Ep 167: Cade Thompson: Why We Forget What the Cross Really Means

The cross is central to everything we believe.
So why does it sometimes feel… familiar?

In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Cade Thompson opens up about a tension many Christians quietly carry—what happens when the message of the cross stops feeling powerful and starts feeling routine.

Growing up in church and now touring as a Christian artist, Cade shares how easy it is to lose the wonder of what Jesus has done—and how to find it again.

From a life-changing moment at summer camp to a simple conversation in an airport that sparked his song “That’s What the Cross Is For,” this episode is a reminder that the gospel was never meant to become background noise—it was meant to transform everything.

Guest Bio

Cade Thompson is a Christian artist and songwriter based in Franklin, Tennessee. Originally from South Dakota, Cade has over 121 million lifetime streams and has toured with artists like Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Newsboys, and Michael W. Smith. He is signed to Red Street Records and leads worship weekly at his local church, writing songs that reflect his passion for Jesus and the power of the gospel.

Episode Highlights

• Why the message of the cross can lose its meaning
  And how to rediscover the wonder of what Jesus has done
• The story behind “That’s What the Cross Is For”
  How a simple airport conversation became a defining song
• How to stay spiritually fresh in worship and everyday life
  Why your private time with God matters more than the platform
• Fighting comparison as a Christian creative
  Choosing kingdom perspective over personal success
• What Gen Z is really looking for in worship
  A shift toward authenticity, simplicity, and real encounters with God

Pull Quote

“WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WITH GOD IN PRIVATE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TURN IT ON IN PUBLIC—IT JUST OVERFLOWS.”

Helpful Links

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cadethompson

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.