2013 Spring - Crossroad Bible Institute

Crossroad
SPRING 2013
NETWORK NEWS
INSIDE
Office Volunteers Honored
CBI India Launched
See What God's
Doing Through You!
by H. David Schuringa
V
iolent crime has been in decline for the last twenty years, a
trend unpredicted by experts. Nobody knows why for sure,
but according to the Washington Post, there are several prominent
theories.
The tough-on-crime theory links declining crime rates to tougher
policing and higher incarceration rates. However, in light of staggering
recidivism rates and the negative social effects of warehousing young
men, most are hesitant to confirm this link with any certainty.
An abortion link is posited based on the premise that unwanted
children experience a higher risk of becoming criminals. The
correlation accounts for the decline in crime during what
would have been the crime-committing years, i.e., about twenty
years after abortion. Of course, measuring what people who
were not born would have done is difficult.
Then there is the controversial theory based on the elimination of
lead in gasoline and paint, since lead has been found to stimulate
criminal conduct in those exposed to the substance as children.
However, this is likewise considered non-disprovable, a scientific
non-starter. The Post also names other theories, such as changing
neighborhood demographics and a rise in gun-toting citizens.
continued on page 2
continued from page 1
But the experts may have overlooked a possible link. Over the last twenty years, prison
ministry has finally gotten back on the church’s agenda. There are not only large, national
ministries dedicated to helping inmates but also thousands of smaller groups and churches going into prisons and jails to bring the Good News.
A suggestion of a correlation can be discovered by comparing the relentless, twenty-year
growth of Crossroad Bible Institute’s imprisoned student body and the decline of crime
during the same time period. Crossroad’s program could be seen as a reflection of the
entire church’s stepped-up efforts to remember those in prison (Hebrews 13:3). The link is
certainly as plausible as abortion, lead or increased incarceration rates, if not more so, considering Dr. Byron Johnson’s compelling studies indicating reduced recidivism rates
among discipled prisoners.
Surely there is no one reason crime rates are dropping, but let’s give
credit where credit is due. What you are doing as volunteer Instructors,
office volunteers, donors and staff is making a lasting difference.
Dr. Schuringa serves as the president of Crossroad Bible Institute.
A version of this article appeared on www.thinkchristian.net.
Ask your church
to take an offering
for CBI!
2
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Spring 2013 Newsletter
C
r
Faithful Service Behind the Scenes:
CBI’s Office Volunteers
by Erin Zoutendam
“
”
I want to make a difference!
—Ann, Office Volunteer
I
f you drop by CBI’s Grand Rapids headquarters or
any of the satellite offices, you’re certain to encounter
a number of smiling faces, all toiling away. These are
the office volunteers, the often unsung heroes of CBI.
While Instructors are grading lessons from their homes
and churches across the world, office volunteers live
near one of the ministry’s distribution centers and
serve there, ensuring that operations run smoothly,
day after day.
CBI’s volunteers serve in a variety of ways: some
address envelopes and prepare mailings, while others
review lessons and record scores. Indeed, every lesson
that arrives safely at its destination does so because of
an office volunteer’s generous service.
These selfless gifts of time and labor have proven
invaluable to CBI. Because of the 456 volunteers who
gave 32,794 hours of service last year, CBI was able to
operate on a lean budget, providing lessons to prisoners at no cost and directing available funds to areas of
need.
Jan VanderVeen, CBI’s office manager, comments, “We
are exceedingly grateful for our volunteers. Their
faithful service ensures that people in prison around
the world can study God’s Word.”
Crossroad Bible Institute • www.CBI.fm
The office volunteers in the United States are joined by
brothers and sisters who are working away in the satellite offices across the globe. Overseas, volunteers
process lessons, answer phones, serve as bookkeepers
and even deliver lessons to the prisons by hand.
CBI New Zealand director Peggy Landkroon comments, “Without our office volunteers, CBI New
Zealand would not be able to run efficiently, nor
would it be able to grow.”
CBI’s volunteers are also seeing the fruit of their labor.
They know that their time is making a difference, and
they love being part of the Holy Spirit’s work.
“As a volunteer, I have read thousands of comments
and letters from students,” says Neil, a faithful office
volunteer. “The CBI lessons have changed the lives of
so many. I am thankful to be a part of this effective
ministry.”
And Crossroad Bible Institute is thankful
for you, volunteers. Your tireless service
is humbling, and we are blessed by your
partnership. Thank you.
Erin Zoutendam serves as the associate
editor in the Center for Advanced Studies.
