We offer teaching, training, and coaching for incarcerated men.
Nearly two million children are living without their father due to incarceration, and the results are devastating. Children from father absent homes are statistically at a much higher risk of virtually every negative social category. TEAM 5:18 is tackling this epidemic by challenging and teaching incarcerated fathers how to grow into Godly parents, equipping them to spiritually train their children regardless of their circumstances and intentionally building a legacy of faith in Christ. Malachi Dads is a year long class where fathers develop community and learn to live up to their biblical responsibility as a father. Malachi Dads doubles as “Christianity 101” since we cover every primary tenant of orthodox Christianity over the course of the year.(As does our Celebrate Recovery Class)
Celebrate Recovery Inside is a Christ-centered recovery program designed specifically for those incarcerated. It helps participants overcome trauma, struggles with addiction, anger, abuse, and other life-controlling issues through biblical principles and the proven 12-step recovery model. By offering a safe, supportive environment for healing and accountability, Celebrate Recovery Inside empowers inmates to experience true freedom, build healthy relationships, and develop a new identity in Christ, thus preparing them for successful reentry and lasting life change.
There is nothing more painful for fathers then to be separated from their children and for children than to be separated from a parent. TEAM 5:18 has had the privilege of providing an opportunity for incarcerated fathers to be united with their children or grandchildren. A Day With Dad is a day of reconciliation, restoration, and forgiveness. In some cases, the fathers haven’t seen their children in years and occasionally are meeting their child for the first time. Daughter dance, a birthday party, lots of food, and of course the gospel. This event is followed up with a powerful Malachi Dads program designed to help the participants become the type of Godly Christian fathers God created them to be.
All our events, activities and classes include the gospel, but our Unit Revivals are for the purpose of achieving a goal that every man in the prison has an opportunity to hear the gospel. Prior to the event itself a group of Team 5:18 volunteers enter the unit being targeted (a unit is 4 dorms housing around 350 men) and spend the morning sharing with the inmates and inviting them to the afternoon revival. In the afternoon is the revival. We attempt to have every speaker, testimony, musician, and even the cook be an ex-inmate who used to be incarcerated at the compound but is now successful and living for Christ on the outside. Last year 66% of the prison attended and there were over 300 men who indicated they trusted Christ on their response cards. Peer ministers (see leadership workshops) attempt to follow up every decision and serious prayer request with a one-on-one visit.
TEAM 5:18 trains and provides mentors for institutionalized youth at a local children’s home. These mentors are called “Life Coaches” and spend at least 2 days per month with their mentees. The children are in the home for a variety of reasons and because of confidentiality and security not much more can be said about them. Besides providing mentors we also help provide recreation (TEAM 5:18 just recently donated a pickle ball court) events, and a weekly bible study.
Several times a year TEAM 5:18 arranges leadership workshops to encourage and equip the inmate leaders(called peer ministers) of the prison by bringing in outside pastors and Christian leaders to lead workshops designed to enhance the work God has called them to. These leaders serve in the prison’s churches and various Christian ministries. TEAM 5:18 wants to help and strengthen all the ministries that are serving in the facility and encourage unity in working together with a united vision of building Gods kingdom. These men have been trained to follow up the decisions and prayer requests we receive at our revivals and various other functions. Team 5:18 strives to give every man one on one attention.
Help us provide these programs to men inside Rayburn Correctional Center
Monthly financial contributions from generous donors like you will connect men with Christ-centered teaching and training.