Contact: Dr. David Schuringa, Crossroad Bible Institute, 616-530-1300

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Crossroad Bible Institute is celebrating the record-breaking number of volunteers that together contributed a quarter of a million hours of service in 2009. The Michigan-based international prison ministry has a unique, highly effective foundation of volunteers that continues to strengthen over time.

Nearly 5,000 individuals donated 221,843 hours of service as volunteer Instructors for the prisoners enrolled in CBI's Bible study and reentry education program this past year, correcting students' completed studies and responding with personal letters of encouragement. Another 655 volunteers contributed a total of 28,742 hours in the ten CBI distribution centers located worldwide, including the headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The volunteers span a range of ages and offer varying amounts of time to the ministry. Many retirees work regularly, serving for hours each week, while youth might dedicate one day to the office with their school or church youth group. Instructors, the youngest teenagers and the oldest in their nineties, correct anywhere from one lesson a month to more than fifteen a week.

The significant number of volunteers, which has steadily increased throughout CBI's twenty-five-year history, trims the nonprofit's budget down to one-third of what would otherwise be required. President Dr. David Schuringa notes, "Volunteerism has always been and will remain a key pillar of our organization. As we faithfully act out the principle of Ephesians 4, which emphasizes that we are to equip God's people for ministry, not watch religious professionals do all the work, I am thankful for these 'supporting ligaments' holding CBI together."

Volunteers express their own thanks for the opportunity to participate in CBI's work. As one office volunteer states, "I find satisfaction in serving the Lord with the simple tasks needed to complete the immense work that CBI requires." An Instructor in Australia notes that it is not only her students that benefit from her service, explaining, "The blessings are innumerable as God grants us fellowship with so many of His children."

CBI will continue encouraging volunteerism in 2010, striving to faithfully model the body of Christ in action.

Crossroad Bible Institute is a prison ministry in its 26th year of operation. With over 40,000 students, CBI has ten international distribution centers and three more openings pending. Visit www.cbi.fm for enrollment forms or more information. CBI's program is provided at no cost to prisoners and their families.