The mission of Crossroads is to glorify God, fulfill the Great Commission, and make disciples of those in prison. Although the primary objective of this ministry is the eternal salvation of those we minister to, we also seek to bear the temporary afflictions and burdens of those in prison. We believe that there is no sin too grave or too insignificant for our Lord to overcome, and with His help, those impacted by crime and incarceration can become productive members of society and fellow workers in the building of God’s kingdom. We believe that through the power of the cross, and the Lord’s love that shines through His people, we can be the light that helps those in prison see life from a biblical worldview.
The apostle Paul penned these words: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news’ ! (Romans 10:13–15, ESV)
While quoting Joel 2:32 and Isaiah 52:7, Paul reiterates some particularly important truths that bookend a series of rhetorical questions. First, from the prophecy of Joel, the Lord promises that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32; see also Romans 0:13). This prophecy has been fulfilled through the person and work of Jesus Christ, and as Peter makes clear in his address before the Jewish leaders, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Second, Paul poses the questions, how can “they call on him in whom they have not believed?” and how can “they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” (v. 14a). People can only believe and call upon the name of Jesus after they hear about Him, but Paul presents another series of questions, “how are they to hear without someone preaching?” and “how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (v. 14b-15a). People can only hear when someone preaches the Good News. Douglas Moo expounds upon this passage stating that while Paul clearly assumes it needs to be done, he is not calling upon the church to send out missionaries. What Paul is attempting to say is that God has already sent His people out to preach the Good News. God has sent Crossroads to preach the Good News of the Gospel to those in prison, and as Paul proclaims, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News (v. 15).
