Crossroads Prison Ministries and London based New Life Prison Ministries have in essence the same mission and vision: to come alongside incarcerated women and men, helping them grow in faith through Bible correspondence courses with personalized replies.

The legal entity currently known as “Crossroads Prison Ministries Canada” will lay down its name and close its office in Burlington.  Following this, Crossroads Prison Ministries Canada will be wound up in due course.  Our operations will transfer to the offices of New Life Prison Ministries who will continue to operate out of their existing location in Arva, ON, north of London. Interested volunteers from Crossroads Canada will have the opportunity to transfer and serve under the New Life Prison Ministries banner in future. This transfer will not include any of our current branding or lesson material, which will remain under proprietary ownership by the US entity.

“This is a good news story. This exciting opportunity allows improved stewardship so that 100% of our donor resources will remain in Canada,” remarks René Kooistra, Chair of Crossroads Canada.

“Our coming together is a demonstration of the unity in the Body that the Lord Jesus prayed for,” comments Peter Bolton, Chair of New Life.

As New Life is committed to continuously serving the inmate population effectively, planning is in place to transition interested Crossroads mentors to becoming New Life instructors. Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting venture.

Name of Press Contact: Martie van Niekerk
Phone: 289-861-1369
Email: info@cpministries.ca

It wasn’t until I was imprisoned that I started listening to the guidance of the Spirit, and started comforting brothers and praying with them and for them. In the time that I spent studying through the teachings of Crossroads Bible Studies, I was sharpened. I now lead our Bible studies, bringing the Lord to others who previously didn’t believe.

I’ve watched God do many miracles and healings of prisoners and guards. I’ve seen men give their lives to Christ. I have come to an understanding that with the help fo Crossroads and the leading of the Holy Spirit, I will one day, God willing, earn my freedom. When I do, I will start a ministry to help my brothers and sisters in prison, and those who have backslidden; grabbing on to them for Christ so they do not fall away as victims to the vices of the adversary.

Crossroads held on to me and I will return the favour in kind. I am wrongfully convicted, yet happy to do the work God has sent me to do while I’m incarcerated. It has especially given me a chance to get back to focusing on the Lord.

Thank you to all of you at Crossroads. May the Father Almighty grant you your hearts’ desires through His Mighty Son Jesus.

Gerald’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. Photo by Joe on Unsplash.

Twice a year, we publish a collection of student artwork. This artwork is meant to inspire our students, and bring them comfort. Many of them express their growing faith in their poetry, and others use it as a way to work through the difficulties that prison brings. The students look forward to each booklet, and chaplains love handing them out as an icebreaker to potential students and curious non-believers.

At the beginning of each of our art booklets, Martie van Niekerk (our president) shares some of her thoughts on creativity and faith. Today, we’d like to share that letter and some art from the booklet with you.

These are trying times.

As I write this, we are in the first week of social distancing because of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Many of us have retreated to our homes, distancing ourselves from others to ensure the safety of our friends, family, and the elderly. Many people I know live in fear of quarantine — a total government lockdown.

Sadly, you already experience the feeling of being quarantined from society every day. In some small way, this is the closest many of us will come to understanding your experience.

I also know that many of you are concerned about what will happen to you if the coronavirus reaches your institution. We have heard that many of you are concerned about the close quarters you live in.

I do not know how things will have changed by the time you receive this art book, and I unfortunately do not have answers to any of your concerns.

But I want to reassure you: no matter how bad it seems, Jesus loves you. And God is still with you.

I believe God’s heart breaks when He sees human suffering. God came to earth as Jesus. He experienced everything life has to offer — including its sorrows. Our Creator understands our pain, and is with us in it. He feels it too — perhaps even more than we do.

In this time, I pray that you feel the peace of Jesus with you and the comfort of our Lord and God. I thank you for submitting your beautiful art and your wonderful poetry. I hope this letter finds you well, and our prayers at Crossroads are with you, your family, your friends, and those you are in community with at your institution.

My path is of destruction, and each time has been worse than the last. Several years ago, I asked Jesus into my heart. At this point, I realize my faith then was very weak — if not fake. When it came to faith, I “faked it till I made it.” I went to the church and found I really loved worship, but during the sermon, I would go for a smoke rather than hear what was being said. If I did hear the words, I felt guilty for all I’ve done. I fell short, as I always seemed to.

Now I’m 53. Years have passed. I find myself in the very same spot once again. I’ve known God my whole life. I’ve been in an out of church and worship for many years. I was in a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, taking part in their twelve step program. They refer to as a “higher power.” Their program is built around it. Without the “higher power” they speak of, their program does not exist. Again, I really did fake my faith before. What I was missing is God.

