August 2026 Annual Ministry Report
Evangelism/Outreach: Over 1000 men heard the gospel at our revivals, events, and classes. 387 indicated they received Christ. Those decisions were followed up primarily by the inmate Christian leaders that we encourage and train at our Leadership Workshops.
Leadership Workshops: The workshops this year were excellent. In January, the theme was the proper use of God’s Word. The workshop in June was on Shepherding. The presenters at the workshops consist of solid free man preachers and laymen. The workshops are attended by 40-50 leaders of the various Christian Ministries and churches which gives us the ability to impact a broader audience than Team 5:18 ministries. Relationships built at the workshops have given me the opportunity to earn the trust of almost every Christian group in the prison, and the ability to minister to those leaders on a much deeper level year around.
A Day with Dad: The event was a great success. We had 30 dads and 60 children attend along with more volunteers than we needed. The warden attended and was very impressed. We are having logistical difficulties with the one coming up November 14th but am confident it will all work out.
Life Coaches: With Jeff retiring the coordination of the ministry at the children’s home has fallen on me. As the number of boys has risen from the teens to over 31 the recruiting, training, and coordinating of a sufficient number of mentors has risen as well. Currently we have all qualified boys taken care of and I’m working to have enough volunteers in the wings to take care of the home’s future needs.
Other Ministries Support: When able, Team 5:18 supports the other ministries and churches with whatever needs they may have. Usually this entails monetary or volunteer support for their activities. The advantage is demonstrating unity (a big problem in the prison just as it is on the outside). By establishing good relationships with their leaders, it has been providing opportunities to influence them toward more biblically sound ministries.
Monthly Pulpit Supply: Team 5:18 is responsible to fill the pulpit once a month on the first Sunday evening of the month. I share that responsibility with Dan Williams and Chad Richardson, pastor of Celebration Church and Henderson Palmer.
Doctrine/Theology Classes: How to deal with the many beliefs within the Christian community has burdened and frustrated me for a long time. One thing that has hampered any formal attempt has been no time or space availability in the Chapel. There are two dysfunctional room dividers that if replaced would give us 4 rooms instead of 3 on Thursday nights. The volunteers and inmate facilitators are fully capable of handling the Malachi Dads and Celebrate Recovery Classes in the 3 rooms we currently have while I could use the fourth room to teach a theology class. I am trying to confirm if this is something God has put on my heart or just thoughts of my own. If I feel it’s of the Lord, I intend to offer to raise the money to pay for the partition if the warden will approve it.