3
Thank You,
16 YEARS
Ethel Brunger
Glenn Hartger
Gert Rotman
15 YEARS
Lillian DeBoer
Joel Mulder
Marian VanderKuyl
Terry VerHage
Lois Walburg
14 YEARS
Alvin Dykhuizen
Fran Huisman
Elsie Schafer
Pearl VanderHart
13 YEARS
Alma Beltman
Harold Beltman
Dorothy Bonnema
Betty Haun
Maxine Hiemstra
Ron Hillegonds
Tom Jansma
Mary Kimber
Terry Nyenhuis
Connie Prince
Charlotte Veenstra
12 YEARS
Marjorie Alberda
Carolyn Brandsen
Roger Brandsen
Kathryn Bronsink
Jane Buiten
Anita Collins
Ida DeJong
Marge DeYoung
Gert Dykema
Anne Faber
Barb Francoys
Dot Hager
Millie Harkema
Eunice Jonkman
Jake Jonkman
Dan Koetsier
Doris Koetsier
Elinor Koetsier
Dorothy Koop
Grace Lankheet
Howard Lankheet
Millie Lankheet
Muriel Norden
Ruth Post
Mary Schultze
Marilyn Talsma
Les VandenHoek
Merle Vis
Neil Vogel
Chris Wielenga
—Esthe
4
11 YEARS
Kay Sikkema
Dorothy Tamminga
Marion Tiemeyer
Anna Mae Top
Chet Top
Betty VanderMeer
Marge Woltjer
Anne Bruinsma
(Australia)
Marie Doornbos
Janet Katsma
Don Kuipers
Esther Kunzi
Mae Mulder
Karla Randle
Ann Slager
Thelma Walcott
9 YEARS
10 YEARS
Hermie Besselsen
Barb Boersma
Martin Boersma
Delores DeKok
Ray Hoekzema
(Australia)
Cecile Istacy (Australia)
Howard Johnson
Marian Johnson
Betty Kooman
Jim Kooman
Esther Nawyn
Pauline Peterson
or
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“
Office Volunteers,
For Your Service!
”
Jo DeJonge
Anna DeYoung
Nelson DeYoung
Jen Dykstra
John Fischer
Barb Houck
Bart Huisman
Ev Mohr
Robert Otte
Betty VanderWoude
Vicki VanLiere
Lois Veldkamp
Carol VerWoert
Mae Visser
8 YEARS
Jo Brink
Bob Bulten
Jo Duyst
Barbara Engels
Ronald Engels
Jaltina Kehr
Ruth Kooiker
Linda Morris
Kathy Oosse
Barbara Penning
Stu Penning
Roger VanDuinen
Laurie VanDyke
Joanne VanDyken
7 YEARS
Alma DeKock
Alie Glas
Gordon Groenink
Barbara Grooters
Lorraine Johnson
Peggy Landkroon
(New Zealand)
Norma Lotterman
Muriel Moelker
Lois Morren
Antonio Luis Prieto
Surmay (Colombia)
Bob Theule
Bev Thompson
Kathryn Veldheer
Verla Walters
6 YEARS
Bill Docter
Esther Dykstra
Arlene Egedy
Janet Fischer
Gloria Houtsma
Lois Kunz
Anne Robinson
(New Zealand)
Gary Roskam
Alf Smit
Helen Smit
Emerson Wilson
(Nicaragua)
Martina Wilson
(Nicaragua)
Laura Zandstra
Spring 2013 Newsletter
C
r
“
”
I love to give back to God for all His blessings in the past and present.
