Note: any reference in the newsletters to contact the office via e-mail or phone should be made to the Canadian office and NOT the US office. You can contact the Canadian office via email or by calling us (289) 861-1369 or 1-844-677-6658 (toll-free).
2020
April 2020
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug shares how feeling unwelcome can destroy a person’s self-worth. We as the Church have a responsibility to tell our students, “You belong here! We care about you. So does God.” Read the newsletter
March 2020
Doug shares the story of Susan, a mentor who wrestled with her identity like many of the men and women in prison, but through Christ, Susan finds her identity as a child of God—a child of the King! Read the newsletter
February 2020
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the facts behind mass incarceration and how we can lose sight of how these numbers represent people just like us. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
2019
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. Read the newsletter
November 2019
In this month’s Just for Mentors, Doug discusses the importance of building trust in Christ-centered relationships. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
2018
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read the newsletter
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. Read newsletter 1 / Read newsletter 2
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. Read newsletter 1 / Read newsletter 2
January 2018
The letters you write and the Bible studies we share with our students not only affect their present situation but also their future. In this issue, Doug talks about the Church’s role in caring for prisoners in every phase of their journey. Read the newsletter / watch the video
2017
December 2017
Doug shares a letter from a Crossroads student who has been incredibly blessed by his interaction with Crossroads mentors and what all mentors can learn from his experience. Read the newsletter / watch the video
November 2017
Do you often use “church talk” or “Christianese” when talking with fellow believers? In this issue, Doug shares why this stained-glass language shouldn’t be used when writing to Crossroads students and how to reach your students effectively in your letters. Read the newsletter / watch the video
October 2017
In this issue, President Lisa Blystra shares what biblical mentorship looks like and casts a vision for Crossroads mentors bringing encouragement, love and guidance to their students. Read the newsletter / watch the video
September 2017
In the first issue of Just for Mentors, Doug offers five things prisoners need to hear. Also in this issue is a get-to-know-you interview with Doug. Read the newsletter / watch the video