Born into a Baptist family, Steven’s early years were filled with church attendance and vacation Bible school. But as he grew older, he drifted away from his faith. At 13, following a series of traumatic events, Steven’s life began to unravel. “I had multiple suicide attempts, struggled with drugs and alcohol, ran away from home, stole, broke property, fought, and started to get into trouble with the law,” he recalls. As a teenager, Steven found himself in and out of mental hospitals, group homes, and foster care.
The pain carried into adulthood. By 20, Steven found himself sentenced to prison, where his rebellious spirit continued. Despite attending chapel services, he never found the peace he was looking for. “I tried to change, but I was never happy. So, I quit attending church in prison.”
It wasn’t until Steven’s second prison sentence in 2014, when he was sentenced to 25 years, that his heart began to soften. After hitting rock bottom, he wrote a letter to the prosecutor’s office confessing his sins. “I felt the burden being lifted from my shoulders,” he said. This moment marked a turning point in his faith journey. “At that time, I confessed my sins to God and asked for forgiveness. When I did that, I felt so much better.” Though he couldn’t attend church while in segregation, he began reading his Bible and praying. Through these efforts, Steven began to feel God’s presence in his life.
In 2020, Steven fully surrendered his life to Christ. Reminded of the Crossroads lesson he had completed during his first time in prison, Steven reached out to resume his studies and receive support from mentors who helped him grow in his faith. “I love doing the Crossroads studies because they bring me closer to God. They are challenging at times, but I love it.” The lessons and letters from his mentors not only deepened his understanding of the Scriptures but also helped him transform his life. “With what I have learned from Crossroads and other studies, I have been able, with God’s help, to change my life for the better. My family now sees a different person, and they like that person better.”
Through his time in prison and participation in Crossroads’ mentorship program, Steven found a deeper relationship with God. “I will never again turn away from Jesus, and I know He will never fail me, leave me, or stop loving me.”
Stories like Steven’s are only possible because of the support of compassionate mentors and the transformative power of God’s Word. By partnering with Crossroads, you can help bring hope to people in prison who are searching for a fresh start, just as Steven was. Will you join us in this life-changing mission? Your support makes it possible for incarcerated individuals to find faith, hope, and redemption. Donate today to help us continue offering Bible studies and mentorship that transform lives—one person, one family, and one community at a time.