the exception.   When Bob did retire from the radio, our income dropped by more than half.  Our only source of “regular” income is Social Security – for which we are extremely grateful.   Our only other source of income is through our CrossPower supporting partners and love offerings from speaking engagements.  Our supporting family, financially, is actually quite small.   We have never really tried to build a large support base because we had Bob’s income and we have never desired more than we needed.  That’s why you have seen very few intensive requests for financial support in our newsletters – unlike most “faith” ministries.  Please understand, God has always met our needs, often miraculously.  We know He will again, but we also want to be transparent with you.   We need your prayers and support. 

First, please pray that God will fill our calendar.  Yes, the love offerings are important, but far more important is the opportunity for ministry.  We want to be busy.  Our calendar for 2026 is wide open.  We’ve never advertised or aggressively sought speaking engagements – as God has always filled the calendar.  We are trusting Him to do that again.  Please pray that God would touch churches and church leaders to reach out to us and book meetings.  We can be very flexible to a church’s needs.  We love to do a full weekend, but we can fit into whatever need a church has for a single Sunday, mid-week meeting, conference etc.   The message of The Cross still changes lives, families and churches. 

Second, please pray that God would expand our support family with churches and individuals who believe in what we are doing.  We really need to expand our base of support.  We are absolutely confident that God will continue to meet our needs as He has done for the last 25 plus years.  

Third, please pray that God will continue to expand Outside The Walls.  There is so much more we want to do in reaching out to the families of individuals in prison.  Again, finances determine a great deal of what we can do. 

Your prayers and support mean everything to us.  Thank you for loving us, praying for us, supporting us.  You are a very vital part of everything we accomplish for Christ’s Kingdom!

Here’s The Latest News!

 

“What We’ve Achieved Together!”

God has been so good to us! 

January was a somewhat “quiet” month, but God gave us some wonderful opportunities to minister as well. 

• We started the month in Mechanicsburg at a wonderful, small, downtown church.  These kinds of churches are dying all over the country, but not this one!!  They are experiencing wonderful growth with a full sanctuary and a sweet, receptive spirit.  We were also able to minister at a fairly new church plant way down in Caldwell, Ohio. 
•  Bob had the privilege of speaking twice at a powerful Men’s Conference in Marysville, Ohio.  The altars were filled after both messages with men on their knees connecting with God in a deeper way.  PTL!
•  Our son is adjusting amazingly well to the new prison.  So many answers to prayer!  We are looking forward to new opportunities to do our parking lot ministry there.   
•  One of the highlights of Outside The Walls was the privilege of taking an entire family of a prisoner grocery shopping!  Because of your generosity, this family will have healthy meals for the immediate future.  Thank you!   
• Both of Bob’s eyes have healed well from the surgeries and is enjoying a whole new world of light and color.
•  We heard just a few days ago from a man that Bob led to Christ 54 years ago. Shortly afterward, God called him to ministry.  He is still active in ministry through all these years.  You never know what God will do with the seed you sow!

Where we’re Headed!

Here’s what’s on the immediate horizon for CrossPower. 

• We will be posting new podcasts and blogs for Outside The
• Walls soon.  We also have some “fresh” ideas we want to explore
•  Our calendar is very light February, please pray that God will fill it up. 
•  After pausing a few weeks because of the weather, we continue have the privilege of hosting a small group Bible Study in our home for the immediate future.  We are so thankful to use the home God has given us. 
•  We are praying for new contacts at the new prison as we visit our son.

  “Partner with Us”

PRAY:

• Pray for new prayer and financial support partners.  This is very much needed.
•  Pray for new opportunities at the new prison where our son was transferred.   New parking lot 0pportunities! 
•  God’s clear direction for the expansion of Outside The Walls
•  Health and safety in our travels. 
•  Planning of additional Weekend Retreats and CrossPower Home Bible Studies
•  Pray that God will fill our calendar for 2026
•  Resources for a walk in shower which is much needed. 

 SUPPORT:

We don’t want to be melodramatic or belabor the point, but we are in very serious need of additional monthly and one time support.   If God would lead you to become a part of our support family, that would be wonderful.  One time, special gifts are always greatly appreciated and God always know what we need and when we need it.  Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration and response.    Thank you, God! 

