Each day, Crossroads receives powerful testimonies about how God is at work in the lives of our mentors and students. One such story came from Lisa, a Crossroads mentor, who shared a heartfelt letter from her Tier 2 student, Demone.
Reflecting on the early days of their mentorship, Lisa shared, “I spent the better part of the first year working on building his trust. His answers in the lessons were always complete and accurate, but I could tell he was not yet ready to open up with more personal and detailed responses.”
Everything changed when Demone’s father passed away. In a moment of shared grief, Lisa and Demone connected on a deeper level. “I had been grieving over the loss of my own father, and I think it was that letter I wrote to him that broke down the barrier for us,” Lisa explained.
From then on, their conversations deepened. Demone began sharing more of his struggles, including challenges in his marriage. He sought Lisa’s guidance on Scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 7, which offers instruction on Christian marriage. Lisa was encouraged by his growing openness: “I was absolutely overjoyed to know that everything I had been sharing and writing for the better part of the past year had in fact been having a positive effect on Demone.”
For Lisa, each letter from Demone became a highlight of her day. “I always smile on the days when I know a lesson is in the mail from Crossroads, but when I see it is from Demone, I know it’s going to be special. He inspires me in my own faith journey.”
Demone’s letters reveal how deeply this mentorship has impacted his life. “Talking with you through letters helps me deal with things I would never have been able to handle on my own,” he wrote to Lisa. Under her guidance, he found clarity in Scripture and a deeper understanding of God’s unconditional love. “She always leads with Scripture first and her words second—always God’s Word.”
Through Crossroads, Demone not only grew in faith but also discovered a newfound purpose in helping others. After assisting those incarcerated alongside him in understanding Hebrews 13:3, he reflected, “Even though I thought no one wanted to hear what I had to say, those two brothers proved me wrong. They had faith in my faith, knowledge, and understanding of the Word—even when I didn’t.”
For Lisa, seeing God at work in Demone’s life reaffirmed her own faith and calling as a mentor. “It truly is a remarkable thing to see firsthand how the hand of God is touching so many lives through Crossroads Prison Ministries,” she shared.
This story reminds us of how much impact a word of encouragement and consistent support can have on someone navigating the challenges of incarceration. While many Crossroads students may initially hesitate to open up to their mentors, testimonies like Demone’s show that steadfast love and care make a lasting difference—even when it isn’t immediately visible.
You can be part of this life-changing work. Become a mentor with Crossroads or give today and see how God can work through you to touch lives, just as He did for Demone.