The fruits of the Spirit on full display

More than a decade ago, a program was established to offer a profoundly transformative experience: a high-quality Christian education at an accessible cost. This initiative, known as the Crossing Bridges program, has since enabled numerous families to access Christ-centered education that would have otherwise been logistically unattainable. Its impact has extended far beyond the classroom—equipping young people not only to serve as Christian leaders but also to share the gospel and connect with people in their communities. Recently, God has blessed this program beyond what was initially imaginable.

This year, four students from Palabra de Vida, a home mission church in Detroit, Mich., successfully completed the Crossing Bridges program, graduating from Hope Christian Academy (HCA). All four of these students are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, a pursuit undertaken by only 7 percent of individuals from Southwest Detroit, with one of them aspiring to enter the full-time gospel ministry.

Jorge Mitchell (pictured above, right) was born in Honduras, a small country in Central America, but has lived in Southwest Detroit almost his entire life. With support from his pastors, teachers, and family, he has decided to embark on a totally different journey—life in cold, rural New Ulm, Minn., at Martin Luther College (MLC). His reason? “To be a Spanish teacher and help spread God’s Word in two languages.” Jorge will be the first MLC attendee from Palabra de Vida in Detroit since its inception in 2008.

During the winter of his junior year at HCA, Jorge had the opportunity to visit Martin Luther College with one of his classmates. After touring MLC and New Ulm on a 60-degree day in February (maybe not the most realistic experience), Jorge noticed one thing right away—there weren’t a lot of people that looked like him. He made it his mission to change that and said the following about his goals for MLC: “My heritage can impact God’s kingdom. By knowing both English and Spanish, I can connect and communicate with Hispanic people all across the country.” Praise be to God that he has moved Jorge to pursue being a teacher at MLC. We pray Jorge’s future role as a teacher won’t just shape classrooms—it will open doors for the gospel among people who might otherwise never hear it.

Jorge’s story is a testament to the ripple effect of support—how pastors, teachers, congregations, and countless individuals behind the scenes use their time, prayers, and donations to help raise up leaders who in turn reach others for Christ. Please continue to pray for Jorge as he begins his journey at MLC this fall, and pray for Christian education programs across the country, which not only provide a transformative, high-quality education but also multiply opportunities for outreach and gospel connection in communities near and far.

Written by Lucas Martin, staff minister at Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich.