A Little History

In 2002 God called our family of six to the nation of Romania. In 2003 we packed up and moved across the world into unfamiliar territory. We dreamed of launching the first Master’s Commission (an intense discipleship program) in the nation of Romania. But God had different plans for that time period.

For three years we lived and advanced God’s kingdom there, but never felt released to actually launch Master’s Commission. The body of Christ was encouraged and strengthened, a church was born, and many, many people came to know the Lord. And we humbly say we were His voice, hands, and feet to those around us.

Then to our surprise God called us back home to work as Master’s Commission directors and Outreach Pastors for Crossroads Church in Lafayette, LA. For the past five years we have worked faithfully, discipling and training young people to follow Christ and His call upon their lives. We have discipled over 101 men and women through XMC. Presently, twenty five of them are in full time ministry right here in the States and five of them are serving overseas with four more preparing to be full time overseas missionaries within the year. And many more or weekly serving in their local church.

During these years we have continued to work with the Pastors and people of Romania. Traveling regularly individually and with teams to evangelize the nation and encourage and strengthen the church.

Last year, however, God begin to stir within our hearts once again. “It is time! Time to expand the work. Time to have bigger vision. Time to move. ” Time to re-activate Crosstraining International (CTI). So last year, we obeyed and did just that. One of the first things we did was launch a discipleship program in the nation of Romania - Master’s Commission Romania (MCR). What God had spoken so long ago became a reality!

Starting with seven students (4 Romanian national students and 3 American student leaders), Crosstraining International is making an impact on the nation of Romania in so many ways.

Right now we are also in the praying and preparation stages of sending missionaries to Uganda, Germany, and Kenya. Our goal – God willing- is to pioneer discipleship programs in these nations as well.

Please pray about this with us. Pray that we would be sensitive to God’s leading and direction, not running ahead or behind Him.

We are wide open to whatever God wants us to do “practically” in these countries. But we know we are called to reach the nations, to teach people to obey the Word of God, to disciple men, women, and children, to baptize them.

We know discipleship ministries are effective in transforming nations because transformed people will transform their world to the glory of God.

God is a big God with big dreams for His people!!! And the dream He has given us is bigger than ever!

In Him- Shawn and Nichole Marcell