CROSSROADS PRISON MINISTRIES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Director of Church Mobilization
Alaina has worked for Crossroads Prison Ministries since 2017. She joined the team supporting our volunteer mentors, and now she serves as the Assistant to the Director of Church Mobilization. Alaina enjoys spending time at coffee shops, traveling and exploring new places, and going on family walks with her husband, son, and dog.
Job Titles:
- Mentor Program Coordinator
Alexis joined the Crossroads church mobilization team in 2021 as the mentor program coordinator. She graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in social work. When she's not working, you can find Alexis drinking a chai tea latte, snowboarding, taking care of her houseplants or reading a good fiction book. Alexis loves working at Crossroads because the staff is like-minded in helping people in the local and global community learn more about the great news of the Gospel!
Job Titles:
- Employee
- Ministry Strategic Analyst
Alicia is a remote employee on the Crossroads team, working from her home in Indiana. As a certified pro for Asana, Alicia provides project and program management support for the programming teams. In her free time, she loves playing the piano, doing art projects and gardening. Alicia is married to Mark, a pastor in the CRCNA and chaplain for the Michigan Army National Guard. Together, they have two adorable puppies, love to hike and dream of traveling the world.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Advancement
Allis Gilbert joined Crossroads Prison Ministries in March 2024.
Over the past seventeen years, Allis has spent her post-military career in the nonprofit sector. Allis believes in mission-driven work and has a passion for service.
In 2011, Allis left the Army after five years as a captain. She earned her doctorate in education focusing on organizational change and leadership from Southern California University.
She has been married to her husband, Allen, for eighteen years and has one daughter. She has spent time in various areas of the country but has always called the Midwest home. She loves to sail, camp, and hike with her family; when not exploring, she can be found in her garden or reading a book.
Amy joined the Crossroads team in 2014. As copy editor, she enjoys using her eye for detail to hone and polish the written documents and publications produced by the ministry. She also shares student stories through blog posts and assists with international and domestic translation projects. Amy and her husband, Kyle, have a collection of more than two hundred board games. In addition to game nights with friends, she enjoys live theatre-whether performing onstage or watching from the audience-and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
Before joining Crossroads, Anne was the executive director at Tent Schools International. She joined Tent Schools as the communications and marketing director in early 2019, and she continued in that capacity when she assumed the executive director role in 2021. Before entering the nonprofit industry, she worked in public relations, and she spent several years as a daily newspaper reporter and editor. She is also the author of Saving Lee, Finding Grace, a memoir about years spent curing her youngest child of a rare illness. Anne holds a bachelor's degree from Calvin University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois. Outside of work, Anne serves on several education and community boards. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family.
Bernice has worked at Crossroads in various capacities since 2000, currently serving as the operations manager. She has been connected to Crossroads since she was a child, when she remembers coming home at her nightly curfew to find her mother reviewing Crossroads lessons. One of her favorite things about her job is reading student testimonies of how studying God's Word with Crossroads has changed their lives. When not working, Bernice enjoys watching football with her family (Go Blue! Go Pack Go!) or reading one of the 900-plus books in her personal library.
Job Titles:
- Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church Teaneck, NJ
Job Titles:
- Director of International Ministries
Brian is passionate about developing, equipping and empowering global leaders. As director of international ministries, he enjoys using his experience in church ministry, business and international missions to further Crossroads' global vision. In his free time, Brian loves traveling with his wife and spending time with family at his cottage on the Little Manistee River in northern Michigan.
Secretary | Business Consultant, former VP of Merchandising at Family Christian Stores | Grand Rapids, MI
Job Titles:
- Director of Church Mobilization
Douglas Cupery joined Crossroads Prison Ministry in March 2017 as the Director of Church Mobilization.
Job Titles:
- Founder of ZC Consulting Houston, TX
Eliezer has been a nomad all his life. He was born in Toronto, Canada, to Malaysian-Chinese and Filipino immigrants, but grew up as a missionary kid in Davao City, Philippines, and Chiang Mai, Thailand. He holds a bachelor of arts in graphic design from Calvin University. Eliezer assists the Crossroads communications team by designing digital and print materials and overseeing the Crossroads Prison Art Project. He has a passion for the Toronto Raptors and collecting sneakers. In his free time, he enjoys exploring different foods and places.
Job Titles:
- Mentor Program Coordinator
Elizabeth was born and raised in central Michigan and obtained a degree in business management from Ferris State University. She became a mother shortly after graduation and spent the next several years raising her two girls as a stay-at-home mom. In 2023, Elizabeth joined the Crossroads team as a mentor program coordinator, so if you call the office with a question about mentoring, she might be the one to take your call! Although she has traveled all over the country and lived in many places, she is glad to be back in West Michigan near family. She loves doing home improvement projects, spending time outdoors, camping, going to the beach, and enjoying all the beautiful scenery Michigan has to offer.
