The Teacher Who Wouldn’t Bow – Heartwarming and True
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The Teacher Who Wouldn’t Bow – Heartwarming and True
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Don’t miss this! In a season when many people watch made-up stories with impossibly happy endings, this true story about someone you have prayed for will give you chills and make you cry. Scroll down to watch the stirring video. This true story is amazing. Please let us know if you agree!
I’m so thankful a Loudoun County teacher was suspended from his job because he spoke the truth.
Wait. That sounds crazy! Yes. I’m thankful that a physical education teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) chose to be a Daniel and tell the leftist school board that he wouldn’t bow to their radical transgender policy (Policy 8040).
That person was Tanner Cross. And he chose to serve God, not a woke and morally broke school board.
“I love all my students, but I cannot call a boy a girl and a girl a boy.” Tanner’s words, spoken courageously and graciously, resulted not only in his being suspended but being banned from all school property and events. LCPS demanded that he lie to his students. He refused. So, they tried to make an example of him.
And it’s where my journey with the Cross family began. When I saw the clip of Tanner speaking so boldly and with such moral clarity, I wanted to know who this public school teacher was. (My wife taught in both public and private schools for thirteen years.) I started looking online — okay I kinda Facebook-stalked him — until I found Tanner and Angela Cross. I wanted to know more about this couple and within days learned not only of their present struggle with a school-board-gone-wild, but their ten-year-long struggle to be able to have children.
Their pain caught my attention.
Every post I read convinced me that these two precious people who love Jesus were destined to be parents, even if nature had denied them such a gift. A child, somewhere, needed them as mom and dad. When I learned of how they experienced repeated heartbreaks following the denial of adoption through foster care because of their color (they’re white and the children were brown), righteous anger rose within me. I’m from a family of 15, where we’re white, black, mixed, Native American, Vietnamese, able and disabled. No child should ever be denied a home because the parents don’t somehow “match” the child. That’s racism. What moral law exists that says you have to be the same color to love someone?
My wife Bethany and I had just created the Henry & Andrea Bomberger Adopted and Loved Fund, to honor the incredible legacy of faith and love of my late father and mother (who is still alive and unleashing purpose in others). They adopted 10 of their 13 kids; I was the first one. Bethany and I are adoptive parents too. It’s why our heart has been to help others experience the transformative power of such an act of compassion, sacrifice, and justice. As I watched Tanner’s news interviews and read more from the couple’s social media posts, I knew they had to be the first recipients of our organization’s adoption fund for Christian families.
I’m thankful for a God who always hears our cries. An adoptee who was once rescued from the violence of abortion was able to play a small role in the miracle God had been orchestrating for their lives.
And it all started with courage. Had Tanner chosen not to speak from his heart, had he chosen not to stand up for his students and for the truth, I never would have heard of him. How many times do we miss out on a miracle because we shy away from doing the hard things?
Tanner had no idea what would happen as a result of his obedience to his faith and his conscience. God did. Tanner had no idea that an amazing organization — Alliance Defending Freedom — would defend him against a school administration that wanted to punish and silence him. He had no idea that his voice would do more than dispel the lies of gender confusion, but it would break ten years of despair.
In the natural and supernatural, adoption transforms brokenness into breakthrough.
That healing has a name. It’s Josiah. That precious baby boy was born earlier this year. His birthparents selflessly chose the Crosses to be the parents God meant for Tanner and Angela to be. We captured their story-beyond-the-headlines. I promise. This video will make you cry. It’s one of what I hope to be thousands of Adopted and Loved stories.
Tanner Cross’ story is a powerful reminder that courage doesn’t need a crowd — only someone with conviction.
Check out Ryan Bomberger, adoptedandloved.com and The Radiance Foundation! They do great work. Ryan has his own amazing story.
Originally published at The Christian Post. Photo credit: adoptedandloved.com.
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Thanks for sharing this love story of God’s care and blessings for both Josiah & Tanners! Praise Jesus!!
I too was touched by this family. I believe God handpicked this couple to adopt this precious child. They will train him as Godly parents and steer him on the path that God has ordained. I believe God has a powerful plan for this child. Thank you Father for your bountiful blessings for this family.
