As a teenager, Russell struggled with substance abuse. He remembers his mom taking him to church as a child, but as soon as he was old enough to make his own decisions, he stopped going. By 2002, at age 26, Russell had achieved success by the world’s standards and believed he didn’t need God. A coworker repeatedly invited him to church, but he always declined. Then, one day while driving, he heard the song “Spirit in the Sky” on the radio—a song he’d heard many times before. This time, something felt different.
“Something came over me, and I started crying instantly,” Russell recalls. Although he didn’t fully understand what was happening, he felt it was connected to God. He immediately called his coworker and asked to go to church with him the next day, which happened to be Easter Sunday.
“I still remember that sermon today,” he says. “It felt like it was just for me.”
Despite this experience, Russell found himself drawn back to the life he knew. A few months later, in June, his sister tragically passed away during childbirth. The loss was devastating, but it pushed Russell to rethink his priorities. In July, a friend invited him to a larger church, where he began attending regularly. Soon, he was encouraged to join a men’s small group. At first, he resisted.
“I told myself there was no way I was doing that,” Russell admits. But by the end of the sermon that day, he found himself signing up.
Russell’s faith grew quickly. He developed a passion for helping others and even helped start an outreach ministry. However, life took a difficult turn. He entered into an unhealthy relationship, which led to a troubled marriage. When the marriage fell apart, his wife left with their child. Heartbroken and angry, Russell walked away from God.
For the next 12 years, Russell appeared successful on the surface. He remarried and built a loving family, but he felt disconnected and unmoored. Poor choices eventually led to his incarceration.
The first seven months in jail were the lowest point of Russell’s life. He battled severe depression and twice considered ending his life. Separated from his wife and children, he felt he had no purpose. But in his eighth month, something began to shift. One morning, Russell woke up and noticed the weight of his depression was slightly lighter.
He began reading the Bible and found himself drawn in. “I couldn’t get enough of it,” Russell says. From that point, he spent 12 to 14 hours a day reading and studying, finding comfort and strength in its words.
During this time, Russell enrolled in Crossroads’ correspondence-based mentorship program. The Bible studies and letters from mentors provided encouragement and support, helping him rebuild his sense of purpose even while spending most of his days locked in a cell. As he faced the reality of a long prison sentence, Russell began to find peace in knowing that his circumstances, however difficult, could still hold meaning.
For people in prison, Christmas can be one of the hardest times of the year. While others celebrate with family and loved ones, those who are incarcerated face the loneliness of separation and the weight of missed memories. The holiday season, which is meant to bring hope and joy, can instead feel isolating.
For Russell, the support he received from Crossroads during the holidays was a lifeline. Knowing that someone cared and was rooting for him made a world of difference.
Russell’s journey hasn’t been easy. He has faced heartbreak, separation from his children, and the challenges of incarceration. But through it all, he has worked to find strength, perspective, and hope for the future.
This Christmas, you can be a source of hope for people like Russell. Your support helps Crossroads provide mentorship, meaningful connections, and encouragement to those who need it most during this difficult time. By giving, you remind people in prison that they are not forgotten and that they still matter.