November 2025
Dear Friends,
Last month I promised a report on “A Day With Dad” and it turns out that it will be a perfect report to be given in a Thanksgiving letter. It was one of the best attended in years; 57 children were united with 30 fathers and grandfathers for a God glorifying day of joy, love, forgiveness, and thanksgiving! Caregivers thanked us for making it possible for their kids to have a day like that for their children. The fathers thanked us repeatedly for bringing their children and putting together a type of event which is rarely seen in a prison environment. Volunteers who gave up their Saturday, got up before dawn and traveled many miles to make the day possible actually have thanked me for “allowing” them to be part of the day as I thanked them for serving. In every case I would remind them that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” James 1:17. I want them to know that although it’s appropriate to show gratitude to those whom God uses to bless them, that He is the source of every blessing and deserves the glory.
There was one man whose children didn’t show up. He stayed anyway though very disappointed. The day began at 7:30 am and was scheduled to end at 4pm when miracle of miracles at 3:15 his children arrived! After the day ended he said, “this was the happiest 45 minutes of my life!”
The icing on the cake is 5 teens and one father trusted Christ on Saturday. I think a few other men did also when I met with them on Friday although there was no visual or written confirmations asked for.
My thanks continue to go out to God for making you part of this ministry. Whether you were there or not your prayers, support, and encouragement are an equal part of everything we do.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
With a Thankful Hearts,
Shane and Vickie
October 2025
Dear Friends,
The two months leading up to “ A DAY WITH DAD” are the busiest of the year by far yet it’s difficult to come up with what I would consider an exciting ministry report, but I’ll give it my best shot.
First up is getting the inmate fathers signed up, then approved by the prison to participate, next is securing from them the contact information needed to reach out to the guardians of their children. This part of the event began in August.
Finding and contacting the caregivers is a challenge. In many cases the fathers don’t know the latest address or phone number so we put on our detective hats go to work finding, inviting, registering, and communicating to the women we hope will bring the children to their fathers.
After this comes recruiting, training, and communicating to a sufficient number of volunteers to make the day a success.
Ordering and buying the hundreds of items needed for the Day With Dad itself as well as the father’s preparation day on Friday, and the caregiver program that goes on while the children are at ADWD.
Then planning the programming, the meals for those 3 components plus preparing the schedules.
God willing all this “unexciting” work will lead to a very “exciting” November report on the event itself. I pray it will. We have had the best response in years! Over 40 Fathers and grandfathers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of 60 children and grandchildren. The body of Christ has responded in spectacular fashion with 70 servants of our Lord ready to take His love to those men and children.
Be praying for good weather, safe travels, strengthened and mended relationships ,and especially a very clear gospel message.
We have continued with all the regular ministries during this time. Malachi Dads, Celebrate Recovery, and the Tuesday pastoral work have all continued, and we even managed to squeeze in a revival. As many of you know, I have also had to take on the responsibilities of the Team 5:18 mentoring ministry at the Children’s Home currently due to Jeff Boren’s move to Arizona.
I am humbled and encouraged by the love and support shown by so many of you. The volunteers, donors, and prayer warriors are tools God uses to keep me and Vickie going physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
In His Love and Service,
Shane and Vickie
September 2025
Greetings, September 2025
Saturday was as busy as it gets. The volunteers and I met at 6 am to head for prison to do revivals for three dorms. Before the day ended we had done FOUR! We pitched a tent in the yard outside the punishment unit, and the warden allowed 46 men to leave their cells to attend, and several responded to the beautiful message of the gospel. We were supposed to go to sleet 3 after that but had some extra time so we stopped at the wind unit to share a quick message. Then it was on to sleet where our preacher shared Christ on the two extended lockdown tiers after which our volunteers had time to share with and pray one on one with all 28 men .(those tiers are the highest-level security tiers at the prison)
Then it was off to the Gym for the actual revival. All in all, over four hundred men heard the gospel, and many responded or left prayer requests. As always, we will do our best to give those decisions and prayer requests one on one follow up visits.
A DAY WITH DAD is just around the corner. Enclosed (or attached) is an invitation to serve as a volunteer and an application. I hope you will give it some consideration.
Shane
August 2025
COME WITH ME TO PRISON
All missionaries say, “send me” . Today I’m giving you the opportunity to “come with me”.
Although you know that the #1 goal of Team 5:18 is to develop multi-generational, reproductive disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) “equipping the saints for the works of service” is very high on our priority list as well. There are two opportunities coming up for you to serve the Lord alongside us.
A DAY WITH DAD event is scheduled for Saturday November 1st. A DAY WITH DAD is a beautiful day of reconciliation, forgiveness, and bonding in which we are allowed to bring children and grandchildren to the prison to spend the day with their fathers and grandfathers. The schedule includes a well thought through program that includes both fun, meaningful, and spiritual activities. We attempt to have 1 volunteer assigned to each child and last year we had 60 children attend. This is also the only opportunity for women to attend as we assign a lady to each female child. If you think you would like to help, take the light and love of Christ into the often dark environment of prison, email me at shane61453@mac.com or text me at (504) 723-7262.
COME WITH ME TO THE CHILDRENS HOME
Team 5:18 provides mentors for the children at the Methodist Children’s Home. I began the work there 17 years ago and for the past 15 Jeff Boren has been our staff person handling the ministry there. Jeff is now in the process of moving to Arizona so I will once again be coordinating the program. Our mentors are called “Life Coaches” and after training are paired with one of the boys. The job requires the mentor to visit their mentee twice a month for a 1-hour period. Our next orientation/training is scheduled for Saturday September 6th and will be held at St. Timothy’s Church in Mandeville. Attendance dosen’t obligate you but will give you a full picture of what to expect and if you decide to serve, you will already be trained. If you feel the Lord may be leading you to volunteer to enhance the life of one of these children text or email me.
Those of you who remember the good old CAMPUS LIFE days may be interested in knowing that we are also doing two Campus Life meetings each week at the Children’s home.
Vickie and I covet and appreciate your prayers more than I can say. The fruit of this work flows from the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the saints. Thank you for your prayers!
In His Love,
Shane and Vickie