This is a beautiful Love story of God’s love for us All. Thank you for sharing this. I just watched the movie ..”A Life worth Living” , on Pure Flix ..similiar story line. I was touched by this Family.
Thank you and God bless you. I was adopted but my adopted family was very tumultuous. I loved hearing your testimony. Thanks again.
You bet!!! Always stand for the truth and don’t give in!
What a wonderful story of standing strong for Jesus at any cost. God has blessed and honored theCrosses in a perfect way that could not have happened if Tanner and Angela had not taken the stand they did. Fear not !!! God is with us in all His power and glory !!! Let’s repeat this awesome example of following Jesus wherever He leads us. The rewards of Faith are GREAT. They are available to all believers. Glory to God in the highest!!😃
Thank you Father God you are awesome!!!
Praises to God who formed us male and female and created families to be a healthy place to grow and mature.
It has been my prayer for some time that God would raise up bold, courageous Christians who would stand for truth and justice in our society. He continues to answer that prayer. I am blessed to see people like this being blessed.
Wow!!! What an awesome God!!!
What a wonderful couple!!!
What a story of hope!!!
Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. God bless you both and your little boy. God is so good. He heard you cry and he answered.
Wonderful, truly wonderful!
We serve a good and loving God!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story full of hope, promise, and mostly God. What a wonderful family they are.
Such a lovely story and example! Praise the Lord! Praise God for Tanner’s excellent example and clear stand for Jesus. Thank you Lord that this lovely couple could at last adopt such a beautiful baby.
Praise God for Tanner and that he never backed down, and all of the good that came out of all this. I am so happy re the results. Thank you dear Lord God.
Thank you Father, for the courage of this man and his wife. I pray you would raise up teachers and pastors to courageously stand for righteousness and your word that will change our nation and bring others to your kingdom!
🩷. i love the fact that the adverse events led this couple to their answered prayer; however, i am not sure what i would have done in this teacher’s shoes. i think it was great that in the video testimony the teacher spoke regarding his faith, feelings, and decision to not support transgenderism (in general) [my emphasis] as a teacher at his school as he felt it was a lie to children and a sin against God. i raised my children not to believe in Santa despite flak from family and friends because i refused to lie to my own children even “just for holiday fun” so i do have strong convictions due to my faith in God, about lies. But had this siruation involved me, and had it been a specific child (or adult) that came to me personally asking to be addressed as an opposite gender and pronoun, that might have been a much more difficult decision for me personally, out of respect to the gender confused person. I feel as Christians we are not supposed to be rude, especially to a child or, or throw judgmental stones at anyone, especially an unbeliever. God has his laws and rules for HIS people, but yet He still loves and woos those on the outside with His tender Creator love and care, the bible says “his judgments are in ALL” the earth, yet it says again He rains on the just and the unjust, so even heathen idolators and sinners receive God’s unconditional Creator’s care from the earth. God created mankind with a FREE WILL. Because He rains on tge just and the unjust, i feel it is my obligation as His child, to show this same unconditional care and respect. So if someone asks me to acknowledge them as the opposite sex, i might use it as an opportunity to first show respect and unconditional love to them by agreeing to their request, yet in honesty, while also first explaining in love, in the kindest way possible, that i would be doing it reluctantly, because i while i respect their GOD GIVEN free will to openly identify as the opposite sex, I have chosen with MY God given FREE WILL, to study the bible and honor the one and only true God, the God of Israel, who in His word states clearly he created only male and female. So my faith in God and his word affects my ability to believe anything otherwise with a good conscience because i believe the God who created the universe and everything in it including humanity, does not play games with His word or make mistakes, but that He has taught us in His word, that we have a spiritual enemy who comes to deceive humanity on various spiritual and physical levels and issues that oppose God, His laws, and His word. So i would respectfully state that I accept that they have made a free will decision to identify as the opposite sex and I will refer to them as such at their request, to show them love and respect, as i believe God calls me to show love and respect to all, but that i honestly believe they are deceived, and that i will be praying for God to help them to find HIM as Creator God and also as the WORD who from the beginning was with God and was God, who is ALL Light, there is NO darkness in Him. He doesnt just TELL the truth HE IS the TRUTH, the ONLY truth, the ONLY LIGHT, and the ONLY way of salvation, and everything opposed to his laws and His word, is darkness and lies, yet He is merciful and wanting all people to find Him as the only totally pure LIGHT, WAY, and TRUTH and to then walk in His love and light. (1 John 1:5-10. I dont see where scripture allows us to disrespect or accuse anyone. if being referred to as tge opposite gender is something someone truly believes and has identified with, i feel the mandate of Christ is to unconditionally show love and respect to them regardless of their beliefs, yet to share the truth of the Gospel in In love. There are people i know and also work with who are transgender and this is the way i live my faith out toward them, in love, not affirming their chosen belief, yet respecting their God given free will to believe it, yet being clear that though i believe it is a lie, yet i love and respect them as a fellow imperfect human being, and in no way do i consider myself better than them or any other human being despite tgat our beliefs may differ.
