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 #17
Just for Mentors: JANUARY 2019
In prison, real rest is hard to come by. But Jesus promises to give rest to all who are weary. In this edition of Just for Mentors, we discuss how to point students to the rest that can only be found in Christ.
Just for Mentors #16
Just for Mentors: DECEMBER 2018
Doug discusses what it’s like to spend the Christmas season in prison and how we as Crossroads mentors can bring hope and encouragement to our students during this difficult time.
Just for Mentors #15
Just for Mentors: NOVEMBER 2018
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the power of being present and how as Crossroads mentors we can be present to our students through compassionate and encouraging letters.
Just for Mentors #14
Just for Mentors: OCTOBER 2018
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Dara encourages us to ask good questions of our students – questions that encourage them to look inwardly at their hopes, dreams, pain and disappointment.
Just for Mentors #13
Just for Mentors: SEPTEMBER 2018
As a Crossroads mentor, you will likely encounter many students who have long sentences or even life sentences. How do you encourage someone who has little or no hope of experiencing physical freedom? Doug tackles this topic in this month’s Just for Mentors.
Just for Mentors #12
Just for Mentors: AUGUST 2018
Prisoners may not have much during their incarceration. But one thing they do have is time. In this issue of Just for Mentors, Doug shares how we can lovingly encourage our students to make the best use of their time behind bars.
Just for Mentors #11
Just for Mentors: JULY 2018
Stories are powerful. In this issue of Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the importance of sharing our stories of struggle, pain and victory with our students.
Just for Mentors #10
Just for Mentors: JUNE 2018
Love, grace and mercy. They are words that we all know as Christians. But what does it look like to show love, grace and mercy to our students in our letters? Doug tackles this topic in this issue of Just for Mentors.
Just for Mentors #9
Just for Mentors: MAY 2018
In the book of Philippians, there is a little-known character named Epaphroditus, who travels hundreds of miles to visit Paul in prison. In this issue of Just for Mentors, Doug outlines what we as Crossroads mentors can learn from this obscure Bible character.
Just for Mentors #8
Just for Mentors: APRIL 2018
As a Crossroads mentor, you will likely encounter students of different faiths. In this issue, Doug challenges us to lovingly come alongside them on their spiritual journey and point them toward the love of Christ.
Just for Mentors #7
Just for Mentors: MARCH 2018
In this issue of Just for Mentors, Doug talks about the trauma and pain that prisoners experience when they are defined only by their crime. Find out how you as a Crossroads mentor can speak words of hope and point your students to their true identity in Christ.
Just for Mentors #6
Just for Mentors: FEBRUARY 2018
“Will you please pray for my family?” It’s a simple question but often loaded with pain and uncertainty for prisoners. In this issue of Just for Mentors, Doug helps you know how to pray for and encourage your student in their relationships with family.