Just for Mentors: August

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug recalls a time when someone told him they had prayed for him and how much that blessed him. Following the apostle Paul’s example, you can bless your students by writing words of prayer in your letters.

Just for Mentors: July

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug reflects on living with integrity. When we treat others with love and respect, trust is built, and we can leave a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Just for Mentors: June

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses a meaningful encounter with the first chapter of James. As you review lessons and read the Bible verses covered in the material, challenge yourself to apply the teachings to your life—and then challenge your students to do the same.

Just for Mentors: MAY

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug reminds us that no one is beyond redemption. After God transformed the apostle Paul into a new man, he was no longer defined by his past but by his new identity in Christ. Share this joyful news with your students!

Just for Mentors: APRIL

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation on Jesus Christ. When people returning home from prison lean on God and not on their own understanding, they stay on a steadier course. Encourage your students to center their lives on Christ, the Chief Cornerstone!

Just for Mentors: MARCH

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses a common theme found in letters from Crossroads students: a longing for restoration. Some students may express this very candidly; others may only hint at it. No matter what your student decides to share with you, be sure to encourage them with the good news that we serve a God of restoration!

Just for Mentors: FEBRUARY

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug addresses how the evil one works hard to make men and women behind bars and those who have served their sentences feel hopeless. When facing an issue as big as mass incarceration, creating change can seem overwhelming or even insurmountable. But we know that mountains can be moved. Change starts with faithful prayer. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to download our prayer journal (cpministries.org/prayer-journal) and commit to twenty-four days of prayer.

Just for Mentors: JANUARY

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug speaks on how life-altering events in his family life are teaching him valuable life lessons. These situations occur to our students as well, and can encourage them to respond by taking a hard look at their lives and reevaluating priorities. This season, encourage your student to seek God’s heart in all their plans by setting goals.

Just for Mentors: DECEMBER

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug shares his experiences as he interacts with a student art piece titled The Magi’s Gifts. As you are reminded of the Magi in Matthew 2, consider our students. Many of them possess very little, but they give freely of what they do have. Consider our student artists who generously share their work with us. Consider the students who give $5 here, $10 there to support the Crossroads program. Consider the students who use their gifts to lead Bible studies in their facilities. This is their gold, frankincense and myrrh, and it is beautiful.

Just for Mentors: NOVEMBER

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug explains the weight that labels can have on people. When we begin placing negative, demeaning labels on others, we can inflict harm. As you write to your students this month, consider including phrases within your letters that defy what the world may be telling them…

Just for Mentors: OCTOBER

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug recounts his time at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference in Muskegon, MI. He shares how his days were filled with passionate teachings, rich conversations and opportunities to share stories and information about Crossroads. But what Doug found most special was the intimate times of prayer. How are you praying for your students?

Just for Mentors: SEPTEMBER

In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug tells the story of how a trusted friend’s husband experiences transformation through meeting with the marginalized. When you are proximate to those who are forgotten, there is something in it for you: Jesus’ very presence. When we encounter people on the margins, we encounter Jesus.