case in point: did Jesus accuse or reject Cesar for His beliefs in Roman dieties? Did Jesus refuse or accuse any tax collector or harlot? He did not affirm sin yet He showed love and respect to all and taught us not to judge unless we ourselves are without sin. The only people Jesus openly had a beef with were the Phairsees who could not find THAT type nonjudgmental Godly love and mercy in their heart or in the scriptures they taught and claimed to believe; therefore THEY were guilty of LYING against God, and portraying God as less than TRUE Light and TRUE Love and mercy. They chose to only focus on God’s judgments. Focusing on all grace or all judgments are equally wrong. Focus on the word: God’s judgments are in ALL the earth. Let God be the judge. We are not called to judge we are called to love, to recognize that we ourselves are imperfect. Even Jesus said he did not come to judge but to SAVE. John 12:47
“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Lastly, Jesus said that if I be lifted up I will draw ALL men unto ME. (if you truly want to draq peoole to Jesus, Lift up THAT Jesus, that loving kind, non judgmental saving Jesus!) Be more mindful of our own human imperfections and sins instead of others, and let the Holy Spirit do HIS JOB of convincing the world of their sin. tgrowing stones and disrespecting people wont save them and put us in the phairsee category..Jesus said our righteousness woukd have to exceed theirs.
Victoria, while I agree that we are to respect and show love to all people, I also believe that you do that best by speaking the truth in love. That is possible, because Yeshua gave us that example. He treated the accused adulterous woman with respect, dealing far more harshly with her accusers than with her – but He also told her to go and sin no more. You almost sound more like you are trying to convince yourself of your stance, than in convincing others. I understand the struggle. I respect your decision to not lie to your children about Santa – I got a lot of heat about that decision with the parents of my Kindergarten students and grandchildren. I know the LORD will help you navigate this mine field and give you the ability to honor Him by speaking truth and not bowing to some woke agenda, or compromising His truth – and yet express love. It is the truth that sets us free!
you didnt read in full or carefully Mary Beth i did clearly state that i speak the truth respectfully in love.
The Church has too long tolerated evil under the guise of Christian love and acceptance. That is how we got here in the first place! Going along with deception reinforces it. Saying one thing and believing another is the lukewarm response. Scripture warns us, “Woe unto them who CALL evil good, and good evil…”. Please rethink your stance on this…and this is said in love and concern for you.
i disagree Lynek…we got here from professing Christians who spend far too much time entertaining themselves insteading praying and studying the word and sitting under preaching of self righteous phairsees that are quick stone people instead of respect them and share the truth directly in kindness.
when or where in my response did i call evil good?
Victoria, I apologize if I misunderstood you.
I am very grateful that my beloved was able to bear 4 healthy children for us. Honestly, I would have and would still give my life easily for any of our four that would need my to. I weep for those couples who are unable to bear their own children, but am so very thankful that our society is such that adoption is possible – even for those who supposedly cannot afford it, but CAN afford it through the kindness of the Lord’s people.
