Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Fast Five With Cross Pointe

1. Tell us how the ministry of Cross Pointe began.

ANSWERED BY BILL PITTS    Cross Pointe started like many Southern Gospel groups. We started in Church. Singing specials in Church is the foundation of many traveling groups. We began to be asked to sing at special events outside the Church and after 8 years, and five CD projects later, we are still singing at venues we never thought would be possible.

2. Share your Testimony?

ANSWERED BY JONI TOWNSEND    My neighbor started taking my brother and I to church along with her kids.  The church was vibrant and the youth group was fun.  At first I only went for the social aspect, but it didn’t take long to realize there was more to it than I originally thought.   God revealed Himself to me through excellent preaching, teaching and loving people who lived what they believed.  I was saved on a Wednesday evening at youth group at the age of 15.

My life has held many twists, turns and the unexpected, and although I have not always been faithful to God, He has been so faithful to me.  He has blessed me with 4 great kids, a grandbaby on the way, a wonderful husband and ministry partner and blessings more than I ever thought or imagined.   I am blessed that He sought me out to be a part of Cross Pointe.   I just want to sing His praises and be a beacon that points others to Him.

ANSWERED BY DEBBIE WRIGHT  I felt the call on my life to sing Christian music when I was in high school. I was at a Andre’ Crouch concert with my mother and I told her half way through the concert, I want to do that. I could sense the presence of God on my life like it was yesterday. It was then I committed my life to Christ.

ANSWERED BY BILL PITTS   At the age of 8 years old I gave my life to Christ. Though I was very young I had been convicted for over 1 year. I grew up in a Church that had four services during the week with a strong preaching and singing ministry. I was under the gospel continually. At 8 years old I stole a little black marble from a broken little toy at a store. I was so convicted I could not play with it. I finally told my mom. She walked to the store with me and I had to hand the marble to a policeman. That one act spoke to my heart and the next worship service I knelt at the altar and asked Christ into my heart. God then called me to preach at the age of 14.

3. Tell us a funny “road story.’

ANSWERED BY DEBBIE WRIGHT   We were traveling to Nashville to sing, just going down the highway about 65 mph when all of sudden from the back of the van we heard “stop the car, stop the car, stop the car.”  We had to slowly pull over to the side and one of our singers got out and walked up and down the freeway ramp trying to relieve a leg cramp. We have never taken a trip to Nashville since that one of us has not shouted from the back, “stop the car.”

4. What are some things that you guys have accomplished during your years in ministry?

ANSWERED BY DEBBIE WRIGHT

Cross Pointe has recorded 5 CD’s

Cross Pointe has sung on live Television several times.

Cross Pointe sang the National Anthem for the Cleveland Indians/Chicago White Sox game on September 23^rd, 2016 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cross Pointe has performed on 3 concept music videos.

Cross Pointe won a Bronze Telly Award for  “All My Tears” concept music video

5. You have a new radio single. Tell us all about this “powerful” song. Expound on God using the song in concerts.

ANSWERED BY JONI TOWNSEND     “Angels” is our new radio single.  It was written by Jay DeMarcus of “Rascal Flatts”.  I think it is a powerful song because people can relate to knowing someone who has been an “angel” in their life.  For me, it’s my step-dad.  He has shown me grace and mercy when I probably did not deserve it.  He is a man of few words, but he has taught me so much by example.   He has always “had my back”.  Even though I didn’t write it, the first verse of the song is all about him.

After concerts or listening to the CD, people have told us they know someone just like that.  I believe that many have been that “unaware angel.”

You can find us and our music at CrossPointeMusic.com

Congratulations to Cross Pointe!

Cross Pointe 

Congratulations to our friends Cross Pointe. They recently sang the National Anthem at the Cleveland Indians vs Chicago Whitesox game at Progressive Field.

New Music and Video from “Cross Pointe”

Have you seen the new concept video by Cross Pointe?

“When the Hammer Fell”

Check it out below:

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Cross Pointe Recruits New Member

Cross Pointe Recruits New Member

As the new year starts, it marks a new beginning for Cross Pointe Music group. On January 1st, Conda Barlow had to make the difficult decision because of her health to stop traveling with Cross Pointe. After much prayer on her part, she felt it to be necessary to resign from the group. After singing with her for almost 7 years, Cross Pointe will miss her being part of the ministry team. God then put Cross Pointe in the path of Joni Townsend. Joni Townsend, Debbie Wright, and Bill Pitts will begin to practice for 2 1/2 months on Cross Pointe’s new project that will be filled with new and exciting songs! Cross Pointe will be going into the Chapel Valley Studios in Tennessee this spring. They are looking forward to this new sound that will be developing in the months to come. They are already heavily booked starting in April 2016. They want to thank Conda for her dedication that paved the way for developing a strong ministry for the group. Cross Pointe also wants to thank Joni for answering God’s call to this ministry. Joni has been influenced by the tremendous talent in her church and her family. Feeling the call to music ministry as a teen, music has been a life-long passion. She has been part of many ministries, bands, praise teams and performed as a solo artist. Her polished harmonies lend a southern, bluesy sound that fits perfectly with Cross Pointe and with the Southern Gospel genre. Joni resides in Circleville, Ohio and is married to David Townsend and they have four beautiful children (BrieAnn, Ryan, Bethany and Rachel). Joni loves to share her testimony as well as sing about the Lord and His amazing grace. For booking info: wpitts@columbus.rr.com

