Volunteer mentors are the heart of Crossroads Prison Ministries. In order to provide ongoing training and encouragement for volunteers, we provide monthly newsletters called Just for Mentors. Each newsletter includes tips, ideas and encouragement from Doug Cupery, director of church mobilization at Crossroads, and important news and reminders for mentors. We hope these newsletters help you become the best mentor you can be!
Just for Mentors #29
Just for Mentors: JANUARY 2020
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the negative imagery associated with the word “prisoner”, and how you as Crossroads mentors can respond with letters providing support, guidance, love, and more.
Just for Mentors #28
Just for Mentors: DECEMBER 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses writing to men and women in prison who wrestle with their shame, guilt and pain and how you as Crossroads mentors can respond with letters reflecting God’s redemptive plan for what is broken in this world.
Just for Mentors #27
Just for Mentors: NOVEMBER 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the importance of building trust in Christ-centered relationships.
Just for Mentors #26
Just for Mentors: OCTOBER 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses prayer and how it has the power to deepen our relationship with Jesus and help us understand His plans for us.
Just for Mentors #25
Just for Mentors: SEPTEMBER 2019
Doug shares an experience he had talking with two strangers in a plane and their two very different reactions to learning that he works for a prison ministry.
Just for Mentors #24
Just for Mentors: AUGUST 2019
Doug shares the story of Jamie, a friend of his in prison whose life has been transformed through the love and support of people from the outside visiting him.
Just for Mentors #23
Just for Mentors: JULY 2019
In this edition of Just for Mentors, Doug discusses how he experienced God’s incredible grace during and after his incarceration and what it means for Crossroads mentors to show grace to their students.
Just for Mentors #22
Just for Mentors: JUNE 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the challenges for men and women released from prison reentering society and how you as Crossroads mentors can begin to prepare your students to thrive upon their release.
Just for Mentors #21
Just for Mentors: MAY 2019
For many Crossroads mentors, it is difficult to write letters to men and women you have never met. In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug offers practical tips on how to write meaningful, encouraging letters to your students.
Just for Mentors #20
Just for Mentors: APRIL 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug reminds us that Jesus is always present and at work in prison. He casts a vision for how we as mentors can continually point students to Jesus’ ongoing work in their lives.
Just for Mentors #19
Just for Mentors: MARCH 2019
Drawing on his own journey of incarceration and reentering society, Doug explains how mentors can help their students have a vision for restoration in their lives.
Just for Mentors #18
Just for Mentors: FEBRUARY 2019
In prison environments that are often full of hate, vengeance and violence, it’s hard to imagine even a moment of peace. In this month’s Just for Mentors, we discuss how to help our students be agents of peace in very hostile environments.