Contact: Dr. David Schuringa, President, Crossroad Bible Institute, 800-668-2450, David@cbi.fm

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Across the border from El Paso, Texas lies Juarez, the most dangerous city in all of Mexico and among the deadliest in the world. Notorious drug cartels compete for control of the smuggling routes between Juarez and El Paso. Mexican authorities have failed to keep the violence at bay as conflict has led to the deaths of over 2,000 people already this year. Crossroad Bible Institute's Cynthia Williams recently visited Juarez to speak to seminary students who help prisoners.

Williams entered the unstable city without reservation. She explained, "The day we arrived, there had been a mass shooting at the mall in Juarez and several people were killed, but as a missionary I'm accustomed to danger, so I tend to just trust the Lord."

Just outside of Juarez, at Seminario Todas Las Naciones (All Nations' Seminary), seminarians correct CBI Bible study lessons from Spanish-speaking prisoners. Williams visited to encourage the students and offer additional training. These students are impacted by the turmoil in Juarez as their friends and relatives fall victim to senseless acts of violence. As William observed, "The students are studying the Bible and correcting inmate lessons in a very stressful situation. Their experiences have made them even more empathetic to human tragedy, but they live with a heavy heart."

Though violence enshrouds the region and is closing in on the seminary, Williams experienced only one tense moment during her time in Juarez. While leaving the city via a remote area, the car she traveled in had a flat tire. As another car with some rough looking characters pulled up alongside them, Williams thought, "I wonder how this will play out." But, Williams explained, God watched out for her group: the men who stopped simply offered to help.

Hope glimmers even in the chaos of Juarez. Dr. H. David Schuringa, President of CBI, notes: "This opportunity is invaluable for these seminarians as they prepare for church leadership, and we are grateful for their willingness to encourage prisoners even while their own city is in turmoil."

Crossroad Bible Institute is a prison ministry in its 25th year of operation. With over 40,000 students, Crossroad has eight international distribution sites with three more openings pending. Go to www.cbi.fm for enrollment forms or more information. CBI's programs are provided at no cost to prisoners and their families.