By Paige Deur  |  July 1, 2024

Jack’s early life was fraught with neglect and emotional abuse. His parents were distant and dismissive, often prioritizing their free time over his well-being. As a child, video games became his primary companion, as he was rarely allowed to spend time with friends.

On his sixteenth birthday, his parents took him to McDonald’s. Instead of treating him to a celebratory meal, they left him there with a job application, demanding rent from his first paycheck.

Jack’s perception of family and faith, tainted by his upbringing, led to hardships and struggles as he became a husband and father. For years, he had been skeptical of Christianity, viewing it as restrictive and uninteresting.

“It wasn’t until I found myself in jail that I finally gave my heart to God, and I noticed little by little the changes that I never thought possible,” he wrote. “An older man in the pod I was in at the first jail came to me one night, when my daughter was on my mind and it was getting to me to the point where I was on the verge of tears, and asked me if he could take me to his cell and pray with me.”

Moved by the encounter, Jack picked up a Bible and began to read it that evening. Later, after being transferred to prison, he discovered a Crossroads lesson under the mat of his former cellmate’s bed.

“I immediately began [to fill it out],” he said. “The words of encouragement from mentors have been wonderful and made me feel like somebody actually cares. I am far from used to that, which is why when one mentor told me she had my name on her fridge, it was very impactful to me. I realize now that God has brought genuine and honestly caring people around me for the first time.”

When a Crossroads student completes a course, they are asked to fill out a questionnaire and provide feedback. After reading the following note on a questionnaire completed by Jack, a student in Virginia, we reached out to him to learn more about his story. The note reads, “Every one of those letters brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart, which is rare these days considering my current surroundings. The last one I received from Mary especially helped and even brought a tear to my eye when she told me that she has my name on her refrigerator to remind her to pray for me. I hope she knows how much I appreciate that.”

Although he goes through days of feeling alone and unloved, Crossroads mentors are a source of comfort and affirmation for Jack. The letters from mentors remind him that he is a beloved child of God. Just as his name hangs on one mentor’s fridge, her letter still hangs on his wall, a constant reminder of the support he has received.

The first course he took, Who Are You?, was eye-opening, helping him understand his past and embrace the new person he has become in Christ.

“I have been able to see the bigger reasoning behind both the struggles in my life before my current incarceration [and] the prison time itself. Now I see that God has been calling to me in little ways for many years now, but I was too far enslaved to sin to be able to truly notice,” he shared.

Jack’s testimony is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the importance of support and mentorship. Jack remains grateful for the kindness and encouragement he has received and looks forward to continuing his studies.