Rodger’s first encounter with the Bible came at Vacation Bible School (VBS) when he was just eight years old. While he wasn’t raised in a Christian household, he remembers riding the VBS bus with his sister, learning about Jesus, and singing songs like “Jesus Loves Me.” On the last day, he was given his first Bible, but it sat untouched for years.
Later, in the Boy Scouts of America, he met godly men who became role models for him. At 15, Rodger started attending church with his high school sweetheart, Kara.* This was when Rodger dusted off that old Bible and began reading it, seeking God’s will in his life. In October 1986, Rodger gave his life to Christ for the first time.
At 17, Rodger joined the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve during Desert Storm. While he experienced many blessings during this time—marrying Kara, starting a family, and building a successful career—he admits that he was a “worldly Christian” for over three decades. He acknowledges that, despite his professed faith, he allowed sin to dominate his life. His choices led to great pain, both for himself and those he loved, particularly his wife and children.
In 2018, Rodger hit rock bottom. Arrested for a crime rooted in addiction, he lost everything—his job, family, and friends. Isolated in a jail cell, Rodger reached out to God in desperation. It was during this time that Crossroads’ mentorship program became a lifeline for him. Through the correspondence-based Bible studies, Rodger’s faith began to deepen. He recalls the pivotal moment when a man stopped by his cell and reminded him that life wasn’t over just because he was incarcerated. That night, Rodger opened his Bible and prayed. “Jesus met me there, and the heavy yoke that I had been carrying around, dragging me down for 48 years, was lifted off my shoulders,” he shared. “I rededicated my life to Christ and was at peace like never before. He had forgiven me and removed all my sins, hurts, pains, shame, guilt, and loneliness.”
Rodger’s journey with Crossroads has been transformational. “On June 9, 2019, I started the Crossroads correspondence Bible study,” he wrote. “I spend more time with God than I ever have in my life—more time in His Word, more continuous prayer, and more spiritual growth than in the first 48 years of my life.” Through years of Bible study and prayer, Rodger now feels closer to God than ever. “I feel more free now in prison than I think I ever felt,” he admitted. His time behind bars has been a season of spiritual growth, a journey that he believes could not have happened without the trials he faced.
Today, Rodger’s life is a testimony to God’s grace and mercy. Though he still prays for restoration with his family, he finds contentment in his deep relationship with God. “I understand more about Jesus, love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and even judgment than I ever have before,” he reflects. He is committed to serving the Lord, spreading the Gospel, and sharing his story with others about the hope found in Christ.
Rodger’s story illustrates the power of God’s grace to transform even the most broken of lives. Thousands of incarcerated men and women, like Rodger, are seeking hope and redemption. Through Crossroads Prison Ministries, you can make a life-changing difference by mentoring, praying, or supporting this important work. Join us in offering the love of Christ to those behind bars.
*Pseudonym used for privacy