December 12, 2001

Busy student counts blessings
and continues to work in his ministry

Carlton Cross thought ministering to his peers as a high school senior was challenging.

However, after 13 years of serving as a youth minister in Arkansas, working between 50 and 60 hours each week at the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, being married and a father of twins, he knows these busy blessings are just a part of his calling.

In addition to his increasingly heavy load, Cross is also a full-time student at Arkansas State University. The young father of twins, Brady and Shelby, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in general studies, with an emphasis in philosophy and sociology.

At this time of the year when we traditionally count our blessings and reflect upon our thanksgivings, Cross tries to catch a breath and continue doing what he loves.

A native of Southern Arkansas, Cross was raised in Parker’s Chapel, just south of El Dorado. His parents, Kenneth and Juanita Cross, and his only sister, Jelyn Wynn, still call the historic oil town home.

Cross said he was raised in a home where faith and religion were very important. Not only did religion play a prominent role in his life, it is in his past. His grandfather served as a Methodist minister in Southern Arkansas, and Cross is named for a Methodist minister.

As a senior at Parkers Chapel High School in 1988 Cross said he was unhappy about things around him.

"I was first called to serve in high school, I had a very strong need and desire to help. There was so much peer pressure and things happening that I didn’t agree with. I prayed and this is where the Lord led me, into youth ministry."

Cross became the youth minister at Parker’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where his schoolmates, best friends and girlfriend were participants in the youth group.

"It was a very interesting and difficult time for me. I prayed much of the time for guidance, and the Lord answered all my prayers. I even had to have an adult drive the church vehicle," Cross added with a chuckle.

The young minister soon found himself providing pastoral duties at two local churches, heading up the youth ministry at Parker’s Chapel and working full time for local electrician and entrepreneur Randy Evers.

"Mr. Evers is a Godly man and was very supportive of my ministry. He continued to allow me to work for both churches whenever I needed."

Cross continued his work in Southern Arkansas and married Tracy Sweet of Junction City in November 1995. As newlyweds, they had no idea they were about to face a move north.

"We were aware that our youth director was leaving soon, so I visited our youth and filled them in on what I knew," Fred Haustein, senior pastor of FUMC in Jonesboro, said. "I asked them for their prayers and that if they knew of anyone who might be interested to let me know. I was surprised when one of our junior high students, Drew Posey, held up his hand and told me about Carlton."

While working with Ozark Mission Project, Cross met Posey, and a friendship was born.

Rev. Haustein called Cross and asked that he and Tracy come visit the church in Jonesboro. Soon after, the Bishop appointed Cross to the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, where Cross currently serves as a pastor and director of youth and college ministries at the third largest United Methodist Church in the state.

"Carlton is very deeply devoted and committed to his youth ministry. He loves people and he loves his Lord, and he continually attempts to do his best to serve both," Haustein said. "He has a sensitive heart and listens well; there is never a question that he cares for you. He’s got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.

"He’s also done a remarkable job with our youth program. We’ve got the best youth program since I’ve been here and it all flows from Carlton’s heart. That’s what makes it so good."

"I’ve changed my style since I first started in youth ministry," Carlton reflected. "I used to get up in the middle of the night and bust up parties. Kids from my youth group would try to hide their beer. I’m too old for that now, and I’ve had to change the way I work to best suit my kids.

"I’ve learned that all teenagers want is someone to love them, listen to them and someone to be their minister. Peer pressure today, especially in the Jonesboro Public School System, is absolutely phenomenal. I laugh with them, I cry with them and work with them, and let them know that I’m their minister."

Cross acknowledges many things have led to his work with youth, especially when he was offered a second chance with life.

When he was nine-months old, he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder and was taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for treatment.

"I actually died and my doctor helped bring me back to life, it was a miracle," Cross said.

His pediatrician, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders, cared for Cross until he was 18 years old. He said as he grew older and was able to comprehend the second chance at life he had been given, he decided then that he would do something to give back -- to give others a second chance.

Cross admits that when compared to his family and his pastoral duties, ASU takes second place.

"Many times ASU goes to the back burner. When people need help, they need help. You can’t tell someone who is in your office for counseling that you’ll be back later because you’ve got class," Cross said.

Cross credits his grandfather with good advice on how to prioritize school, ministry and family.

"My grandfather told me that he never wanted me to wake up as an old man and have grown children that I did not know. My family and my church come first. But this has been one of the great things about going to ASU, the fact that my professors have all been more than supportive of my work.

"This university has been very good to me. For example, on Sept. 11, one of my professors actually told me that I didn’t need to be in class, that I was needed at church. Whether or not they are religious or not, they realize the importance of my work. I am pleased to say I will be an graduate of ASU," Cross continued.

Upon graduation Cross will enter the next chapter of his busy life. He will begin working toward his Master’s Degree in Divinity at the Memphis Theological Seminary.

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