1. The Bible is God’s Word; we can rely on it to guide us.

The Holy Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments, as originally given by God, are divinely inspired, wholly true and entirely trustworthy. They are the supreme, eternal authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:160; Hebrews 4:12

2. There is one true God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

There is only one living and true God, the Creator of all things, who is eternal and exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1; John 1:1–3; Matthew 3:16–17; John 10:30; John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14

3. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.

Jesus Christ is God embodied in the flesh. He is the Lord over all creation and the head of the Church, and we are called to submit to Him in every part of our lives. He was fully God and fully human, was born to a virgin, lived a sinless human life and performed divine miracles. Through His substitutionary and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and His work as the only mediator between God and all humanity, He has given us the gift of salvation. He now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father and will come again in power and glory. John 1:1–4; Colossians 1:15–20; Romans 10:9–10; Hebrews 7:25–27

4 The Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to follow Christ.

The Holy Spirit is God and the giver of life. The Spirit is sent from the Father and the Son, spoke through the prophets, unifies the Church and provides spiritual gifts designed to build up the Body of Christ. The Spirit dwells in believers, intercedes on their behalf, seals their salvation and enables and empowers them to witness to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and live a godly life. John 14:26; Luke 12:11–12; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Romans 8:10–16, 26–27; Ephesians 1:13–14; Titus 3:5

5. Every person is made in God’s image, but because of sin, every person needs salvation.

Every person is created in God’s image and designed to have a relationship with God. But because of both original and personal sin, that relationship is broken, and all of humanity is separated from God, who is the source of all life. Therefore, everyone deserves God’s judgment and needs His salvation. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8

6. We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ, not by anything we can do.

We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ and His blood that was shed on the cross, not through anything we can do on our own. The Holy Spirit calls us to repent and have faith in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection secures our salvation.
Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 John 1:9; Romans 3:21–28; Romans 5:1–11; John 3:16

7. The dead will be resurrected.

The resurrection of both the lost and the saved will occur when Christ returns. Those who are lost will go to eternal punishment, but those who are saved in Christ will be resurrected to eternal life with God. John 5:28–29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; Revelation 20:12–15; 1 Peter 1:3–5

8. We are called to be unified in Christ with all believers.

We are called to be one in Christ as the Church, the Body of Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:4–6; John 17:18–23; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, 25–26; Romans 12:4–5

9. We are called to work with one another to share the message of the Gospel.

The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus to the world, to make disciples of all people, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to teach those who believe to obey everything Christ commands. Matthew 28:18–20, Acts 1:8; John 20:21; Romans 10:14–15; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20; Isaiah 42:6–7

Honour the God-given dignity in all people

Recognizing that everyone bears the image of God, we unconditionally respect, love and accept all people. We endeavour to restore dignity that the criminal justice system has removed, believing that God offers redemption and renewed purpose to each person who is incarcerated. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

Treasure God’s Word

We center our lives and our ministry around the belief that, through the Gospel, God changes lives. As we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we also provide the Gospel message to incarcerated people around the world in a way that helps them understand it and apply it to their lives. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Serve churches around the world

We equip and empower the Church outside correctional facilities to fulfil God’s call to remember those who are incarcerated. We provide resources to help churches grow spiritually and develop mutually enriching relationships with incarcerated men and women around the world. “Then the righteous will answer him, … ‘When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:37–40).

Fulfil our mission with excellence and urgency

Because we are aware of the great need for God’s love in dark places throughout the world, we aim to accomplish all our endeavours with excellence and with intentional urgency. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23–24).

Steward resources faithfully and partner intentionally

We faithfully steward the financial and human resources God has given us and use them in a way that ensures the greatest benefit to His Kingdom. While recognizing our ministry’s strengths and abilities, we also seek to partner with others in humility and transparency to maximize our reach and impact. “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).

Pray continually

Because we believe that prayer is powerful, we regularly bring our praises, laments and requests to God, both individually and collectively. We encourage everyone involved in the ministry to practice the spiritual discipline of prayer. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Mission

Crossroads connects people in prisons with mentors from churches to develop Christ-centered relationships as they study God’s Word together.

Vision

Crossroads envisions a world in which the Church answers God’s call to remember people who are incarcerated by cultivating Christ-centered relationships through which God transforms lives, prisons and churches throughout the world.