MEET OUR NEXT SENIOR PASTOR
OF CROSSPOINT CHURCH
(COMING, SUMMER, 2022)
DANIEL MESSINA
“I CHARGE YOU IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND OF CHRIST JESUS, WHO IS TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, AND BY HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM: PREACH THE WORD; BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, AND EXHORT, WITH COMPLETE PATIENCE AND TEACHING.”
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-2 ESV
INTRODUCTION
Daniel Messina’s commitment to and passion for the Word of God is evident every time he preaches. His love of people is a close second – particularly shepherding, discipling, and growing others as they walk with Jesus. He has a contagious desire to see the transformational power of the gospel affect many lives – in the community and around the globe. Daniel considers his call as a shepherd/preacher a tremendous honor and privilege.
A native of Brazil, Daniel was raised in a strong Christian family and felt the call to ministry in his teens. Little did he know, his journey of faith would bring him to the United States by way of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas at the age of 18. He learned to speak English while earning a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies with an emphasis in theology and a minor in biblical Hebrew. His education continued with a Master of Arts in Old Testament from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he will also complete his PhD in Preaching in May 2023 (one class left).
Daniel holds significant breadth and depth of ministry experience spanning 16 years. He has served in nearly every capacity of church staff – Youth, Worship, Children, Young Adult, Family and Next Generation. He currently serves in Raleigh, NC at Crossroads Fellowship where multiple staff members told us he’s known as the “resident theologian.” He serves as Small Groups and Campus Pastor at their main Millbrook Campus with an average 2,000 in attendance each week. In his 10+ years at Crossroads, Daniel has grown their Small Group efforts substantially while guiding and directing staff in all types of family and adult ministry. His heart is to serve long-term in a community church with growth focused on depth of discipleship and preaching of the gospel.
Daniel’s family is the joy of his life - clearly visible as he talks about them. He and Ashli have been married for 15 years and have 3 delightful, exuberant boys – Gabriel (9), Joshua (8) and Joel (6). In his spare time, Daniel competes in both soccer and tennis, and enjoys fishing, especially in the Amazon.
Why Crosspoint?
In his own words, Daniel provides many reasons he is excited about the possibility of the Senior Pastor role at Crosspoint:
I appreciate the desire Crosspoint and its members have in valuing and upholding God's Word above all things.
I value Crosspoint’s longing to be a transformational gospel-changing force who seeks to make fully-devoted Christ followers who want to share the love of Christ in McKinney and beyond.
I am in full alignment with Crosspoint's views on theology and doctrine.
I believe in a plurality of elders and believe the elder model of church governance is the most healthy for the local church.
Ashli and I have complete peace about stepping into this journey with you and are confident that the Lord has led us to this moment.
I believe my personal gifts and talents are suitable for the Senior Pastor role at Crosspoint. I am confident that the past 16 years of full time ministry have prepared me to lead Crosspoint to continue to carry on its vision and mission forward.
Daniel’s Sermons
“Maundy Thursday”
April/14/2022
“Advent Peace”
December/19/2021
“Reach21”
July/4/2021
“The Call of Jeremiah"
August/16/2020
“The Servant Who Came to Die And To Save You”
August/9/2020
“Life and Death”
March/8/2020
“Living By the Spirit”
January/20/2019
“Theology and Doctrine”
August/20/2017
Endorsements
“I honestly can't say enough good things about Daniel & Ashli and their boys. Daniel's deep love for Christ and his desire to accurately exposit scripture is unmatched in my 30 year experience in ministry.”
-Executive Pastor
“Daniel is a top tier leader and trusted pastor. He brings a unique world vision / missional experience, plus an ability to speak into contemporary issues with Biblical clarity. He has a passion for the Gospel, for people, and for God's Word.”
-Care & Counseling Pastor
“I think Daniel would be a valuable asset to any team he is part of. He is ready to take on his next role of leadership. I have often said he needs to be a senior pastor and I am confident he will be one. He is an excellent learner and has a desire to further himself as a leader. He is finishing up his PHD program. I believe a church would be blessed to have Daniel as their pastor.”
