Crossroads Prison Ministries

"Peace" by Mark, a Crossroads student in Australia

Psalm 107:1

"My life was turned upside down when my parents divorced. . . . I was not raised in a practicing Christian home. I had some head knowledge of who God and Jesus were, but I did not have a personal relationship with them. We were not regular churchgoers, and we did not read the Bible at home. As a child, I remember filling out some papers, and one of the questions asked if I was a Christian. So I asked my mom, and she said that I was. So I checked the box without even knowing what that meant!

"At a young age, I was introduced to some situations that started me down a road that I did not know how to deal with. I was always seeking to be loved, knowing I had a problem but not knowing how to deal with it. It just kept getting [worse]. By the time I became an adult, I was so deep into it that I could not stop.

"I remember two days before I was arrested that, for the first time in my life, God spoke to my spirit. I did not fully understand why He was speaking to me, but somehow, I knew it was Him. He told me to tell the truth, and that He would get me through. I was thinking, 'Through what??' Well, I found out two days later when I was brought in for questioning and arrested. I told the truth, and I took full responsibility for my actions. That was February 23, 2012, and I was forty-nine years old. God has been faithful to His promise and has been seeing me through this. I had never read the Bible up to that point, but now, I have not [gone] a day without reading it."

– Grover L., a Crossroads student in Indiana

Many people in prison struggle to believe that good can still come from their lives, but we know that no one is beyond redemption. With the support of Christian mentors, students like Cassandra T. in Texas experience freedom in Christ and discover renewed hope for the future.

John 14:27

In a recent interview with Mission Network News, Crossroads' director of church engagement, Douglas Cupery, shared, “One of the challenges I’ve noticed through my 20 years of volunteering inside prisons is when, yes, they understand the Scripture — but how do you apply that in [their] lives?”

Inmates face struggles to apply faith in prison - Mission Network News Many prison ministries are focused on sharing the Gospel in prisons and introducing men and women to Jesus Christ. This is critical, life...

For over six decades, Nathen wanted nothing to do with God. He thrived on living “the life of a heathen,” and not even a brush with death could change his ways. But the Holy Spirit began to work on Nathen’s hardened heart through a book he didn’t order and a Bible he didn’t want to read.

Read Nathen’s story:

God Softens Student’s Heart of Stone - Crossroads Prison Ministries For over six decades, Nathen wanted nothing to do with God. Through a devotional and promptings from the Holy Spirit, God transformed his heart of stone.

"I have been a Christian since May 5, 2012. I became a Christian by being witnessed to by my mother, aunt, and a teenage friend. I used to be one of those individuals who, when asked if I believed in God, would say, 'I am my own god; the decisions I make determine the outcome of my future.' Until one night, as I was lying down on my bunk, getting ready to fall asleep, I prayed and asked God to take control over my life. I confessed all my known sins and told God, 'I forgive everybody who has ever done me harm or wrong.' And I went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up feeling light, like a heavy burden was lifted off my chest, and I had a strong desire to read the Bible. To make a long testimony short, I renounced my gang affiliation, stopped using drugs [and] profanity, and completely gave my life over to Christ. Doing Crossroads Bible study courses helped me out tremendously. It has allowed me to understand the Bible in a way that I couldn't have on my own. Being a part of the program has helped me out a lot because it keeps me in the Word every day."
– Jason J., a Crossroads student in California

Happy Independence Day from Crossroads!

"Genesis 1:1-2" by Damian C., a Crossroads student in Texas

Jack’s life was marked by neglect, abuse, and hardship. But when he found himself behind bars, his journey took an unexpected turn. Discover how Jack found faith and hope in the most unlikely place:

Jack’s Story: Finding Faith Behind Bars - Crossroads Prison Ministries Discover Jack’s inspiring story of finding faith behind bars. From a tumultuous upbringing to a transformative encounter with God in prison, Jack’s journey highlights the power of faith, mentorship, and redemption.

"Twenty-three years have passed since I entered prison, but I realize that God has been with me all this time. I know that God loves me, and I am being blessed today as I write my testimony. . . . I've learned that godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation; worldly sorrow brings death—eternal separation from God. I am now a soldier in the mighty army of God; my division is in prison, and it is a place to lead me to repentance and discipleship. Inside these fences, my faith is tested every day. We Christians in prison fight the same battles as you; all of us struggle. . . . Because of God's grace, we who believe in Jesus Christ have been promised eternal life at the right hand of God. God bless all of you. We soldiers of God who are inside these fences send you our love."
– Shawn M., a Crossroads student in Oklahoma

"A New Man," written by Michael B., a Crossroads student in Missouri:

Locked in a box, behind a steel door,
Day after day, pacing the floor.
His life is a mess, broken and shattered,
He has nothing left of what he once thought mattered.
Finding a Bible, he begins to read
And famished, his soul begins to feed.
He reads of a man named Jesus Christ,
Who came to be Savior and give His life.
He suffered for sin and paid the price
That man might have eternal life.
In utter desperation, he kneels and cries,
“Oh Jesus, my Savior, I give You my life!”
Away from the world and behind a steel door,
Day after day, he paces the floor.
Praying and praising God’s holy name,
He now has new life and is not the same.
He understands now that God had a plan,
And he gives God the glory, for he is a new man.

For the past forty years, Crossroads has been pouring hope into prisons one letter at a time. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we ask that you prayerfully consider supporting our ministry financially. With your support, we can continue to pour hope into prisons for the next forty years. Give today at cpministries.org/donate.

