Alistair Begg on Reaching the Next Generation with the Gospel

Dear Friend,

A year ago, I had just returned from Sydney, Australia, where I had enjoyed the privilege of speaking for the Anglicans at their CMS Summer School. My thoughts have been very much there, as I know there are thousands presently attending the 2026 event. They have gathered in the Blue Mountains, known for sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and charming towns like Katoomba, to hear from God’s Word and to learn of the work of mission throughout the world. I could easily have succumbed to nostalgia, were it not for the fact that I was spending the opening days of this new year in Louisville, Kentucky.

As I set out on the afternoon of January 1 to drive from my home, I found myself bemoaning the absence of rail travel. Surely I am not alone in wishing it were possible to take a high-speed train from Cleveland to Louisville with quick stops in Columbus and Cincinnati. The journey was uneventful and provided me time to anticipate the privilege and responsibility that was before me.

You may by now be wondering why I was making this trip.

Cross Con is a conference primarily designed for 18-to-25-year-olds and their leaders. The emphasis is on the Gospel, the local church, and God’s heart for the nations. In the publicity for the event, young people are urged to come not to make their lives easy but to make them count. There are a number of underlying convictions: that everyone has a role in the Great Commission, that the years from 18 to 25 are trajectory-setting, and that we are encouraging one other to: “Make your life count” and “Make His Name known.”

I had been asked to share a breakout session with my friend Jonathan Carswell (CEO of 10ofThose, the publishing house that recently released our book The Man on the Middle Cross). Our discussion topic was “How to tell people about Jesus without sounding like an idiot.” I anticipated that there might be a couple hundred students in attendance. I was wrong. The Marriott ballroom seated one thousand—and every seat was taken! The young people asked questions that were pointed and thoughtful and showed how serious they were about witnessing.

In the evening, I had the joyful challenge of speaking on my assigned topic: “Entreating the Extravagant Generosity of God.” The large space, commonly used for trade shows, like selling tractors or RVs, was not particularly suited to preaching. Hearing an echo is always off-putting. However, any such concerns were quickly ignored as I recognized the serious listening on the part of the 12,000 (yes, 12,000!) young people in the crowd. Before I left, I was asked to record a video clip encouraging others to consider Cross Con ’27, which will be held in St. Louis, where there is a much larger venue. You see, the ’26 event sold out, and so a part two, involving another several thousand students, is taking place as I write.

Much is being written about the growing interest in religion, faith, and spiritual matters by the younger generation. If Cross Con is any indication of that, then we must be quick to pray that God will move in a mighty way and then to encourage young people to take up the challenge to “Make their lives count.” Here at Truth For Life, we are keen to invest our resources to see many of this generation become committed followers of the Lord Jesus. Your partnership is making it possible for us to expect great things from God and to attempt great things for God.

With sincere thanks for your generosity and with my love in the Lord Jesus,

Alistair