The Beginning

Tom de Vries visits the Kent County Jail with his father-in-law. This experience reveals the need for a long-term, continuous Christian education program.

Crossroads officially registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It is located within the business offices of the car dealership owned by Tom de Vries and his brother, Jim.

Crossroads begins the yearslong work of developing a curriculum for people living behind bars with the help of two seminary presidents.

Tom de Vries meets the Rev. David Feddes, host of the national radio show Back to God Hour, at a conference for prison and jail ministry leaders.

Crossroads hits the milestone of 1,000 students thanks to the work of Rev. David Feddes’ promotion of the program to incarcerated listeners of his Back to God Hour radio show.

Feddes begins years of recruiting volunteers during his preaching tours throughout the United States.

Crossroad enrolls 1,800 students in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Crossroads opens a California office under the leadership of Rev. Tim Spykstra.

Crossroads moves from the de Vries family business into an office space in Grandville, Michigan. Enrollment exceeds 3,000 students.

Crossroads launches Tier 3 courses to offer college-level material. Enrollment reportedly hits 7,000 students.

Tom de Vries steps down as president after selecting his successor, the Rev. Dr. H. David Schuringa.

Enrollment surpasses 10,000 students. The Crossroads offices undergo an expansion to handle the increased volume and volunteers.

First lessons become available in Spanish.

Crossroads publishes a sixteen-page magazine-style booklet of student-created art and poetry. The magazine would later be named Crossroads Journal of the Arts.

Crossroads launches a radio show, Crossroad Connection (cbi.fm), and broadcasts until 2013.

Crossroads reports using 5,000 volunteers to deliver the ministry. Like organizations all over the world, the ministry slashes revenue projections in response to a global economic downturn.

Crossroads graduate Glen Edward Chapman is released from a North Carolina prison after being exonerated. He served fourteen years on death row for two murders he did not commit.

Crossroads opens an art gallery at its headquarters to showcase the growing collection of student artwork.

Crossroads’ first Facebook post appears on June 28, featuring a quote from a student in Florida

Crossroads graduate Kimberly McCarthy is executed in a Texas prison.

Crossroads purchases its current headquarters in Kentwood.