Truly, if I don’t have God in my life, I always end up where I am at. Because I have done everything to avoid turning my will over to a power greater than myself. This struggle of mine has been my life story.

At church, I loved to sing. I didn’t want to hear the Word. I managed to turn my ear away from it. How can anyone learn about God or grow with God if you won’t hear the Word? I fell short over and over.

Last year, I started to read the Word. I was on my knees begging for a change. I had overdosed. I had lost yet another relationship. I had lost my home. My sons no longer wanted contact with me. I was back in prison.

Yet this time was much worse than ever before. I’m now serving a 42-month sentence, and still have a 4 day trial for armed robbery.

This is very new to me. My crimes in the past would never escalate to this type of charge, not ever. At this point, I am on my knees, asking God for a change.

Please Lord, help me. I no longer want to be this man. I no longer want to hurt myself or my family. Here I am, Lord. I am yours. I am on my knees and I need you. Please show me mercy and kindness.

The next time I opened a Bible, a card fell out. The card was advertising Crossroads’ Bible studies. I thought I recognized Crossroads, so I filled it out and sent it in to start the course.

Not a lot of change came. I was pretty much the same man I was then. But I read and learned that I must forgive others before God can forgive me. This punched me in the face. All my years on earth, all my times in a church, I never knew this.

And so the work started amongst all the people I had to forgive. But the real work was when I figured out I had to forgive myself. I hold on to my hate very well. This, I feel, is what held me back. I had begun this process of forgiveness. I would look in the mirror (not often), and when I did I hated who I saw. I would snarl at myself like a rabid dog. I had no love for myself.

I was mad at God for this. I had to let go of all my hate. It took a while to start the process, but once I started, I found I could practice on others first — and little by little, focus on me.

I started to take care of myself. Self care and love was on my doorstep. I read more and learned more of the Word and I found something was changing my heart. For the first time in my life, I cared for myself. I forgave myself, as well as all others, and my heart opened up wide. Through the grace of God, I was saved.

I love studying my Bible and sharing the Word with anyone who will listen. Now, my life has no guilt, no lies, no stealing, and no violence. I want to be a good Christian. I’m aware of how I affect others. I’m fully aware of all my behaviours.

One of my blessings is that I ended up in a mental health unit. I had shown signs of mental disorder. What they saw was a broken down man detoxing off drugs. I needed a lot of help in my first few days inside.

I went to a unit with only eight cells in it — very quiet. No politics at all. This is where I started the work with God. I now do session with physiology and drug counsellors. Every day I get closer to God.

I love God today in ways I never thought possible. I’mv very blessed to have had all these events take place. I pray for guidance, knowledge, and wisdom. My union with God allows me to ask for such things.

I love Proverbs and all it offers. I don’t have one favourite verse — there are so many! Books of John through Mark, all of them. My issues are of living issues and being able to cope. This is all being taught now as I write this. I’m learning to love and be loved.

This journey here has only just started.

I feel God and I are working together for my very success. Every study I do touches me one way or another. I always get something from God’s word. I love to share with any other who will listen to me. I believe John 3:16 with all my heart.

Norm’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. Photo by Nick Cooper on Unsplash

I grew up in a good home. My parents are still together, and they treated me good. Our family is very close. We do everything together. We love bikes (we’re a Harley family). My family has been by my side from the start.

I got addicted to drugs and alcohol from an early age. It started interfering with my life. I started pushing friends and family away. But still, my family was right there, fighting for me.

I got into lots of bar fights and mischief, and ended up in the drunk tank a few times. I would make the worst choices when I was drunk. My drug use spun out of control over the years. I was using to live and living to use. I was moving from job to job. I was one of the best workers when I was there, but my attendance sucked. So I was always looking for a new job.

My parents were supporting me, and I would lie and cheat and steal from them to get my next fix. I always felt bad because I love them, but at the time, drugs were more important to me.

This went on for years, and I couldn’t take it. I thought about taking my life a few times. I tried talking and wrestling with God, but I didn’t get any answers I wanted to hear. So I would curse God. If there was a real God, how could all this bad happen to me? So I went on trying to live for myself.

I had a lot of good relationships with intimate partners, but my drug use got in the way of that as well. So I moved from one woman to the next. I suffered from depression for years. Still, my family was right there.

Then, over a two year period, I was out of control. I drank until I blacked out, and I violently offended, not remembering what I did. I went to remand (which is where they put you when you’re on bail or in custody), and I ended up getting bail.

I was released to treatment for four and a half months. I’ve been lean and sober ever since. I was on bail for four years, until I was found guilty and got sentenced to six and a half years.

A few months into my sentence, I picked up a Bible and started reading. I met this guy that spent eighteen years in prison, and the only thing he read was the Bible. He told me all kinds of stories from the Bible that made me curious. I figured if a man who was once a hardcore criminal believes, then maybe I should see what it’s all about.