"Growing up, I was always around churches. My grandma is a faithful Christian, and God has always been in my life or putting people in my life to plant seeds and water or get my attention, but I always ran from Him. . . . I lived a very violent lifestyle. I loved violence. I was sentenced to fifty-three years to life for murder and many other crimes. My first prison yard was a very violent one, and let me remind you, I used to love violence, but slowly but surely, I was reading my Bible and watching Christian shows, [and] I felt God tugging at my heart. I cried one night over America's Got Talent, and I knew right there I wasn't that same person—that God was changing my heart and transforming my mind. I even got tired of seeing the violence on the prison yard. I knew I needed saving. I needed a Savior, and Jesus Christ was the only way, the truth, and the life.

"Looking back on my life before I gave my life to Christ, I knew He chose me from the beginning, before time, that He was always there trying to get my attention and draw me to Him. He saved me and changed my life forever. Most of my family was out there on drugs, running the streets as well. They [saw] how God changed my life. I prayed and planted seeds; now, God has blessed them also. They're all doing good [and] gave their lives to Christ. We all still go through trials and troubles, but we have that eternal assurance through Christ. . . . I have the inner peace and Jesus Christ in my heart and heaven as my eternal home, my resting place with God forever."

– Robert S., a Crossroads student in California

Psalm 21:13

Nate found Christ in a prison chapel. More than twenty-five years later, he is leading a church in Chicago. Read his inspiring story:

Former Student Leads Chicago Church - Crossroads Prison Ministries Nate Johnson found Christ in a prison chapel. More than twenty-five years later, he is leading a church in Chicago. Read his inspiring story.

"Thank you to all members of the Crossroads mentorship program. It is such an inspiration and blessing to have this in my daily life. I thank God for the concern and care that each mentor puts forth into writing me. Their letters bring such a joy to my days." – Heather B., a Crossroads student in Georgia

"Dear Crossroads, thank you for all that your mentors and courses have done to improve people's lives."
– Paul K., a Crossroads student in Texas

People who have known Billy for a long time tell him they see changes for the better since he went to prison in 2021. He is not the angry man he used to be. He now pauses to listen to people, and he genuinely enjoys helping others. Even Billy is amazed by the changes.

Read Billy’s story here: https://cpministries.org/news/faith-helps-man-heal-from-addiction

Art by Nestor G., a Crossroads student in Michigan

Grace and her late husband, Henry, started mentoring students together in 1997, and their example of faithful service to people behind bars made an impression on their children. Today, fourteen of their offspring are mentors. All six of their children, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren embraced the call to shine hope, light, and love into the lives of people in prison.

Read their story here:

Mentoring Is All in the Family - Crossroads Prison Ministries Grace and her late husband, Henry, started mentoring people in prison together in 1997, and their example of faithful service to people behind bars made an impression on their children. Today, fourteen of their offspring carrying on the family legacy as mentors.

Did you know that two-thirds of parents in state prisons have never had a visit from their child? On this Father's Day, join us in praying for all fathers and families impacted by incarceration.

Learn more: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2022/08/11/parental_incarceration/

At Crossroads, we believe in the transformative power of God’s love and forgiveness. Georgia S., a student in Mississippi, shared, “The best part was the encouragement that God loves me no matter what and forgives me for my past. . . . I was reminded to not be so hard on myself—just to learn from my mistakes and try again.”

Join us in our mission to provide encouragement and hope to those who are incarcerated, reminding them of God’s love and forgiveness. Visit our website to learn how you can support our ministry or sign up to become a mentor.

cpministries.org/mentor

"I came to faith in Christ after a series of unfortunate events and a near su***de attempt. After over a year of walking with the Lord, I fell from grace due to my federal conviction and sentence of forty-one years. For several years, I practiced false religions, thinking I had somehow gotten my initial confession of faith wrong. But I was ignorant and didn't know that it was all a trick of the devil to deceive me. Suddenly, I heard the Spirit of the Lord tell me to return to my first love. By grace, through faith, I rededicated my life to Christ and have been growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord ever since.

"Just moments prior to my su***de attempt, my father prayed for me. I believe that prayer and my father's and grandmother's many prayers are what led to my conversion. Crossroads and its mentorship program have helped me to grow tremendously in my knowledge and understanding of God and His Word. This, in turn, has helped me in my relationship with God and my obedience to His Word."
– Lorenzo S., a Crossroads student in Mississippi

Crossroads’ founder, Tom de Vries, brought a blend of charisma, empathy, and diligence that inspired people in jails and prisons to join his growing Bible study program. As enrollment grew, his extended family and community responded to the need for volunteers. To his family and friends, the benefits of providing Christian education through supportive Christ-centered friendships were obvious.

At every point, the Lord provided exactly what the ministry needed.

Read part 2 of Crossroads' history series:

History Part 2: Shifting from Startup Energy to Stability - Crossroads Prison Ministries Crossroads’ founder, Tom de Vries, brought a blend of charisma, empathy, and diligence that inspired people in jails and prisons to join his growing Bible study program. As enrollment grew, his extended family and community responded to the need for volunteers. To his family and friends, the benef...

"But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." -Nehemiah 9:17B

"Freedom" by Derek D., a Crossroads student in Louisiana

“I feel like the love and compassion He has shown for me, I can’t keep it to myself,” Billy said during an interview at his Florida penitentiary. “Other people need to hear what I have been through. Christ’s gift is not for me, it’s for someone else, and I love talking about Jesus.”

Read Billy’s story and learn how your gifts can go twice as far this month:

Faith helps man heal from addiction - Crossroads Prison Ministries Time behind bars has helped Billy find his footing in a new life as he recovers from drug and alcohol addiction. Read his story.

"Crossroads is the only mail we get in solitary. We need someone outside this cell to help us keep our heads up." - Ricardo J., a Crossroads student in Texas