-Discipleship and Men’s Pastor
Pastor Search Committee’s Thoughts
Throughout the search process, the Pastor Search Committee (PSC) revisited the qualities Crosspoint members noted as important for our next Senior Pastor through our church-wide survey last fall – someone who is a teacher, shepherd, bold, personable and a true leader. The PSC spent countless hours in prayerful consideration and unanimously agreed to recommend Daniel Messina as our Senior Pastor candidate. Daniel truly embodies these qualities.
Finding a leader firmly rooted in biblical understanding was top priority. Daniel has both the educational background and ministerial experience to not only stand firm in the faith, but also explain spiritual tenants in a clear and effective manner. Through authorship of his book, his blog, and his podcast, Daniel acknowledges the difficult cultural situations facing each of us daily and provides an example of how to deliver a loving response that ultimately points back to God’s unfailing truth. He also displays wisdom and humility in having a few elders and pastors review each article before it is posted.
The core of Daniel’s conviction in having these cultural conversations comes from his belief that the local church should be “a place of open and robust Scriptural dialogue, where the people of God are free to thrive and able to respond to the culture of where they live.” This is held in tandem with his tremendous focus on preaching and sharing the gospel.
Crosspoint is a distinctive body with members from all life stages and various backgrounds where each of us come together to worship God and grow as a community of Christ followers. Daniel has a proven ability to create a thriving environment that draws diverse groups of people into deep discipleship. Through the teaching of scripture and thoughtful instruction, his leadership equips the church to encourage fellow brothers and sisters in Christ on how to navigate life on earth, understand the times, and handle the challenging issues of today.
Daniel has served at his current church for more than 10 years. Several references confirmed what is immediately obvious when you meet him face to face – Daniel has an extremely authentic and relational personality. Some direct quotes include:
“Daniel does not want to become a "Celebrity Pastor" but a pastor that anyone can approach at any time for comfort, care, or accountability. Daniel is the real deal.”
“Daniel and Ashli have people over at their house all the time for small groups, crisis needs, or just game night.”
At every juncture, we’ve received confirmation that Daniel is well-equipped to serve as our Senior Pastor and will be a leader that shepherds Crosspoint for many years to come.
Key Dates
Thursday May 12, 2022 at 6:30pm - Pastor Search Committee (PSC)
Open Town Hall for individuals to ask the entire PSC questions regarding the process and the recommended Senior Pastor candidate.
Childcare, birth to pre-k, will be provided from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and we ask that you register here.
Town Hall video replay
Saturday May 21, 2022 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm - Daniel Messina Q&A in the Sanctuary
Come and join Mitchell McAnally and Tim Brinkman as they ask Daniel questions submitted by members of Crosspoint.
Church members must submit their questions by clicking on the button below. Questions must be submitted by 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 18th. These questions will not be shared with Daniel before the Q&A discussion, but will allow the PSC members to group common questions together to better facilitate the discussion with Daniel.
Childcare will be provided from 3:30pm to 5:30pm and we ask that you register here.
If you have additional questions that were not answered during either the PSC Town Hall or the Q&A with Daniel, you will have an additional opportunity in a more casual setting during the Come and Go dinner at 5:30pm.
Q & A video replay
Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm - Come and Go Dinner with the Messina Family in the Children’s Building
This will be a casual setting where you will have an opportunity to meet Daniel and his family over a meal.
Dinner will be provided and we ask that you register here to ensure we provide enough food for the event.
Sunday May 22, 2022 - AM Worship: Daniel Messina Preaches in View of a Call, Formal Congregational Vote to follow
Voting ballots will be distributed at the beginning of service.
All ballots will need to be submitted at the end of service in one of the ballot boxes that will be placed at each exit door of the sanctuary.
At 12:00pm, the results of the verified ballots will be presented to the Church.
Our bylaws require a minimum of an 85% “Yes” vote from the members present to officially extend the call to Daniel to become our Senior Pastor.
Only covenant members present in person will be able to cast one ballot.
Contact Information
if you have any question or concerns before the Sunday, May 22nd Church vote, please reach out to any of the PSC members while at Church.
Mitchell McAnally, Chair
Tim Brinkman, Vice-Chair
Lindsey Deitch
Jeanette Edgar
Ross Gillispie
Janie Pena
Kyle Wilson
Derek Baker, alternate
Jeremy Schiewe, alternate