So I started reading the Bible every day and started doing the Bible studies. I was excited to find that, when I completed them, I got feedback and encouragement — and sometimes I even got cool books to read!

As I did my studying and reading, I found that the way I view my life and people started to change. It made me hungry for more.

Then I started interacting with Christians! I liked how they acted. It was like they had an aura around them, always happy and friendly and willing to give you their time.

So I started going to church. I got involved in some church programs, and was studying the Bible with lessons I could get in the mail from every prison ministry I could find.

Soon, I’m going to get transferred to minimum security. The prison I’m in is a hard place, and I’ll be happy when I’m gone. The best part of this place is my chaplain. He is very good at what he does.

Through all this, I kept my faith growing. I am now a true believer. I’m so blessed and thankful for what Jesus has done for us, and am happy to know that I have a place in eternity with Him. I’ve just recently finished reading The Purpose Driven Life, and I’m on a mission to spread the Good News.

Photo by duncan adler on Unsplash. Harry’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.

I see now that I have needed my saviour all along, and even though I had rejected God and His ways, He was still there beside me, waiting for me to call on Him. I sit here today writing this, and I know that Jesus was rejoicing when I called upon Him. He probably said: “It is about time. I have been waiting for this moment.”

I am currently reading Lord, I Want to Be Whole by Stormie Omartian. I am going to the do the seven steps. First is to site and write down an inventory of my sins. (There will be so many.) Then, I will take this list and ask for the pastor at my church to lift it up to Jesus in prayer. After that, I will continue on with the steps.

My new journey with Jesus has just begun. I ended up in jail and confessed to the pastor in prison. What he said to me after my confession (while I was crying) impacted my life forever. He created in that moment my new life with Christ Jesus, my Redeemer, my Saviour, my God, my Father, and my everything. He said: “Cas, I forgive you, and so does God.”

I prayed. I went to chapel. I got to know a few sisters in Christ. My journey only got better and better. After completing several Bible courses, I met a lonely woman in jail named Lana. She encouraged me to do studies with Crossroads, as she was.

And here I am today, pouring my heart out and wanting to study more, learn more, and strive to know Jesus more.

I look forward to continuing my studies with Crossroads and having a mentor to connect with. Thank you for everything.

Cas’s name was changed to protect her privacy. Photo by Molly Belle on Unsplash.

After my arrest, I was literally suffocating from shame and guilt. I could not bear to see myself in the mirror, or even write my own name. In November 2018, I finally understood I could no longer continue to rely on my own devices, and I accepted that I needed help. I held on far too long to the false belief that I should not ask anyone for help for fear of betrayal or rejection.

Many friends and family came to visit me. They were all very supportive and happy to see me. I cried a lot with them. I could not understand how anyone could still have any love or kindness for me, as my self-esteem was at the lowest point it had ever been. I realized all of these people had one thing in common: they were all in touch with the Divine. I decided to look into this, and I started reading the Bible. I went to church and prayed with the chaplain.

Near the end of the year, a pastor friend visited, and he prayed with me and for me. At that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit come into my heart. The fear and anxiety I had felt for so long were replaced with peace and joy. That day I surrendered my life to God. I know God has a plan for me. I was not arrested — I was rescued. I changed my attitude, the way I look at myself and the way I look at others. I started to see with more clarity my weaknesses and my strengths, my faults and my qualities. I accepted that I was far from perfect, but more importantly that I no longer needed to be perfect.

Our differences connect us.

We belong the way we are… with all our imperfections. They define our humanity.

I started seeing all the proverbial elephants in the room, I opened the door and I started letting them out in the garden. Until a couple years ago, I thought I had everything I needed to be happy: a good education, good health, a good family, two great children, a beautiful home, a great career, and enough assets to retire comfortably. However, I was unhappy. Spirituality was missing.

I was a prisoner in my old wounds, of my fears of betrayal, rejection and abandonment, prisoner of my own self. Denial, justification, rationalization, minimization were all defence mechanisms I had been using to survive my childhood traumas. Paradoxically, I feel freer here behind bars than I ever felt in my life. The walls are not to prevent my escape (I would not escape even if there were no walls); rather they are there to protect me from the distractions from the outside world.

I am doing very important work; I am dying a little bit every day to my old self, to be reborn in Christ. Jesus loves me unconditionally. He will never reject, betray or abandon me.

When we know we’re loved because of who we are, we become healthier in mind and more intimate in expression. We’re freed from the fear of rejection and loosed from the anxiety to perform.

I go to church twice a week; I do Bible studies by correspondence with four organizations; I do group Bible studies with a chaplain once a week; I meet with chaplain John weekly; I pray often and read the Bible daily.

