Jul 08

June 2026 Loaves & Fishes Report

News

“GPS to Get Me There”

Imagine you’re on a complex, unfamiliar route, and in the middle of the trip, your phone loses data connection. At that point, you realize your helplessness and dependence on GPS technology. This happened to my nephew recently. Since he had no other way to get the maps he needed, he used what sense of direction he had to reroute his trip by my house to get connected to WiFi.

We often don’t realize the value of positioning and directions until we don’t have it, or till we meet someone who is thoroughly lost. This is also true in a larger, spiritual sense. Sometimes, we encounter those who have no sense of north in life, no guide, no standard, no concept of a good trajectory. In an effort to help them, where do we even begin?

The next several issues of Loaves & Fishes will be focused on the Bible itself. In these issues, our goal is essentially the same as helping a person who is lost to find their way. A true location must be pinpointed. As we know, the state of all humans is that of being lost. Then, we must find a solution, and a guide to the correct way toward the desired destination.

The solution to our lostness is Jesus. The guide God has given us is the writings of the Bible. With the aid of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, we can find our position, locate our destination, and follow the best route.

The core messages of the Bible are quite simple. However, to someone who is unfamiliar with it, and even sometimes to those who are, the Bible itself can be challenging and complex. Our goal in the next issues of the magazine is to offer our best advice to those desiring to use the Bible as a guide in life.

—Mike Fisher, Manager of Operations

Publishing Update

By the time this newsletter reaches you, issue 59 will have been received, processed, and shipped. We are genuinely excited to get this issue out in print and on digital. This issue focuses on God’s purpose and design for human sexuality. We hope to point out the beauty of intimacy as God intended it.

As mentioned, our next two issues will be on the topic of the Bible. We will discuss how the Bible came to exist and how to read and study the scriptures.

The content for issue 60 is complete and in the editing process, and is scheduled to ship in September. Issue 61, our fourth issue for this year, is in development and should ship in December.

Financial Update

We are able to plan and project our ministry projects for the future only because of how our donors have trusted us with financial resources. For that, we are truly grateful.

At this writing, the printing of issue 59 has been paid at $22,000. Around $8,000 in postage and $4,000 in editing and production costs are also expected. Our current funds on hand are approximately $160,000.

We are thankful for the blessing of God on our work, and again, we sincerely appreciate the inspired vision of those who support our work in whatever way you are able.

All of this of course would be impossible without the willingness of our nearly 400 bulk distributors to get the magazine into the hands of our readers each and every day. God bless each of you.

Reader Feedback

Thank you so much for your ministry. I printed out a few stories to send to my nephew who is incarcerated. He plans to sign up for your publication once he gets sent to his permanent facility.

—Christa Swope

Distributor Feedback

I want to thank you for your organization and your publication. After the great feedback from the inmates here at DCJ, I thought it was the right thing to do to pass on to you the praise. Thank you for loving those that you have not seen! I certainly look forward to planting and watering into these peoples lives with your support. In his hands,

—Chaplain Dave Beard
Dekalb County Jail, Auburn, IN

May 04

April 2026 News

News

As Old as Time

It came into the world with the introduction of sin, and it wasn’t long before it had claimed its first innocent victim. Conflict forever marred the face of history when Cain killed his brother Abel. Think of all the children and grandchildren of that good and righteous man who never existed because of Cain’s jealous rage.

Conflict. War and strife. From the beginning, thesethings have cost humanity incalculable sorrow and suffering. Today, for all the progress and development of humanity, we have not unmired ourselves from that basic struggle of our race.

Which was the bloodiest century of human history? The twentieth; yes, that century we just completed a few years ago. And the world of the twenty-first appears fraught with violence in many ways. Conflict on a global scale may only be awaiting a triggering event.

What else is as old as time? God’s plan of redemption for the world. In this season of springtime, flowers are breaking out, and the green earth is ready for cultivation and productivity once again. From the dust and ashes of past troubles, peace breaks forth and new life emerges.

Jesus came to end conflict and bring righteousness. His message is good news for the poor, imprisoned, blind, and oppressed. Today is the day of liberation and new life for all who are chained by sin!

—Mike Fisher, Manager of Operations

Publishing Update

Loaves & Fishes Issue 58 shipped on schedule in early March. Issue 59 will be in graphic design soon, and is scheduled to ship in early June. The topic is human sexuality, and like other aspects of God’s beautifulcreation, it has been devastated by sin. We look forward to showing our readers how physical intimacy can still be the blessing that God designed it to be.

In the past year, our circulation has ranged between 61,000-64,000. We are grateful to all those who receive and distribute Loaves & Fishes. Additionally, we are grateful for the opportunity to distribute the magazine digitally via PandoApp, available on many prison tablets. In our first year, we have had close to 50,000 opens with the two most recent issues being featured at any given time.

We have decided to increase our investment on PandoApp, beginning with expanding to the four most recent issues, and over time increasing to hosting our entire library of back issues on the app at an eventual monthly cost of $1,000. If your institution at some point discontinues acceptance of paper materials, this may be an option for inmates, depending on the tablet platform used in your facility.

Financial Update

The cost of producing the next issue of the magazineis projected to be $35,000, including editing, design, printing, and shipping costs. Due to the kindness of our donors, it is fully funded. Our current funds on hand are around $170,000.

Reader Feedback

I just wanted to take a moment to thankyou for these pamphlets! I absolutely love them.

I just got baptized here at the jail. I’m taking inall of Jesus I can! I can’t wait to learn more about my Savior. Thanks again for doing this for us incarcerated folks.

