We are pleased to announce that the 40th issue of Loaves & Fishes is ordered from the printer! By the time you receive this newsletter, we hope to have it in our warehouse.
Our circulation is up to 125,825 copies. We are printing 135,000 copies so that we have extra copies on hand for back issue orders and new distributors who sign up between now and the next printing.
We are within $6,000 of reaching our funding goal to be able to ship the magazine. We would like to thank everyone who has given generously to make this issue possible.
The main way we gauge the effectiveness of our work is the responses we receive from our readers and distributors. We receive far more than we can share with you, so know that each of the notes of appreciation you see in our newsletters represents the gratefulness of many other prison inmates and chaplains who were blessed by the magazine.
When our staff processes mail from inmates, we often include personal notes of encouragement in our responses. We have found that this personal touch is surprising and very meaningful to inmates. Although we have limited ability to engage in correspondence, it is a blessing to our readers.
As mentioned in prior newsletters, we receive frequent requests for pen pals. If you are interested in writing an inmate, please contact us and we can connect you with one. At this time we are in need of male pen pals.
The advisory board for Lighthouse Publishing met in January for its second annual meeting. It was particularly enjoyable to have Darold Gingerich, founder of Lighthouse Publishing and Loaves & Fishes magazine, present from Iowa to share with the board how our ministry came to exist.
We presented our 2019 reports to the board and discussed various matters of business, including future plans and staff needs going forward. Once again, we appreciate the willingness of these men to give their time to help us steward this ministry.
The next issue of Loaves & Fishes will feature the theme of self-control. We are working on compiling and editing material. Would you pray for our work and for our readers to be blessed and changed by reading the magazine? We so appreciate all of those who keep our ministry in their thoughts, prayers, and giving.
— Mike Fisher, board chairman