I feel very grateful to be here, for the opportunity to learn about and improve myself, and to heal from my past.

My pastor friend proposed I work with him in a Christian Centre helping refugees to adapt to their new life in Canada. I am very much looking forward to joining my new Christian family, from whom I will seek continuing help and guidance.

I feel the Holy Spirit is in my heart and I let Him guide me away from a life of self­-centeredness towards one of service to others. Peace and joy that come through faith are gradually replacing the fear of rejection, betrayal and abandonment. I now feel much more self-confident, with much less fear of emotional intimacy.

I have humbled myself and opened my heart. I am learning to love others and myself as God loves us, I am learning to love God in others and myself, I am learning to let myself become the ·instrument through which God loves us all.

I subconsciously thought denial was protecting me from my pain, but it has prolonged it, made it worse and caused it to be transformed into shame and guilt.

I was afraid to lose control of my life and I resisted change. I was afraid of the unexpected and I tried to control everything. I did not trust the future because my past had been so painful. I now recognize I had very little control on my life, and I realize I cannot continue leading my life as I have always done it: alone. Because alone, I am powerless.

I am recovering my freedom by accepting, identifying, recognizing and expressing my emotions. Since I now reveal my secrets in broad daylight, I can start the journey towards healing.

From being impatient, irritable, self-absorbed and taking myself too seriously, I am becoming patient, gentle, kind, joyful, grateful, humble, generous, and respectful of others and myself.

I used to be pessimistic, always looking for problems and with a negative attitude. I am now optimistic about my life and my future.

I have turned my life around 180°, and I now view others and myself in a completely new way. I have changed, from the limited viewpoint I had of my life to God’s much broader and hope-filled perspective.

Damon’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash.

However, I didn’t fully understand the choice I was making, and I was merely mimicking my bother. 1 John 3:10 says “Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God,” and I did a lot of things wrong after that. I never had any peace.

I was baptized shortly after that without any real understanding of the meaning of baptism. It was in my teenage years that I rebelled and turned my back on God and the church. 2 Peter 2:21 says “it would have been better for me not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn my back on the sacred command that was passed down to me.”

It’s not that I lost my salvation, but that I turned my back on God and falsely claimed my salvation. I got into drinking and drugs a lot in my early adult life. I got married to a divorced woman with three kids, and took on the role of daddy, all while hiding my problem.

Then came the day I got arrested, when my life spun our of control and became unmanageable. For two years, I held on to my false conversion, going through the motion, reading my Bible, praying, even doing Bible correspondence courses and pretending I was a Christian. I did all this while enduring inner turmoil, struggling with anger and resentment, and wondering why I did something so sickening.

Then, it finally clicked. I realized I was a lost sinner in need of God’s grace. I felt the empty gap where the Holy Spirit was. Because of my upbringing, I knew what I needed to do, so I prayed to the Lord. I gave my life to Him, surrendering my life to His will. That was the best decision I ever made.

I received lasting peace for the first time. I went through a total life transformation. The anger disappeared, along with the urge to drink and use drugs. I went from being shy and introverted to warm and outgoing. From severe anxiety to next to none. From misery to contentment with my circumstances.

What can I say? The Lord is real and He is good. I love doing Crossroads’ correspondence courses. They challenge me when I feel too comfortable with my knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. God bless.

Peter’s story has been edited for clarity, and his name has been changed to protect his privacy. Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash.

In the last year, we served 2,852 prisoners seeking to learn more about Jesus in 100 prisons across Canada. We celebrated 1,262 graduates from our program. Even better: 1,080 new prisoners joined our program for the first time!

We also purchased and shipped 3,134 Bibles, and 5,155 Bible Manga Books.

But here’s the best part: we facilitated the exchange of 13,697 letters between prisoners and mentors in the past year. That averages to about 37 letters a day, 365 days a year. That’s 1-2 letters every hour, non, stop, for an entire year.

That’s a lot of growth for us. In fact, if this level of growth continues, we’ll reach 10-15% of the entire prison population in Canada in 2020.

That’s a pretty sensational year.

None of this would be possible without the work of our donors and our mentors. To God, we owe everything, but we wouldn’t have a ministry to be grateful for if it weren’t for the continued support of donors and mentors.

For that, we thank all of you.

We’re looking forward to an exciting 2020, but in the meantime, we want to thank God and give Him all the glory for our 2019. And thank you for coming alongside us on this mission, and doing the work of the Lord in prisons all over Canada.

Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash

Looking ahead, Crossroads is eager to create an impact in more students like John in 2020. Will you join us? If you are interested in being a part of the radical work that God is doing in prisons across Canada, please consider becoming a mentor or giving a monthly gift to Crossroads.