TEBA CHURCH AND PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: Marcus Hayes at Crossroads Baptist Church
In this month’s Church and Pastor spotlight, we spoke with Marcus Hayes, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in The Woodlands, where he began pastoring five years ago at the very beginning of Covid. He and his wife have been married for 16 years and have 3 daughters. Marcus did his undergrad work at Moody Bible Institute, received a Master’s degree from SWBTS, and is presently wrapping up his doctoral studies in Twenty-First Century Leadership at Anderson University in South Carolina.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
Marcus: What we’re seeing is an awakening, a new vibrancy & culture being implemented. That culture desires intentionality in reaching multi-generational and multi-ethnic people. With Houston being the most diverse city in the nation, in many ways, this is a continuation of a desire born in the previous administration’s hearts…we have the privilege of implementing it.
A question we ask is, “How do we help the next person take their next step?” because someone once helped us take our first step. We are very intentional in assimilation and have very authentic vertical worship, resulting in weekly baptisms/salvations. It’s exciting!
What is God teaching you in this season?
Marcus: That he doesn’t need me, but he wants to keep using me. This keeps me in a posture of humility, realizing this is the Lord’s church and agenda, not mine. My job is to live a life of integrity and stay close to Jesus in a posture of worship. God will do the work. 1 Thess 5:24 rings true: he who calls you is faithful. This is like a tattoo on my soul. Also, if it’s the Lord’s will, he’ll pay the bill. I want to ensure that whatever timeframe he chooses to use me here that my time will showcase the majesty of the King and his kingdom.
What advice would you offer to other pastors or new church planters?
Marcus: It has to be about Jesus. John 15 highlights the critical importance of abiding in him. If we do this, we will bear fruit – and Jesus is after fruit. Don’t try to manufacture or manipulate fruit. Abide and let the Lord produce lasting, kingdom fruit. Pastors should be upside-down trees. What I mean is, Paul tells us in Colossians that we are seated with him in the heavenly places, which means our roots should be there, drawing our nutrients and identity from there. So, when we then produce fruit, it is hanging low to the earth for others to enjoy.
For church planters, it all comes back to calling: know that you know that you know. Know that you’re called to Jesus first and then to church planting. If you get this backwards, catastrophe is on the horizon. But if you make much of Jesus, he’ll make much of the ministry. And the gospel still works and changes lives. You remain committed to that, and you’ll see some crazy things happen!
How can the churches of the TEBA be praying for you?
Marcus: That Crossroads Baptist Church will see people the way God sees them, that we will mourn over our sin, and that we will be a place where God is welcomed without rival.