Thank you so much for standing up for your beliefs! I am very glad you got your job back. We have to keep speaking up or the wrong will take over. I’ve watched the homosexual society through the years slowly infiltrating our commercials and our game shows and the comedy and drama shows on TV. And now the confused people who don’t know what gender they are are trying to take over. It’s so very sad. But we must always remember too that if we can get people to give their lives to the Lord Jesus then maybe all of this craziness will stop. Because hearts have to change for all of this nonsense to quit and go away.
maybe God allowed this as a tool finally convince the prayerless and scripture starved church to finally turn off the tube and start really praying and reading their bible so they have something of eternal worth to offer Him and the world.
Thank you for sharing such an encouraging story!!!
Bless the Radiance Foundation with many donations, Father, that will help many babies to be adopted!!
God is amazing! This story reminds me of the verse from Romans chapter 8 that says “ God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes “ may God continue to bless and protect you all🙏🙏🙏✝️💕
FATHER, arise and have all pastors repent who have come in alignment with evildoers.
We are BOTH, in the days of Noah, LAWLESSNESS and
Lot, PERVERSION of;
LGBT, drag queen readings in so called churches… the mutilation of Youth…etc… who have taken the RAINBOW SIGN/TOKEN in this demonic loonacy…
FATHER, Raise up strong leadership who with show the STRAIGHT PATH and NARROW WAY of TRUTH. Teaching Genesis 1-11. Elohim created uni-verse( spoken WORD), made man( male and female), Gen3:15… THE SEED of the woman will crush the head of the seed of the serpent. The earth will be flooded by water( NO evolution or billions of years) ETC… IN YESHUA’S HOLY NAME AMEN AMEN
Powerful and heartfelt testimony of their journey. Thank God for such precious Saints, that lay it all down to rise with Victory.
What a beautiful testimony to our great God! I am thankful for Christians who live out their faith as this couple has. They are an inspiration to us all until we stand before God one day.
Thank you ourcFather for answering the prayers of this Godly couple. You are indeed such a loving Father that sees all and hear all and gives us the desires of our hearts. You honor those that honor you that stands for truth and Godly values and your Word
Thank You Father God for Your Love, Your presence Heals all. Thank you Lord that Josiah was given to a family who truly will love Him. God I lift up prayers to You for these children that not a lot of people seem to care about. I decree that children in the United States of America shall bear protection by Gods hand. God there is a real sickness among many adult leaders, a sickness worse than a virus, God my question is do they want to be called a woman if they were a man, don’t think so or reversed woman a man. There is a sickness that Satan is using to overpower their minds. A different kind of predator to bring about wickedness to our families. God I pray that parents will become more involved in their children lives, paying attention to what is happening in schools with the principal’s, teachers, board members. You must stand up as bold parents to these worldly views. I ask You Father to bless Tanner Cross as he glorifies You by standing up as a teacher and defending the lives of Children. Seeing children and young people being mistreated is not only extremely heartbreaking, but gives cause for righteous anger. Children are innocent lambs and they are being harmed by adult people who has allowed the darkness of satans spirits to control their lives. God gives us a life of truth, joy, laughter, all structured in love. Why seek and stand by seeing innocent children being abused in a school environment that leads to mistreated, mixed up children. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS? We say the children of this nation shall be esteemed as precious , and those who cannot defend themselves shall be defended by parents, PASTORS, church leaders, teachers, medical professionals and citizens everywhere. God may justice fall upon anyone who causes our children to be abused & stumble, We declare divine protection for our children, in Jesus’ Name! God forgive those (us) for not recognizing the abuses to children in schools, from doctors, and government agencies, while watching Our government promote creative ways to promote abuse to our children. “We as Gods people need to sound the alarm for justice, but we also need to intercede for Gods protection upon OUR children.” Luke 17-2” Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.“ Have we reached a point of reprobate sin that cannot be rehabilitated?? God is warning us, while loving us to make Drastic changes in our lives as Christians to stand with boldness for the children as disciples for Him. I love you Father God, I thank You for all You do. 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️God loves all children . Isaiah 53-13
Wow, what an amazing story. Thankful how God miraculously worked this out. An amazing couple! Thankful for their obedience.
You asked to let you know if I agreed that this *true* story is amazing … YES! And God is amazing! Amen! Thank you, Ryan Bomberger for being so moved that you connected with Tanner and Angela to make their dream of a having a child come true, and for making this story known.