—Emily Stevenson

Bedford County Correctional Facility, Bedford, PA

Thank you for the Bible study. It means so much to me. I’m not sure how you got my information, but I am so happy. I just want to grow my relationship with my Lord. Thank you for your time.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

—Walter LaBier

California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and StatePrison, Corcoran, CA

Distributor Feedback (People who distribute in prisons)

The inmates look forward to reading your booklets. I personally enjoy the poetry from the inmates. Thank you for this tool to encourage others.

—Chaplain Brenda Callahan

Monroe County Detention Center, Key West, FL

Mar 11

February 2026 Report

News

It’s a New Year

It is never too late for a fresh start. The best time to make a change was yesterday—but that opportunity has passed with the old year. As Scripture reminds us: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18–19).

Lighthouse Publishing began the new year with our annual Advisory Board meeting. Our staff, executive board members, and advisory board members joined us both in person and virtually. While we did reflect briefly on the past, the main purpose was to seek God’s guidance and chart the path forward together.

With fresh inspiration and insight, we remain committed to our ministry of providing Christian discipleship reading material for prison inmates through Loaves & Fishes magazine. Thank you so much for being a vital part of this important work.

—Mike Fisher, Manager of Operations

Publishing Update

Loaves & Fishes Issue 58 is on track to ship in early March as planned. By the time you receive this newsletter, printing should be complete and the magazines should be on their way to our warehouse. This issue’s theme is Heaven. The content is designed to help readers reflect seriously on the reality of eternal life after our brief time here on earth ends.

Issue 59 will follow with the topic of God’s Purpose and Design for Human Sexuality. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare and share these important messages.

Financial Update

The cost of producing the next issue of the magazine is projected to be $35,000, including editing, design, printing, and shipping costs. Due to the kindness of our donors, it is fully funded. Our current funds on hand are around $195,000.

Distributor Feedback

DJRC residents snatch up your materials as soon as we make them available. Your material is reaching inmates of all ages. The lockdown unit requests them, and while they are on 23/1 confinement they really focus on the message within the magazine.

—Chaplain Yolanda Walker, Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center, Nashville, TN

Reader Feedback

I recently came across a copy of Loaves & Fishes on gentleness, and reading it gave me a totally different perspective to view the world from. I’m blessed to still have my mother with me. She sent me a Bible and encourages me to stay in it. I’m hoping Loaves & Fishes will help guide that journey. Thank you, and God bless you for your time and the efforts you give to bring others close to Him.

—Dion Andrews
Big Muddy River Correctional, Ina, IL

Oct 23

October 2025 Update

News

Inescapable

The finality of a doctor telling you that they have done all they can do for your loved one. The blinding awareness that you have failed in a crucial duty. The crushing words of a judge handing down a prison sentence. The cold, hard facts of an irreversible financial loss. A career suddenly terminated. A relationship destroyed.

Life hands us many such bitter, inescapable realities. The sense of helplessness and the inability to change life’s circumstances leads some to attempt escape, whether by diversion and amusement (trying to avoid reality) or worse, by resorting to violence toward oneself or others.

Christians do not need to resort to those things. In the face of the inescapable, God gives us peace and freedom through His presence.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:4-6)

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

God does not promise escape from reality. But he does promise peace and blessing in our times of suffering, and the promise of eternal life, the blessed hope that is the ultimate “breakout” for the Christian.

Peace and blessings to all of you, our partners in the work of sharing God’s word with believers behind bars.

Circulation Update

In the past year, our level of funding has increased to allow us to publish quarterly on a regular basis. This is reflected in the number of magazines shipped this year to date, which is 220,279 as of September 20. This number is up 72,044, nearly 50%, from the same period in 2024.

This growth is due to the generosity of our donors and to those of you who distribute the magazine in prisons. We thank God for you, whether you remember us in prayer, support us financially, or deliver Loaves & Fishes to prison inmates.

Since April, Loaves & Fishes has been featured on PandoApp, a digital app for Christian content on many prison tablets. In that time frame, the magazine has had 36,500 opens and has grown to 5,857 digital subscribers. We are currently featuring the two most recent issues of the magazine on the app for a monthly cost of $400. 

We are monitoring the success of the magazine on the app as well as fine-tuning the technical specifications, and may invest more into this publishing platform in the future. With more prisons going to digital-only communications, we are grateful for this opportunity.

Financial Update

The cost of producing the next issue of the magazine is projected to be $35,000, including editing, design, printing, and shipping costs.

Our current funds on hand, including our building fund and cash reserves, are around $171,500. Again, we thank God and our partners for providing the resources for our work to continue.

Publishing Update

Issue 56 was shipped on schedule in early September. We look forward to shipping issue 57 in December.

As a reminder to distributors, in addition to publishing new issues quarterly, we also maintain a large inventory of recent back issues. If you can use more material before the next shipment, simply contact us with your request and we will be happy to supply you from our inventory.

Please be aware that we offer a no-staples version of the magazine. If this is required by your facility, simply contact us, and we will mark your subscription as no-staples.

Pray

Please pray for the work of Lighthouse Publishing, and pray for the nearly 2 million prison inmates in our country.

Distributor Feedback

The poems and content have been extremely inspirational, and Loaves & Fishes has been highly requested by our population each issue.

—Jeffrey Ehlers, Chaplain

Walton Correctional Institution, Defuniak Springs, FL

Reader Feedback

Thank you so much for the latest Loaves & Fishes magazine. As always, it is well done, and I appreciate every page.

—Adrian G. Torres

Mule Creek State Prison, Ione, CA

1 2 3 30