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Bill Pitts of Cross Pointe Signs Songwriter Contract with Jarman Kids Music, BMI

Bill Pitts

(Lancaster, OH)  Rev. Bill Pitts of the popular trio, Cross Pointe, recently signed with Jarman Kids Music, BMI, as a new songwriter for the company. Three of his songs have been signed to a single song agreement. Bill is a gifted writer, singer, and Pastor of Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster, OH. Tony Jarman of Jarman Kids Music notes, “I am pleased to have Bill join the family, here. Bill Pitts gave his life to Christ at the age of 8 years old. He answered the call to preach the Gospel at age 14.” Bill has been singing since he can remember. He sang tenor in his four-part harmony family quartet until he started traveling at the age of 14 with The Apostles Quartet, and then with the Timesmen Trio. He stays active and enjoys challenges, music, reading, golf, history, tennis, and family. Bill has also written for the trio. He is married to Debbie Pitts and they have three adult children. For more info on Rev. Bill Pitts and Cross Point www.crosspointemusic.com

Cross Pointe Scores a Bronze Telly Award in 35th Annual Honors

(Lancaster, OH) Cross Pointe, Southern Gospel Music group based out of Lancaster, Ohio, was recently named the Bronze winner in the 35th Annual Telly Awards for their piece titled “All My Tears” Music Video. With nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, the group says they are truly honored. The trio consists of Bill Pitts, Conda Barlow, and Debbie Wright. They originate out of The Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church where Bill pastors. Their mission is to reach as many people as they can with songs of hope and encouragement. The trio has released 4 national songs in the past 24 months. Their latest nationally released single, “All My Tears,” was written by country artist Julie Miller. John Darin Rowsey of Watts, Rowsey, and Bean produced this latest project, “Roots: Old and New” and they’ve realized much success with charting on the Southern Gospel Times fan voted top 40 with numerous #1’s. Their song, “Time After Time,” ended as Southern Gospel Times #21 for the Song of the Year for 2013. For a free press kit contact: Evie@EHA-Nashville.com, 615-856-0910 or Bill Pitts: 740-438-7750. Visit their website: http://www.crosspointemusic.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cross-Pointe/137141936339614?ref=br_tf

Gospel Music Today For June 2nd On SGNScoops.com

Bill Lindsay, grandson of legendary composer Stuart Hamblen, is the guest on Gospel Music Today for the week of June 1. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates, the Feature Group is Emmaus Road Quartet, and Jean reviews a new recording by Cross Pointe. An article entitled “Married to the Music” is the subject of this week’s Singing News Notes. Cross Pointe sings, and the show includes exclusive video of The Goulds, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras at The Owasso Gospel Opry, in Owasso, OK, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of The Men of Music at the Deep South Quartet Convention, in Springfield, MO.

Cross Pointe’s Music Video to Broadcast Nationally Via Harmony Road Television

( Lancaster , OH ) The talented trio, Cross Pointe, is experiencing great success with their video, “All My Tears.” The Executive Producer of Harmony Road Television has made the announcement that the video will broadcast at the conclusion of their Saturday, 8:30pm (ET) program, this week. The show has over 30 affiliate stations across the U.S. and it will be broadcast on NRB following American Gospel Onstage on DIRECTV channel 378. There is a potential audience of over 40 million homes. Bill Pitts of Cross Pointe notes, “Never did we anticipate the overwhelming potential of the reach of this video on that cold Saturday morning when we were shooting this video. To God be the glory!” To see it on youtube, go to www.crosspointemusic.com It will also be streaming live at www.nrbnetwork.tv. For a Cross Pointe press kit, contact: Evie@EHA-Nashville.com or contact The Lutz Agency at 740-409-1060 .

Cross Pointe – All My Tears – This Weeks Video On SGNScoops.com

Find Out More About Cross Pointe Here

Gospel Music Today On SGNScoops.com

Bill Lindsay, the grandson of composer Stuart Hamblen, is the guest on Gospel Music Today for the week of February 16. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates, the Feature Group is Emmaus Road Quartet, and Jean reviews a new recording by Cross Pointe. An article entitled “Married to the Music” is the subject of this week’s Singing News Notes. Cross Pointe sings in a brand new music video, and the show includes exclusive video of The Goulds, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras at The Owasso Gospel Opry, in Owasso, OK, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of The Men of Music.