5 YEARS
Arlene Cook
Mae DeBoer
Dave Hager
Anne Penning
Anne Pudney
(New Zealand)
Sunny Roberts (Nigeria)
Sharon VanderKamp
Bill Vermaas
Joan Walcott
Judy Zwiers
Jim Zylstra
Marty Zylstra
4 YEARS
Angel Aguirre (Ecuador)
Elaine Aukeman
Janet Bakelaar
Bruce Bond (Australia)
Marlene Bonilla
(Ecuador)
Mandy Boone
Diane DeBoer
Carol DeKorte
Nellie denDulk
Chet Feyen
Myrna Feyen
Arlyn Holstege
Lois Holstege
Samira Istacy (Australia)
Carla Kaijser
(New Zealand)
Irma Koetje
Arlene Kooiker
Betty Kunzi
—Gloria, Office Volunteer
Millie Lanser
Mary Nabozny
Hudson Nyenhuis
David Ofosuhene
(Ghana)
Marge Ortman
Sherman Ortman
Butch Penning
Jerry Swanson
Paul Tan (Singapore)
Chad Tubergen
Mary VanDerWiele
Herm VanLaar
Ida VanWingerden
Diana Wellwood
(New Zealand)
John Wittigen
3 YEARS
Hennie Albers
Betty Bennink
Missy Boone
Samuel Chege (Kenya)
Laurene Currie
(Australia)
Anne Dykema
Lurene Evoy
Jefferson Gathu (Kenya)
Marilyn Jones
Allan Jongsma
Joyce Jongsma
Kathy Kamps
Lois Kooistra
Diane Kramer (New
Zealand)
Libby Lopez (Nicaragua)
Marian Mulder
Roger Mulder
Yvonne Mulder
Gilbert Mwamba
(Zambia)
Faith Ndambi (Kenya)
Matthew Savage
(United Kingdom)
Jean Schutte
Amelia Simpson
(Australia)
Jack Simpson (Australia)
Arlene VanderMeer
Keneth Wahinja (Kenya)
2 YEARS
Cora Bezuidenhout
(South Africa)
Doug Bonnema
Bethany DeRuiter
Heather DeRuiter
Karen DeRuiter
June Germeraad
Doris Gritter
Tami Groenink
Kim Hekman Moran
(Guatemala)
Kathy King (New
Zealand)
Mary Lakeland
(Australia)
Philomena Loh
(Singapore)
Larry Nienhuis
Dawn Palma
Ethel Schierbeek
Eylene Schmidt
Crossroad Bible Institute • www.CBI.fm
“
me
Cade
Schumaker
Vera Treacher (New
Zealand)
June Van Farowe
Winnie VanHill
Nancy Westrate
Christina Zandstra
1 YEAR
Laurie Bos
Bob Carigon
Greta Carigon
Hessel DeJong
Norma DeJong
Beth Finkbiner (Canada)
Joyce Hafer
Chongkholun Haokip
(India)
Alica Jacobs (Canada)
Bonita Lubberts
Karen Lubberts
Carol Mark (Canada)
Jane Manion (Canada)
Barbara Nysse
Taylor Nysse
Fran Percival (Canada)
Ken Percival (Canada)
Alice Robinson
(New Zealand)
It is
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Honthing
Siro (India)
Teke Swartzel
Ramung Vashi (India)
Helen VanderBaan
Brandon VanderMeer
(Canada)
Chelsea VanderMeer
(Canada)
Hildegard VanNiekerk
(Canada)
GROUPS
Freedom Christian
High School
Holland Heights CRC
Messiah CRC
Youth Group
South Christian
High School
TASC Youth
from the URC
Unity Christian
High School
IN MEMORY
Neal DeYoung (9 years)
Ethel VandenHoek (12
years)
5
NEWS
IN THE
CBI Launches Newest Campus: CBI India
MANIPUR, India—CBI proudly announces the launch of its newest
satellite campus, CBI India. The satellite is directed by Mathotmi Vasha,
a national missionary with the Manipur Baptist Convention in Northeast
India. Currently, twenty volunteer Instructors correct lessons completed
by twenty-nine active students, all of whom are grateful recipients of
Bibles provided by CBI’s Bibles for Prisoners Program.
Director Vasha reports that several students have been baptized and that
nine have already completed Great Truths of the Bible. CBI India also has
plans to expand into the Imphal women’s jail and two halfway and rehabilitation houses.
First Student Graduates from CBI Mandarin Course
SINGAPORE—CBI is celebrating the first graduate of the new Mandarin
Bible study courses. Song Hwee is a resident at the Breakthrough
Missions halfway house in Singapore and is grateful to be a part of the
CBI program. “With God’s help, not only was I able to finish the course,”
Song Hwee said, “but I was the first to receive a diploma!”
The CBI Mandarin translation project for Tier 1 was completed and
launched in 2012, and work continues on the Tier 2 courses. The new
translation also has potential for use in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
and Cambodia.
Seminar Focuses on Child Prisoners in Sierra Leone
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—At a recent seminar for continuing education,
deputy director for international development Cynthia Williams reported
on the life-threatening conditions faced by child prisoners in Sierra
Leone. These children face starvation and abuse while in prison and
are often released back onto the streets without so much as the clothes
on their backs.
Williams also reported on the success of CBI Sierra Leone and its director,
Lahai Kargbo, who was instrumental in reducing the number of beatings
administered to child prisoners. Currently, Kargbo is working with rehabilitative programs to prevent released children from returning to crime.
6
Spring 2013 Newsletter
C
r
Over Half of CBI Nicaragua Students Receive
Diplomas
ESTELÌ, Nicaragua—Almost seventy percent of CBI Nicaragua students
received diplomas last year, resulting in a total of fifty-one graduates.
Campus directors Emerson and Martina Wilson hosted graduation
ceremonies attended by students, family and friends, and the ministry
provided a light meal for all guests.
Although Nicaraguan prisoners suffer overcrowding and poor living
conditions, they are rejoicing in their newfound status as children of
God. “During this past year, I have learned many things about the great
truths God has for me,” said recent graduate Eude. “Now I am a person
filled with joy.”
