If you walk into the Crossroads production room on any given day, you will find a handful of volunteers processing the thousands of lessons and letters that we receive each week at our West Michigan-based office.
Seventy-five people come into the Crossroads office at least once a week to support the five staff members on Crossroads’ operations team. This past fiscal year, as stated in our annual impact report, the volunteers who provided this mission-critical service gave 12,123 hours to processing lessons and preparing them to be mailed to our students and mentors.
These in-office volunteers, along with approximately three thousand volunteers who mentor Crossroads students, form the backbone of our ministry.
Recently, we have been showcasing a volunteer spotlight in our front office to honor those who dedicate their time to ensuring lessons are processed promptly. We’re excited to introduce you to a few of the people who work behind the scenes to make this ministry possible:
Thomas B., a Crossroads volunteer since 2017
Thomas B., a Crossroads volunteer since 2017
What brought you to Crossroads?
A church friend who personally visited thirty or more incarcerated people in West Michigan told me about Crossroads, where he had been volunteering. When I retired in 2017, I was looking for a place to volunteer in a Christian organization that lives out Jesus’ Great Commission, and Crossroads was a perfect match for that, as well as a match for my computer familiarity.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
It’s genuinely fun to come here every week because the staff and volunteers are very hardworking but also very pleasant to be around. Everybody I’ve seen has a strong sense of Crossroads’ mission. My FAVORITE part is knowing that every big or little volunteer task helps students connect with Jesus. So, when I’m at Crossroads, whether I am tearing open today’s mail, checking addresses in the database, stuffing envelopes, or entering new students into the database, I know that every little step in the process ultimately helps someone connect with Jesus and with a Christian mentor.
What are some of your interests/hobbies?
I enjoy pickleball to get exercise and have fun. I play occasionally with other Crossroads volunteers and employees and, two or three times a week, with a fairly aggressive group of guys my age. My wife, Vonda, and I collect postcards of our hometowns—Sheboygan, WI, and Fremont, MI. I have approximately 1,100 postcards currently and no idea who will want them someday—perhaps the Sheboygan Historical Society. I help organize a small group at church, place grocery orders for our church food pantry monthly, and was just installed for another three-year term as elder (recording clerk, taking minutes). About 100 years ago, or so it seems, I was a computer programmer.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 3:14–15
It makes me realize how extremely blessed I was to grow up in a loving Christian home. I get teary-eyed whenever I read it.
Bob T., a Crossroads volunteer since 2006
Bob T., a Crossroads volunteer since 2006
What brought you to Crossroads?
I signed up to volunteer for Crossroads after hearing a presentation at my church.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
I enjoy being a mentor to two students and working with the other volunteers, and the Crossroads staff is great! Seeing and processing the many, many lessons that come through brings me joy as well.
What are some of your interests/hobbies?
I love golfing, watching my grandkids play sports, reading, and working in my backyard!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8–9
Mary W., a Crossroads volunteer since 2018
Mary W., a Crossroads volunteer since 2018
What brought you to Crossroads?
The man who started Crossroads (Tom de Vries) spoke at my church many years ago. I was drawn in right away. I enjoy writing, and I could correspond with prisoners on my own schedule. I have been a mentor now for 25+ years. Upon retirement, I wanted to do more, and I have been opening letters in the office.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
I have the privilege of reading some amazing testimonies of prisoners who have been set free while serving their time. I find myself praying often for those brothers and sisters who were once lost but now are found! I’ve met many new volunteers during these last few years and also got reacquainted with some old friends who are looking to be of service.
What are some of your interests/hobbies?
Hiking, biking, gardening, playing saxophone in a community band, pickleball, making bread, doing word games, keeping a journal, and writing encouraging letters to prisoners.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I quote this verse often to my students:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Atena L., a Crossroads volunteer since 2022
Atena L., a Crossroads volunteer since 2022
What brought you to Crossroads?
I was looking for volunteer opportunities and was told by another volunteer that I would be a great fit doing office work.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Mostly, I enjoy the computer work of enrolling and receiving lessons into the system. But as I have told Liz (the volunteer operations coordinator) many times, I love the mission and ministry of CPM, and I am willing to do any task that is necessary.
What are some of your interests/hobbies?
I love to read. I love jigsaw puzzles. Early this spring, I bought an electric bike. I thoroughly enjoy riding the bike on trails and biking through the countryside. I love being outside.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” – Jeremiah 29:11–13
Keep an eye out for more profiles of our in-office volunteers in the coming months.
If you live in West Michigan and are interested in joining the team of volunteers at our Grand Rapids office, please contact us for more information.
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