Josiah, I pray you grow wisdom, and in the grace and the knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ! (2 Peter 3:18) And that you “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12) Amen!
Wow! Our God is so good and so faithful. My heart, His heart is forever ♾️ on our side 🙌🏽 I am in tears and in prayer. I love you Josiah.
Praise God! He is certainly moving in this dark and troubled world of ours!
Wow.
I have not stopped crying. God is so good.
What a beautiful story of restoration, redemption and love.
May the Lord continue to bless this couple, who have been spiritual parents all this time over the young people that God entrusted to them. They were tested in the fire and God called them faithful. Those who honor God – God honors.
Wow.
Amazing story!
Will be forwarding this message to two family members one a school teacher, and the other who has just graduated with a teaching degree.
Thanks for this beautiful story. The Lord is so faithful. Our Lord is working out heart’s desires for His people. Praise the Lord and thanks to this couple and their baby, Josiah.
I’m so proud of this couple and this strong teacher to stand a mighty STAND!!!!! I KNOW GOD IS SMILING UPON THEM!!!!
What an amazing couple and their testimony is even more amazing!!
Praise the Lord for all His love 🙏🙏🙏
May the continue to be blessed by our Lord and Savior 🙏🙏🙏
What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness to redeem and restore what’s been broken!! Thank you for sharing this story.
Father. thank You for being Abba, for Your mercies that are new every morning, for making a way where there seems to be no way and for using Your children to accomplish Your will here on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank You for replacing our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh and may this family’s story ignite Your heart’s desire in each and every reader.🙏
Lord, as one who had yielded myself, decades ago, to the cultural norms of child sacrifice before meeting Jesus, I am deeply touched by the Crosses’ story.. I rejoice with them and with You over Your beautiful gift to them of Josiah Daniel. Thank You, God, for Tanner’s faithfulness and courage that You used to open the door to their miracle. We praise You and believe that You have many more miracles in store for Your beloveds. Also, may Tanner’s stand (along with that of many others) inspire multitudes more to take a stand against the evils of our currently broken education system.
Josiah Daniel, you are a mighty man of God who are already bringing Him great glory just through the wonders of your story!
All I can say is, WOW, and to coin a phrase from one of my dearest friends, You go God!!! He always causes us to triumph.
What a great way to start my day, reading such a wonderful testimony of the goodness of God to those who follow hard after Him. May we all!
Beautiful testimony of how God brings beauty from ashes!
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! John 17 :23 Jesus says, ” I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW AND RECOGNIZE THAT YOU SENT ME AND THAT YOU HAVE LOVED THEM AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.”
Praise God! What a glorious example of the love and plan of God, and how He does more than we can ask or imagine to the glory of God in the Church and in Christ Jesus! I thank God for the courage and obedience of the Crosses and the Bombergers. What a gift you are!
That’s fine as long as you believe in god.
Harold, if you don’t, may your come to know YHVH through coming to faith in Yeshua. He knows you! If you do, may you know Him fully and without reserve!
It’s always nice to hear true stories, with a happy endings.
It brings hope to people who lost hope. Thank you for standing up
for your belief , and letting God do the battle. It brings hope and gives courage for those that are in the same battle against the school systems that
try to adopt ungodly policies. Thanks Bob
God is the restorer of the broken, he is love, he is the healer and restorer of our hearts of our souls. Thank you Father , thank you Jesus for being our Way maker our Miracle Worker, our Promise Keeper our Light in the Darkness. Beautiful Testimony of God’s Faithfulness❤️🙏
😭😍
What a GLORIOUS testimony!
(God make adoption affordable, trafficking non/existent, and abortion impossible. AWAKENING COME!)
Wow!! What an AMAZING testimony for this couple, and for Josiah!!!
As a parent of 4 adopted children this is amazing story. It isn’t easy and the “system” is broken because it moved from a Christian moral base to a secular one. But in the end God reigns and no one, not even child services can stop an adoption from happening.
Tanner did right by standing on Christian principles and not bowing to a corrupt and evil school board.
My prayer is that God will radically affect the Loudon School District and show the world that even ungodly school board members will be silenced by the Almighty Creator of the Universe and that they are humbled by Him.