Traveling Art Gallery Booked Several Months
in Advance
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—CBI’s inmate art is full of stories and talent, and
viewers are learning more about prisoners’ gifts, lives and testimonies.
CBI’s traveling exhibit is increasing the reach of the artwork by allowing
churches, schools and businesses to display up to thirty pieces. The exhibit
has proven very popular and has been booked nonstop for several months.
“The artwork is a way for the inmates to express how they feel when
they have been forgiven,” said a church member. “Thank you for allowing us to show, in such a powerful way, redemption’s story.” For more
information on hosting the exhibit, go to www.cbi.fm.
GIVE THE LARGEST
GIFT OF YOUR LIFE!
Hebrews 13:3
CROSSROAD
REENTRY PROGRAM
Instructors, remind your students that CBI
will help them with reentry! The Crossroad
Reentry Program helps returning citizens:
• locate housing
• gain employment
• find a church home
Contact CBI to learn more. www.CBI.fm
Remember
Crossroad Bible Institute
in your estate planning.
Contact CBI to learn more. www.CBI.fm
Crossroad Bible Institute • www.CBI.fm
7
Memorial Gifts
IN HONOR OF:
DEAN & GRACE BOS
The Weeks
PAUL & JEN EEKHOFF
Dean & Grace Bos
DAVE & KAREN VAN VUREN
50th Wedding Anniversary
Morry & Rose Blankespoor
KIM & TERRI WEEKS
Dean & Grace Bos
IN MEMORY OF:
LARRY BEIMERS
Esther DeBoer
Jean DeJong
Janice Kuiper
JOHN BOS
Larry & Sylvia Zevenbergen
JEANETTE BRINK
John & Myra VanStempvoort
BILL CARLSON
Lois Johnson
Crossroad
INTERNATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 900
Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0900
ph616-530-1300
fx616-530-1351
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[email protected]
as of March 15, 2013
LOREEN DAMHOF
Curtis & Patricia Ahrenholz
DERALD SCHNEIDER
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DERRELL STREMLER
Anonymous
AGNES DE GROOT
Char Veenstra
FRED SHOLDER
Jo Sholder Blasco
LAURENCE TIMMER
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THEODORE DE JONG
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Robert & Ann Payne
SW Chicago Christian School –
Tinley Park Campus
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VanderWoude
GLADYS STREELMAN
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Holland Special Delivery
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Bertus Pyle
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Ike & Jeanne Spriensma
Jeanne Stockmeyer
Evelyn Stursma
Roger & Marcia Tubergen
Linda VanderKolk
Si & Lois VanDyken
Elmer & Henrietta Visser
Don & Carol Wiersma
Ladies of SIL Volunteers
RIENA TIMMER
Edward & Jeannette Timmer
STANLEY ELLENS
Joanne Ellens
THERESA FRIKKE
Esther Hillers
HENRY HEYS
Donald & Marilyn Bouwer
ALICE KOOLSTRA
Willie Koolstra
Kathleen Koolstra
DALORIS RENSINK
Robert & Lois Falk
First RCA—Hospers
AUSTRALIA
Ray Hoekzema
Anne Bruinsma
CANADA
Martie VanNiekerk
COLOMBIA
Antonio Luis Prieto Surmay
ECUADOR
Angel Aguirre Villamar
INDIA
Mathotmi Vasha
SIERRA LEONE
Lahai Kargbo
KENYA
Jefferson Kabiro Gathu
SINGAPORE
Paul Tan
MALAWI
Olawale Kehinde Junaid
SOUTH AFRICA
MEXICO
UNITED KINGDOM
Matthew Savage
NEW ZEALAND
Peggy Landkroon
ZAMBIA
Gilbert Mutale Mwamba
GHANA
David Kwadwo Ofosuhene
NICARAGUA
Emerson and Martina Wilson
GUATEMALA
Kim Hekman Morán
NIGERIA
Sunny N. Roberts
GILBERT VANDER WAL
Lisa Groenendyk
Gladys Nieuwsma
TERRY VAN KOEVERING
Phil & Chris Rottman
JACK WALBURG
LuAnn Kruis
LOREN WALCOTT
Thelma Walcott
SPECIAL GIFTS:
CBI GRATEFULLY
ACKNOWLEDGES
GENEROUS GIFTS FROM . . .
The Estate of Alla Kraayenbrink
The Estate of Marian
Oppenhuizen
The Estate of Grace Streich
Senior Editor H. David Schuringa
Associate Editor Erin Zoutendam
Graphic Designer Laura C. Williams
Project Coordinators Eunice Schippers and
Jan Vander Veen
Copyright © 2013, CBI Publishing Center.
CNN is a quarterly publication.
All rights reserved.