Today we’d like to introduce you to Antwain Braggs.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Native of Farmerville, La. who set out on a journey with instructions from the Lord that He would prosper me. My wife, kids, and I left Farmerville in an ’81 model Monte Carlo with a promise of prosperity. We only knew two people in the DFW area and they invited us to live with them until we could get on our feet. So we moved, starting out with only temporary jobs, but in about two months we had jobs and our own place. Attending Transvisions International, Bishop Robert Blake began my first installment of training for what God destined me to do. Initially, I only saw myself as a preacher. Bishop was training me in public but God was training me in private by digesting and ingesting the Bible.
After completion of my training, I began to visit The Potter’s House mainly on Wednesdays. But some Sunday mornings I would sneak over to hear Bishop Jakes, specifically when He was teaching He-Motions. It was this teaching that led to healing in my marriage. On Sunday, October 24, 2004, I was licensed under Transvisions International Ministry. On October 31, 2004, I joined The Potter’s House and God spoke to me and He said, “Do you want to be an associate pastor or do you want to be developed?” I chose development which was a challenge to my pastor at that current time.
On October 24, 2006, I entered a new season of training at the Potter’s House, laying down the license I currently had obtained, to be developed further. It would be 3 ½ years of ministerial training and preparation before I would be licensed in 2009. In 2010, I was recommended to become an Elder and that led to another two years of training and preparation. In 2012, this training was completed and following this we went into 40 days of fasting and prayer. On coming out of the fast and just before my ordination God dealt with my heart. In me, He conceived vision but it would not yet be birthed. I began to develop and cultivate, even though I had no idea what was being cultivated.
Within me, God cultivated the preacher, leader, and teacher and I began to recognize the gifts within me. After this, I was invited to speak at a youth/young adult conference called Crossover. This is where God began to show me my ministry and showed me the parallel between Moses and Joshua. But I put it down from 2010-2012 and headed up the youth ministry of The Potter’s House North where I developed teams and helped to raise up young adults. This role in my life ended up prepping me for ministry that God had shown me that was in my core, Crossover International. After 40 days of Fasting and Prayer, it unlocked the Revivalist in me.
On coming out of this, the question was “How can we celebrate with the people that were on the fast?” From this fast, PWR (Prayer Warrior’s Revival) was birthed. It spiraled into a whole new aspect of Crossover. We realized in order to create an atmosphere to touch the hearts of young people we had to touch the hearts of the parents. We started hosting revivals all over DFW, Louisiana, and in Mississippi. It sparked like wildfire! People were talking about it and it was spreading across social media sites. Then God said, “Give it to me.” And I laid it down again, in obedience, like Abraham laid down Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Over the next months, I would be a youth director, doing the exact same thing, operating apostolically and did not even know it.
In 2014, God called me to pull it off the shelf again. I picked it up and began to work the vision again and in this season it became a great asset to me personally. There was a level of reciprocity doing what God had called me to do that I could not get anywhere else. It was then that it was confirmed over my life that everything I had been doing was preparation for my purpose. I had already been speaking to and ministering to other nations within the US and God opened the doors and sent me to other nations. Even though it had all been in embryonic stages, He confirmed that if I was faithful over the few he would make me ruler over many.
God opened doors and during this time I traveled to South Africa. I wrote my first book in 2016 entitled “He Hid Me to Heal Me” and it has also traveled the globe. In 2017, I began travels to the UK. God validated the international kingdom ministry within me. I started to teach what I know and reproduce who I was. I chose to flow apostolically. I accepted the responsibility to mentor leaders and ignite those whose fire had been quenched. From this point forward I will be cultivating the apostolic while pursuing the heart of God.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not. I needed a point of reference to what God was calling me to. I sat under many incredible leaders but I needed someone close to me to take me under their tutelage but God did not give me this immediately. I found it was because He wanted me to become a disciple and not a dependent. He began to break off many of the challenges that stemmed from being molested, being fatherless, having addictions and He taught me how to be a son before embracing sonship.
I don’t know if I have gotten to the place where challenges do not cause me to pause but I trust my heavenly Father even in the challenge…challenges in my marriage, challenges due to being fatherless, relationship challenges, parenting challenges…and I learned that my challenges do not define me. God does. He has been and is with me every step of the way. He is a good, good Father.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Crossover International Ministries, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our theme for Crossover International is “Mind of a Servant, Heart of a Worshipper”. This is always at the forefront of our minds and everything we do. The question we come to answer is “Who can help me change?” We are known for pointing people to the real source of change and that is the Holy Spirit.
We are also known for getting out of the way and allowing the Holy Spirit liberty to deal with loss, addiction, pathologies, jobs, and deaths. There are many methods that the Holy Spirit works through. They may be links and connections to professionals but ultimately, whatever the method, it is still the Lord’s doing.
Many say that we ignite the fire in individuals… their inner fortitude to do what they are called to do. Hope is given. Scripture says that “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” To help build hearts we must build hope and hope comes from God. He is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
My wife, Sherrie Braggs, is my #1 supporter, motivator, and contributor emotionally, financially, and spiritually. She stands beside me in challenges and strains. Sometimes these strains are brought home and cause challenges in family, ministry, and individually and she has stood by my side through all of that. Tenacity cannot be counted out with us. We have a pitbull mentality. Everything we picked up spiritually we, ourselves, leaned into God and each other and decided to quit is not an option. Looking to my side and knowing the woman who has flanked my side is for me is incredible. She has never changed and has proven to be solid in my life.
The man who is my spiritual father, Bishop TD Jakes, has by far played a major role in my development as an individual and as a leader. He has exemplified tenacity, courage, and compassion. His quote and message, “You’ll win if you don’t quit!” has spoken volumes into my life. I have never seen anyone else model these characteristics in the way that he has. God continues to take him from faith to faith and glory and glory. He is a great inspiration and has been instrumental in changing the trajectory of my life through the wisdom and knowledge he has imparted.
Another up close and personal mentor, Elder Kenny Randle, has been a huge asset in my life individually and in my marriage. He has been there for me personally to impart, to correct, and to guide. He has been a great model in my life.
The other person has been my mom, Merline Braggs. My mother has always been there for me. Growing up I would get into fights and she would get on me but she is always in my corner. Everyone knows that “she will fight for her kids.” She raised us by herself and continued to be beside me as I launched into ministry. Even though she is not in ministry she is with me. What a delight! I am also grateful because I married a woman that is just like my mom…who has been, and is always, there for me. I have had many instructors but few fathers. Without people going before me, and with me, over the years I would not be who I am or shall become.
Contact Info:
- Address: 165162 Irving, Texas 75016
- Website: www.agbraggsministries.com
- Phone: 903-283-6410
- Email: virgie.lacey@agbraggsministries.com (Admin email)
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