CrossWind Ministries: Jeff Berry

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Berry has been leading worship full time since the fall of 1994. In November of 1995, he founded CrossWind Ministries as the foundation to launch his worship ministry. Since that time, Jeff has led worship for hundreds of thousands of people across the country and around the world. He has released three CDs, including a live worship CD recorded at GRACE Bible Study, and has been featured on nationally released, Worship Revolution.

A major aspect of Jeff's ministry has been GRACE Bible Study. GRACE began in the fall of 1993 when a small group of students felt God's call to begin a Bible study targeted to students in Abilene. Steve Hardin, a Dallas minister, also felt this passion and moved to the area to provide leadership for this new ministry. The first GRACE was held in January of 1994 with 50 students in attendance and Jeff was invited to be the worship leader in the fall of 1994. Several years later, Steve felt the Lord leading him to another place of service and passed the direction of GRACE to Jeff and CrossWind Ministries. Today, GRACE provides a worship and teaching experience to over 1200 students each week from the area universities and high schools in Abilene.

The road to ministry for Jeff was not free from detours. While he began enjoying music at a young age, he made the decision to pursue a career in business when he headed to Baylor University. After completing a business degree at Hardin-Simmons, and a later a Master's degree at Baylor, Jeff thought he had found his niche when asked to teach in the Baylor Business School.

Jeff also found himself working as the worship leader for his church in Waco. During this season, the call that he had sensed years earlier finally began to take shape. So after much soul searching, he left the comfortable job as worship leader and teacher to find himself in the arms of faith. "When I left my job, I had no idea what I was going to do, I just knew the Lord was leading me to a life of faith and away from everything that created comfort in my life." Adds Jeff, "and as I look back, it couldn't have been a better decision. I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything!"

Having moved back to Abilene to begin work with GRACE, Jeff also began to travel and lead in worship. Soon opportunities were coming from all directions, including the chance to record a worship project. And in May of 1996, he released his first worship project, The Wind of Grace and a second worship project, Light, followed in March of 1998. Journey to the Well, a live recording from GRACE produced by Jeff, was released the following year in May of 1999 and featured Jeff as the worship leader.

Jeff continues to balance his time between directing GRACE Bible Study, traveling leading worship for youth camps, conferences, and churches, discipling individuals called to be worship leaders, and writing music. "One of the great joys of my ministry is to have the opportunity to watch students grow in their understanding of the Lord and their worship of Him. I am still very much a student in the area of leading worship, but it is and I think will be my joy to continue to pass on that which the Lord has allowed me to understand."

Conferences where Jeff has led worship:

Teen Celebration (Phil Waldrep Ministries)

Pigeon Forge, TN - 1999, 2000

Focus

Dallas, Texas - 1997, 1998, 1999

Passion

Austin, Texas - 1997, 1998

Texas Youth Evangelism Conference

Dallas, Texas - 1997

Texas Singles Conference

San Antonio, Texas - 1999, 2001

Hot Hearts

Wichita Falls, Texas - 1999

Missouri Singles Conference

Winderemere, Missouri - 2000

Falls Creek

Davis, Oklahoma - 2000, 2001

European Singles Conference

Frankfurt, Germany - 2001

Union University Spiritual Emphasis Week

Jackson, Tennessee - 1998, 1999, 2001

Palm Beach Atlantic College Christival

Palm Beach, Florida - 1998, 1999, 2000

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Renewal Week

Belton, Texas - 2000, 2001

Wayland Baptist University Renewal Week

Plainview, Texas 2000, 2001

Louisiana College Renewal Week

Pineville, Louisiana - 2001

Artists Jeff has worked with:

Michael W. Smith FFH

Point of Grace Third Day

Jaci Velasquez Geoff Moore

Plus One 4Him

Speakers Jeff has worked with:

Josh McDowell Todd Phillips

Voddie Baucham David Edwards

Louie Giglio Kirk Cameron

Gregg Matte Kyle Byrd

Matt Chandler Barry St. Clair

Wes Hamilton Lori Salierno

J.R. Vassar Kelly Green

Scott Crenshaw

For a detailed biography of Jeff Berry click here.

For information on sound and technical needs for Jeff Berry and/or the Jeff Berry Band click here.

This will answer many questions that an event planner may have regarding technical needs for an event.

For engagement guidelines and considerations, click here.

To contact Jeff via email click here.