"I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand... and give thee for... a light of the Gentiles... to bring out the prisoners from the prison."
Isaiah 42:6-8

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August 2005 Newsletter

Changes and Decisions

“For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste,
neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth
rain upon the earth” (1 Kings 17:14).

Elijah’s story has been much on my mind during the past few months, and the wonders God did in his life have inspired me greatly. Ahab was king in Elijah’s day, and the Bible says he did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him (1 Kings 16 and 17). It was a time of spiritual and physical famine. In those days, God used Elijah to sustain a poor widow by miraculously providing oil and flour through a barrel that didn’t get empty and a supply of oil that held out through the famine. The wickedness of Ahab’s world and ours is alike in many ways, and we at Lighthouse are trusting Elijah’s God to sustain us. Certainly, we live in a day of spiritual wickedness in high places. Will the meal and oil hold out until Christ returns?

When we go out and see the stars, we remember these are the same stars that God asked Abraham to count. We have chosen to look to God for all of our needs and the prisoners’ needs. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Our desire for total reliance upon God has brought some changes at Lighthouse which are important for you as our supporters to know.

First, we felt clearly that God was leading us to break a connection with the government that seemed to have become an unequal yoke, so on June 1, 2005, we cancelled our pending 501-C(3) status. We also canceled our incorporation with the State of Tennessee, which changes our name from Lighthouse Publishing, Inc. to simply Lighthouse Publishing. We will no longer be able to give tax-deductible receipts, and donations to Lighthouse Publishing cannot be deducted.

Our “fundraising” methods are also going to change. We will no longer have boxes to check, coupons to clip, or deadlines to meet for free gifts. We have fallen short of the mark in these areas in the past and beg your forgiveness.

We have chosen to stay debt and liability free. We want to operate only on the funds that God supplies, with no strings attached. If God leads you to give, give responsibly. Give only what you can afford and only what God moves you to give—neither more nor less.

These changes have brought some repercussions concerning the building where Lighthouse operates. Three years ago, a brother built the facility and gave Lighthouse a free three-year lease, which expired in July 2005, and in order to stay in the building, we will need to buy it. He has offered to sell the building to Lighthouse for $160,000, the amount of his investment.

Although this building is perfect for the needs of the growing ministry, we do not have the funds to purchase it now, and we have a debt-free policy. If God’s plan for this ministry is to move to a smaller building, we want to be faithful stewards of the Lord’s resources, continuing to fill the desperate need for literature for hungry souls in prison.

We have until September 1, to buy the building that houses Lighthouse now. If we decide not to buy it, the owner plans to list the property with a real estate company after that. As a ministry, we have laid this out before God and are trusting Him for the outcome. We are prepared to work with what God provides. If we are not able to purchase this building for $160,000, we plan to build a new one according to the funds available.

Please pray for wisdom for us as we face these difficult decisions. Your support in prayer is a tremendous encouragement as we seek to fulfill God’s will and calling for this ministry. May His kingdom go forward and the earth be filled with His glory!

—Darold Gingerich

Adopt a Prisoner!

You can touch a prisoner's life! Write him a letter!

Have you ever thought of writing to a prisoner? Prison is a lonely place, and the isolation from friends and relatives can be extremely painful, especially for Christians, who often face hate and opposition from other inmates. We have addresses for prisoners in many states who would love to write regularly to someone who truly cares about them. Men and women are both needed; our subscribers are mostly men, but there are thousands of women as well, and we see amazing openness and hunger among them (In one California prison alone, there are 3,700 women, and one in three receives Loaves & Fishes).

Drop us a note if you are interested, and we will send you a packet with more information, as well as our requirements and guidelines.

“I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matthew 25:36b

Paper Savings

In our search for ways to save money on production costs, we found a paper supplier that sells surplus paper. We can buy economy paper from them with considerable savings, so the beginning of this year we switched to economy paper for Loaves & Fishes. This paper is lighter than the paper we were using, and since paper is sold by the pound, we get more sheets for the same price. The booklets also weigh less, saving an additional $300 in postage costs per issue.

We decided to print this newsletter on the same kind of paper we are using for Loaves & Fishes, to show you the difference in weight, color, and quality. Unless we get negative feedback from you as our supporters, we plan to keep using economy paper until we can find a better deal.

Their hearts are beating. Listen...

Letters From Prisoners

I love reading Loaves & Fishes because some stories hit home to me, and it makes me think what I have been going through.
Kim Perisio, Franklin Pre-Release Center, Columbus, Ohio

Thank you, thank you for a very pleasant and stimulating Loaves & Fishes. I really do like the way you do your magazine.
Name unknown

I was given a copy of your book Loaves & Fishes and I really enjoyed it. The testimony that was given by some of the folks really touched my heart. I can relate a great deal to the stories.
Chris Haynes, Grafton, Ohio

I would like to thank you all for spreading the word of God to the lost, like I was, in a way that we can understand it.
Joel B. Ramsey, Byrd Unit, Huntsville, Texas

I love your publication and look forward to receiving each new issue. The messages, stories, and testimonies included are very encouraging and uplifting. Thank you!
Sean Winter, Somerset, Pennsylvania

Your booklet has been an incredible blessing to me.
Rodolfo Richard, Hamilton Correctional Institution, Jasper, Florida

Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed Loaves & Fishes. It is very well rounded, with stories, studies, and a lighter side as well. I have heard good comments from several other prisoners. May God bless all of you and your ministry. Keep up the good work!
Harold Searcy, Iowa Medical & Classification Center, Oakdale, Iowa

I came across one of your booklets, and I enjoyed it so much that I shared it with my friends. They all wanted copies of their own... We appreciate the inspiration; it is needed in a place like this.
Miranda Payne & friends, SE Arkansas Community, Punishment Center, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

I recently came across your publication... I must tell you I couldn’t put it down. It was truly inspirational to me. I would like to subscribe to your publication.
Jeanne McClard, Arizona State Prison, Complex—Perryville, Goodyear, Arizona

Your Loaves & Fishes publication... has helped me a lot in my Bible study every time I read it. I’ve gained hope here in prison through Jesus Christ and your magazine.
Orlando E. Vallejo, Garza West, Beeville, Texas

Thank you for this blessed little booklet... I saw it lying beside the old ice machine in Central Correctional Center. It was like it was left there just for me, so I got it and hurried back to my cell room with it in hand, and I’ve read it and shared it with many since that evening in 2004.
James Lee, Pontiac, Illinois

November 2004 was the first time I have ever seen Loaves & Fishes. I was so touched that I read every article in the book two or three times. I loved it!
Kay Hutson, Childress, Texas

Click here to read more letters from prisoners.