Job Titles:
- CEO, Community Mental Health, St. Joseph County, MI ( Retired ) Sturgis, MI
Vice Chair | Pastor, The Father's House | Atlanta, GA
Jane has served Crossroads Prison Ministries since 2019 in the office of President/CEO primarily offering administrative support. She comes to Crossroads with 25 years of administrative experience from being in the Christian publishing/retail industry. She is humbled to be part of the transforming power of the Gospel in the lives of Crossroads students as she serves in her role. Hanging out by a campfire making S-more's and cooking in the kitchen are her happy places. Jane is a witness to how God continues to bless the ministry through many who catch the vision and answer the call to come along side and serve those living behind bars, through Crossroads Prison Ministries.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Crossroads Kenya Director
Crossroads Kenya director Jefferson Gathu and his enthusiastic, dedicated group of mentors deliver the Crossroads program to students in twelve key prisons. As of 2020, they have sixty mentors and 330 students. As in other developing nations, they not only take Bible study lessons and encouraging letters to students in prison but also provide them with basic necessities through partnerships with other ministries. Crossroads Kenya seeks to continue expanding its outreach by implementing a reentry assistance program. In addition to his work with Crossroads, Gathu also serves as the director of an organization that provides Christian literature for native tribes in Kenya and other parts of Africa.
Jen has a degree in organizational leadership from Southeastern University, so serving as the business manager at Crossroads is a natural fit for her. Jen loves sports and openly confesses that she "bleeds green." If there is a Michigan State game on, especially football or basketball, she'll be watching. She also loves to travel, explore new places and drink lots of coffee.
Jerry comes to Crossroads with five years of experience working at Mel Trotter Ministries' homeless shelter in downtown Grand Rapids. For the last thirteen years, he has volunteered at various jails and prisons in Michigan, sharing the Gospel with men and women inside. A coffee connoisseur, Jerry also enjoys camping, hiking, golfing, reading and spending time with his five grandchildren and his wife of thirty-eight years.
Job Titles:
- Retired Chaplain, Federal Bureau of Prisons Lexington, KY
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the LEADERSHIP Team
- President
Joe Pryor became the president and CEO of Crossroads Prison Ministries in February 2022.
Joe has dedicated much of his professional career to prison ministry. He joins Crossroads with thirty years of experience in corrections, including time spent as the chief chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, senior director of reentry services, warden and assistant warden. Before taking his first chaplain position, Joe earned his master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from Marshall University. Along with his chaplaincy career, Joe has served as the senior pastor of three churches.
Joe and his wife, Vickie, love spending time with their three grown children and six grandchildren.
"I love the purity of the Crossroads mission," Joe said. "Bringing the Gospel to incarcerated men and women around the world and matching them with Christian mentors is truly life-changing. I am humbled and honored to serve alongside the dedicated staff, mentors, board and volunteers of Crossroads Prison Ministries."
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Programming
John joined the Crossroads team in February 2021, bringing thirty years of experience in prison and jail ministry to his role as director of student programming. He draws on his background in prison program design and curriculum development as he works to improve the Crossroads student experience. John and his wife, Sue, have twin daughters and, as of 2021, two grandchildren. He is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jonathan moved to the United States for high school and college. Immediately after obtaining his degree in business marketing management from Calvin University in 2023, Jonathan joined the Crossroads team as a digital media specialist. His love for the outdoors blossomed during his high school years in Colorado, where he developed a deep passion for all outdoor activities, especially fly fishing, camping, overlanding, and mountain biking.
Jose Garza was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a degree in digital art and design. After a year of working as a freelance designer, he joined the Crossroads team as a digital media specialist. He assists the communications team by designing digital and print work for Crossroads and maintaining the Crossroads website. When he's not designing, Jose enjoys watching movies, painting, reading comics and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Bilingual Manager of Mentor Support & Training
José was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States when he was eleven years old. He serves both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking mentors as part of the mentor support team at Crossroads. A lifelong learner, he is always looking to gain more biblical knowledge and he is currently working toward obtaining a business degree. He is grateful for the opportunity to work at a place whose main goal is to care for those whom society tends to forget. In his free time, Jose enjoys lifting weights, playing sports, watching movies, listening to music and meeting new people. His happiest moments are the times when he gets to share God's Word with others.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Major Initiatives
With a BA in business and accounting from Calvin College and 30 years of business experience, JR lives for financials, budgets, forecasts-anything that can live in a spreadsheet. Before coming to Crossroads in 2015, he worked for 23 years in the private corrections industry, managing finances and operations of multiple facilities across the country. He has been married to his wife, Laura, for 30 years and has twin daughters who are both Calvin grads. He's a native of Chicago but grew up in Colorado, where he developed a passion for the Rockies, Broncos and University of Colorado Buffaloes.
