Crossover nights have become a prominent tradition in many African churches, particularly within Charismatic and Pentecostal circles. Held on New Year’s Eve, the 31st of December, these events are characterised by vibrant worship, fervent prayer, and bold declarations, often culminating in the announcement of the church’s annual theme. These themes resonate deeply with the hope and anticipation of the coming year.
Crossover nights have become a prominent tradition in many African churches.
One popular theme is “A Triumphant Entry into the New Year”, which draws from the imagery of Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem. The idea is that just as Christ entered Jerusalem in triumph, believers will also enter the new year with victory and God’s favour. Other frequently used themes include:
- “The Year of Divine Acceleration” emphasising God’s ability to expedite blessings (Amos 9:13)
- “Crossing Over into Victory” symbolising transition into triumph (Joshua 3:17)
- “The Year of Restoration and Renewal” reclaiming what was lost (Joel 2:25-26)
- “Breaking New Ground” highlighting new opportunities (Isaiah 43:19)
- “Arise and Shine” reflecting God’s glory (Isaiah 60:1)
- “The Year of Open Heavens” focusing on abundant blessings (Malachi 3:10)
- “Reigning in Life” highlighting the believer’s authority (Romans 5:17)
- “Breaking Every Chain” promoting spiritual freedom (Isaiah 58:6)
- “Soaring on Eagle’s Wings” encouraging strength and renewal (Isaiah 40:31)
- “The Year of Greater Glory” declaring heightened spiritual encounters (Haggai 2:9)
- “Stepping into the Promised Land” symbolising fulfilment (Joshua 1:3)
- “Empowered for Greatness” emphasising extraordinary accomplishments (Ephesians 3:20).
The Practices Entailed in Crossover Nights
Leading up to the New Year’s Eve service, December often features a variety of intense spiritual activities, including special prayer meetings. A common practice is the 12-day prayer program, where each day symbolically represents a month of the year ahead. Day 1 covers January; Day 2, February; and so on. Congregants are urged not to miss a single day. Because skipping is believed to leave the corresponding month uncovered by God’s blessings, potentially leading to challenges.
Missing a New Year’s Eve service is portrayed as risking one’s spiritual covering for the year ahead.
In some churches, financial contributions are tied to these programs. Congregants may be encouraged to “sow seeds” corresponding to each day or month. For instance, Day 1 (January) might require a seed of $10, $100, or $1,000, while Day 2 (February) could involve $20, $200, or $2,000. This culminates on Day 12 (December) with seeds of $12, $1,200, or $12,000. It is usually framed as a way to secure blessings for the entire year through sacrificial giving.
The New Year’s Eve service is considered the climax of the above. Missing it is portrayed as risking one’s blessings and spiritual covering for the year ahead. Attendees leave these events with a sense of renewed hope and assurance, believing they are stepping into a prosperous and victorious year.
The Influence of African Traditional Religions
The underlying belief is that crossover nights guarantee success, prosperity, and breakthrough in the new year. However, this aligns closely with practices found in African Traditional Religions (ATR). For instance, in ATR farmers, hunters, or fishermen might leave their tools overnight in shrines or with a traditional healer, seeking blessings and protection while breaking curses or evil influences. The tools would be retrieved in the morning with high expectations of success.
The underlying belief is that rituals secure divine favour.
Crossover nights mirror this concept, but in a Christianised context. The event itself is often treated as a kind of spiritual charm, where participants immerse themselves in worship, declarations, and prayer throughout the night, believing they emerge highly favoured and magically equipped for a prosperous year. While the setting and terminology differ, the underlying belief in rituals to secure divine favour remains the same.
Empty Promises That Impoverish Faith
Promising attendees of crossover nights a life free of suffering, hardship, illness, or pain is misleading and unbiblical. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” This includes times of difficulty. Trials too. The Christian life is not exempt from suffering. Rather, it often involves carrying one’s cross, as Jesus instructed (Luke 9:23).
The spirit behind many crossover nights is troubling.
How often are such promises repeated year after year, with no accountability for their fulfilment? This reflects a growing gullibility and a lack of discernment among African believers. The belief that attending a crossover night guarantees success is deeply superstitious and reflects an animistic mindset, rather than a biblical one. In cultures with animistic roots, rituals and symbolic acts are often seen as keys to prosperity and protection. Yet, as Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, believers are called to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Don’t Be Manipulated
To be clear, there is nothing wrong with gathering in prayer and fellowship to reflect on God’s past faithfulness and seek his guidance for the new year. Such gatherings can be spiritually enriching and biblically sound. However, the spirit behind many crossover nights is troubling. The belief that attendance secures blessings while non-attendance risks failure is deceitful, akin to visiting a traditional healer for charms of prosperity.
Let us reject manipulative superstitions, anchoring our faith in the sufficiency of God’s promises.
True biblical faith reminds us that our hope and assurance are found in Christ alone, not in rituals or events such as crossover nights. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Let us reject manipulative teachings and superstitions, anchoring our faith in the sufficiency of God’s promises and the finished work of Christ.
