As a pastor of a large church in northeastern Uganda, Edward has witnessed firsthand how following God’s mandate to care for and disciple those in prison leads to transformation—both inside and outside prison walls.
Edward first learned about Crossroads when he visited Grand Rapids in 2014. At the time, he and his wife, Susan, were already involved in prison ministry, serving at a facility just two kilometers from their church. When Edward later stepped into a senior pastor role, leading a congregation of 700, he began asking, “How do we disciple prisoners?” This question led him to reconnect with Crossroads in 2022 and take on a coordinator role in his region.
“The materials and the support from Crossroads have really been very tremendous,” he shared. As a church and prison coordinator, Edward ensures that the Bible study materials reach the prisons, mobilizes and trains volunteer mentors, and encourages them in their calling.
For the students in prison, the program has been life-changing. Edward shared the testimony of one student who declared, “I now believe that God has brought me to prison for a purpose.”
The ministry’s impact extends far beyond the prison walls. Church members have grown in compassion, leading to increased giving—not just financially, but also in tangible support for those in prison. “Many people are sitting in church trying to figure out what to do,” Edward explained. “The mentorship program has brought their passion out. They are now using their gifts to invest in others.”
As mentors and students engage with the program and grow in faith and compassion, their entire community feels the impact. One man, after being released from prison, expressed gratitude, saying, “I’ve never seen people who have loved me the way you have, who have believed in me.” Another, upon release, started a juice business and credited his success to the love and guidance he received through Crossroads. Reflecting on these transformations, Edward said, “What we are doing is making an impact.”
Through Edward’s leadership and the dedication of his volunteers, Uganda continues to witness the power of God’s love restoring lives—one mentor, one student, and one letter of encouragement at a time.