Gregory grew up in a Christian family from a young age, but like many raised in the church, his spiritual life had its share of highs and lows. At fifteen, his parents’ divorce triggered a crisis of faith that left him feeling lost. “For the next 6-7 years, I lived without any direction, although deep in my heart I truly desired to know God,” Gregory shared.
As a young adult, he turned to drugs and alcohol, falling into the grip of addiction. “There was a long period in my life in which I heavily used and abused drugs and alcohol and became entrenched in addiction,” he admitted. Around the age of 21, Gregory found his way back to God. “I have spent every day since growing closer to Him and seeking a deeper revelation of Him,” he said.
However, the battle was far from over. Gregory continued to struggle with the strongholds of addiction. When he finally sought help, his journey took an unexpected turn. “I felt such utter shame and conviction over [things I had done] that I knew I needed help and made the decision to come forward of my own volition,” he said. That decision led to a 10-year prison sentence and two years of parole.
But prison became a place of transformation. “I spent my time in prison really pressing into God and seeking His face,” Gregory recalled. He immersed himself in Bible studies, completing dozens of programs. Among them was the Crossroads mentorship program.
What impacted him most wasn’t just the lessons—it was the Christ-centered relationship he formed with his Crossroads mentor. Through her letters and guidance, she became like a grandmother to him, offering encouragement and support.
“By the time I was 18, I had no living grandparents. Now I have one,” Gregory said with deep gratitude. “I thank God for bringing her into my life. I look forward to continuing our studies together. May we grow in unity in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”
Gregory’s story is a beautiful reflection of how God places the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). Though he lost his biological grandparents, God provided him with a spiritual grandmother through Crossroads. In Christ, we are adopted into God’s family, finding love, belonging, and a place to grow in faith (Ephesians 1:15, Galatians 4:4-7).
Through Crossroads, Gregory found more than a mentor—he found a spiritual family. There are many others like Gregory who are searching for hope, healing, and family. Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus, walking alongside them? By volunteering as a Crossroads mentor, you can help someone discover that they are never alone—they are part of God’s family.