Job Titles:
- Bilingual Mentor Program Coordinator
Karina was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States when she was fifteen. She joined Crossroads in 2022, serving as the bilingual mentor program coordinator. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Crossroads team and to be able to use the gifts God has given her as she looks for every possible way to share God's love. In her free time, Karina enjoys cooking, cleaning, volunteering with the children's ministry at her church, making memories with her new husband, Jonathan, and spoiling Deuce, her neighbors' dog.
Director Lahai Kargbo opened his home to two released juveniles so they would not have to return to the streets. Since then, Lahai has taken in even more released juveniles who were left orphaned by the mudslides that barreled through the country in August 2017. Lahai himself grew up as an orphan, so his heart aches for juveniles who are released with no home or family to return to.
Linda is passionate about breathing life and hope into individuals struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, excessive criminal history and homelessness. A graduate of Hope College, she has used her education degree to teach people in prison about the relevancy of God's Word and the full life He offers them. Linda assists in managing grants and proposals that support those who are incarcerated and desperately need God's living hope. Linda has three sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, four grandchildren and an English golden retriever she calls her "baby." She enjoys gardening, seed harvesting and spring planting. She believes gardening is much like our personal lives because no matter how "dead" something may seem, God is all about bringing dead things to life in the right season-what hope!
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Operations Coordinator
As a volunteer operations coordinator for Crossroads, Liz manages the schedules and workloads of the volunteers who serve at the home office each week. The Crossroads operations center runs smoothly and efficiently, and Liz attributes it to the volunteers' dedication and belief in the ministry. When she does get time away, she enjoys traveling with her husband. Liz also loves spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Retired Secretary of Corrections Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Job Titles:
- Director of Crossroads Benin
Founded in 2013, Crossroads Tanzania grew from the ministry of the Norbert and Friends Missions. Crossroads Tanzania has touched hundreds of lives in prisons across six regions of Tanzania, teaching the Word of God and providing students with Bibles and study materials. In the Rukwa, Tabora, Dodoma, Kigoma, Singida and Morogoro regions, Crossroads Tanzania reaches students who speak Swahili and English. Director Norbert Mbwiliza rejoices in the fruit of Crossroads' work, as many former students have now planted churches.
Job Titles:
- Content & Social Media Specialist
Paige graduated from Calvin College (now University) with a degree in history and social studies education. After a few years of teaching and spending a year on the World Race serving in eleven different countries, Paige felt called out of the classroom to help serve populations that are often overlooked by society. This desire led her to Crossroads. After a year of working in the operations department processing the thousands of letters and lessons that come into the office every week, Paige transitioned to the communications department. She loves being able to share the stories that Crossroads has been entrusted with. In her spare time, she loves to read, looks for opportunities to travel and spends time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Crossroads Singapore
Robert loves people and is always looking for ways to pass along a smile! A West Michigan native with an extensive sales and marketing background and a passion for prison ministry, Robert looks forward to growing relationships with mission support volunteers, mentors and donors across the country. Years ago, Robert was introduced to Crossroads while he was behind bars, and he will never forget the kindness and love that he felt with each returned letter. He and his wife, Heidi, enjoy spending time with family (especially the grandkids), running, camping, traveling, meeting new people and hearing their stories.
A Florida native, Samantha has been living in Michigan for the past six years with her husband and their two dogs, Yoda and Leia. With a background in the dental field, she finds joy in caring for others and loves making those around her smile and laugh. When she has free time, you can find her exploring Michigan sights, hanging out in her home gym or singing/songwriting. Sam joined Crossroads in 2022 as the business/volunteer coordinator, and she feels blessed to have the opportunity to use the gifts God gave her to further His Kingdom!
Chair | President & Founder of BLOOM Brand Strategies, LLC | Leesburg, VA
Steve grew up in Puerto Rico, where he was known as "Esteban." He later moved to East Texas and served as an interpreter with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). While serving with YWAM, he met and married Susan, who is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1998 to be closer to family. Shortly afterwards, Steve began serving as director of a small neighborhood ministry in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in southwest Grand Rapids. Steve now is the translations manager for Crossroads Prison Ministries, serving extension centers throughout the world.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Steve joined the Crossroads team as operations coordinator in 2023. He has been married to his wife, Barb, for twenty years, and they have one teenage son. Steve and his family are actively involved in their church and enjoy trips to the lakeshore every summer. Steve's hobbies include sports, movies, and reading.
Treasurer | Founder & Executive Chairman, Baruch Senior Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI
Job Titles:
- Acting Director
- Chairman of the Board
Wynnielle was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. She is a true renaissance woman who loves to cook, plan parties, and weld! When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughters and traveling.