Gifts can be sent to CrossPower Ministries at PO Box 1804 Westerville, Ohio 43086.   If your gift is for Outside The Walls, just mark that on your check. You can also give online at www.crosspower.net

Share our ministry with your church leadership and ask them to reach out to us about scheduling a CrossPower meeting

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Closing Thoughts:

We’re Not Finished Yet

Although sometimes we are in complete denial, we are both in our later 70’s.   No, we do not have the physical stamina that we once had.  No, we cannot accomplish all that we used to, but we ain’t stopping.  As we said above, we want to finish strong.  The Christian life is not a sprint, it is a marathon.  We don’t know where the finish line is but we know we are closer than we used to be.  As long as God gives us strength we want to be out as often as possible preaching, teaching, sharing, modeling the power of The Cross through CrossPower and Outside The Walls.  God has blessed us so richly.  We thank Him daily for all He has done in us, through us and around us.  We remain committed to what God has called us to do.  Thank you for standing with us. 

 

 

“What We’ve Achieved Together!”

God has been so good to us! 

·        November was incredibly blessed with wonderful, powerful meetings!

·        December has been pretty “quiet” as far as scheduled meetings, but we’ve been able to visit our son in prison.

·         Bob’s cataract surgery on his right eye was a success.  He is noticing an incredible difference post-surgery.   The other eye is scheduled for January.   

·        Because of the wonderful generosity of some of you, we have been able once again to give some significant financial support to families of prisoners.  So important during the Christmas season.  Thank you!

Where we’re Headed!

Here’s what’s on the immediate horizon for CrossPower. 

·        We will be speaking at Westphal Baptist on Dec. 28

·        We be speaking January 4 at Mechanicsburg Baptist

·        We will be speaking at Fellowship 41 in Caldwell, Ohio on Jan 11

·        Bob will be speaking at a Men’s Retreat January 23 and 24

·        The prison outreach will continue.  It looks like our son will be transferred to another prison soon, which will open a new door for “Outside The Walls”

·        Bob’s second cataract surgery is scheduled for January 15

“Partner with Us”

PRAY:

·        For the transfer of our son to another prison and all of the extensive paperwork on our part to visit him and continue our ministry there.  

·        God’s clear direction for the expansion of Outside The Walls

·        Health and safety in our travels. 

·        Planning of additional Weekend Retreats and CrossPower Home Bible Studies

·        Pray that God will fill our calendar for 2026

SUPPORT:

We continue to be amazed at God’s wonderful and even miraculous provision for our financial needs.   When Bob retired, our income decreased by one half.   We knew God would supply, but we didn’t know how.  Well, God knew and He has touched so many of you to continue giving, begin giving and/or sending special gifts.   One quick example.  Just a few days ago we were faced with the family of a prisoner that had a desperate financial need.  We prayed and God gave us an amount to give – which we really couldn’t afford – but, by faith we gave.   The very same day someone (totally unexpected) came to our house with a check that took care of all we had just given!!   ONLY GOD!! 

Your end of year gift would mean so much as we enter the New Year.   Thank you in advance for asking God if you should give.     

Gifts can be sent to CrossPower Ministries at PO Box 1804 Westerville, Ohio 43086.   If your gift is for Outside The Walls, just mark that on your check.

Share our ministry with your church leadership and ask them to reach out to us about scheduling a CrossPower meeting

Some Thoughts From Bob

My heart is filled to overflowing for God’s incredible gift of salvation.   I don’t often get discouraged, but recently so many things just “hit” me.   So much of our past family traditions at Christmas time are no longer possible.  Things are so different now in our “new normal” which is never really normal.   Circumstances overwhelmed me and I found myself almost dreading the arrival of Christmas.   I know I am not alone…   But then!   God reminded me that Christmas is NOT about family gatherings, family traditions or any of the things that we often think are so important.   Many, many things have changed for us – but what Christmas is about has never, will never change.   No matter the circumstances, we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  At Christmas time I always think about Matt 1:23 “behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.”  No wonder that little baby causes such a stir and so much controversy.  That baby was God in the flesh – and God came to be with US.   I love all the rest of the story – the Angels, the Shepherd, the wise men and, of course, that young couple – but Christmas is GOD WITH US.   Regardless of mine or your family situation, financial situation or any other circumstance you and I can CELEBRATE God became flesh to redeem us, save us, forgive us, change us and prepare us to spend eternity with him.  

So, I proclaim with a grateful heart – MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Burneys!!