Our Story
When people ask us how we met, we always pause, look at each other, and with a certain look agree to tell the long version, or the short version. The short version is to simply say that we met in church. The long version, well…you might want to sit down…
HIM: As an incarcerated man, I watched as other men experienced the worries and insecurities of what their women may be doing "out there". Knowing I would be in prison for a long time, I decided I did not want that headache. Throughout my incarceration I never pursued any type of relationship with a woman. This was particularly true after I was saved and became involved with more programs that involved both male and female volunteers from the outside. With God's help, I was content to live the life of a single man who's only pursuit was God and serving God in that place. Aside from family and a few married couples, I did not write women, nor did I have women visitors. It was written in stone.
HER: I had become content, living my life as a single woman. Serving the Lord filled my life and I knew it would take a particular type of man to put up with me and not be intimidated by me. I was very picky and rarely dated. Regarding inmates, I felt just like you probably do...it would be stupid to be involved with someone in prison. On each occasion in which my ministry brought me into contact with male inmates and I sensed that they were flirting or had an "interest", I was never shy and quick to speak up, telling them exactly why I was there, as well as why I was not. I always made my intentions very clear and that line in the sand was bright red and a mile wide.
HIM: It was 1987, and I was the pastor of our inside church (CBO). Each year we were allowed to have a Christmas party and invite our families. We obviously needed the assistance of someone outside and the person who had been sponsoring our parties had notified us that they could no longer help. Another volunteer told me he knew of a woman who might be able to help. So I quickly delegated another board member/inmate, Bob, to work with her in planning our parties.
HER: CBO's worship services were always on Saturday evening. I remember the first time I went in, Shawn shared a Communion meditation and he talked about suffering. I remember thinking, "Hmm, this is a man who knows His God and is well acquainted with suffering." A month or two later I was contacted about sponsoring their Christmas parties and I was happy to help. I had attended CBO a few times and had written a few of the men that I met...and later began visiting some of them. As the holiday drew close each year, I would send Christmas cards to all the men that I knew.
HIM: I was purposely avoiding Lynn. Every year she would send me a Christmas card. I did not respond. I was polite when I saw her at church, but beyond that? Nothing. Eventually, Bob said to me, "You need to write that girl." So after a few Christmas cards, I finally wrote her a letter.
HER: I didn't know what his problem was, but I didn't push. He was polite when I saw him at church, but there were plenty of people to visit and talk with. People who are incarcerated don't trust easily and have their reasons for being withdrawn so I don't take it personally when they are stand-off-ish. I know I am not their problem. So I gave Shawn space and simply offered some gentle encouragement as God allowed. Eventually, Shawn responded to a Christmas card. I was surprised.
HIM: So we started writing back and forth. And after several months, I put Lynn on my visiting list.
HER: I was corresponding with 4-5 inmates at the prison, and I was on 2-3 visiting lists. I was happy that Shawn had finally responded to a Christmas card. Over time, as we continued to write and visit, we became very good friends. This went on for a couple of years. All of the men knew about my bright red, mile-wide line in the sand, and none of them ever disrespected my boundaries in any way.
HIM: I don't remember when my feelings for Lynn began to change, but when I realized what was happening, a feeling of dread came over me. This was exactly the reason I had not wanted to have any female friends.
HER: One day I went for a visit with Bob. He told me that he thought Shawn kind of liked me. I had not picked up on that, but the next time I saw him, I casually reminded him of my bright red, mile-wide line in the sand. He said, "I know. I'm ok." But as I walked away, I realized that I wasn't ok! A couple of weeks later, I went for a long walk and got real honest with myself and with God. My very thought was, "Oh No!! I love this man!" But I knew that it was completely my decision regarding what I should do about it. I told one person, so that she could pray with me and I chose not to act on it.
HIM: I knew Lynn would never consider a relationship with an inmate and so I decided I needed to back out of this friendship before it got any deeper. After a few months, I let her know that I needed to talk and asked her to come for a visit.
HER: One night at church, Shawn asked me when I could come for a visit. I thought through my week ahead and said, "Um, Wednesday." Our visit consisted of our normal conversation. We always took time to pray during our visits and in his prayer, Shawn said something about "if our friendship should ever end". Afterwards, I asked him, “What is that supposed to mean?" He sat back in his chair, took a deep breath, and said, "I have you in my heart and that makes me nervous." To which I replied, "Well, will it make you feel any better to know that I have you in my heart and that makes me nervous?" He said, "No."
HIM: I thought she would disappear, and I would never see her again!!
HER: So we talked for awhile. We decided we would take some time and pray about this and try to figure out what God wanted for this relationship. As we started to say good-bye to each other that day, it occurred to us, it was Valentine's Day.
HER: We took a couple of months to pray. Then together, we decided to pursue this relationship and see what happened. I had to stop being a volunteer at the prison, and that was a difficult choice to make. I had grown fond of many of my brothers in Christ there, and this meant I would no longer be allowed to worship with them.
We were together, as a couple for 5 1/2 years before Shawn was released from prison. Once he was released, we waited almost year before we got married, in June of 1996.
Once Shawn came home, we really had no idea what to anticipate regarding the adjustments he would go through. It was hard. Our first several years of marriage were much more difficult than most people realized. He was going through so many changes, and it was overwhelming at times. Learning to "do life" in the world outside the bars was a slow process. He was holding it together pretty well, and then his mother passed away in 1999. A few years later, he grieved the death of his father. They were a lifeline for him throughout his incarceration and losing them hit him hard. He was pulling inside himself and I was struggling to know what to do.
But we persisted...and with God's grace and stubborn hearts that refused to give up, we moved ahead. Through the years, God would start to pester Shawn about "returning" to the ministry.
Even though he frequently taught Sunday School, led small groups at church, and occasionally filled a pulpit for a preacher on vacation, God seemed to want more from him. Shawn knew it, but he resisted. He would think about going back to Bible College to finish his degree, then he would brush it off. Then God would tap him on the shoulder again, and Shawn would brush it off. Finally, in the Summer of 2011, when he brought this up to me for the umpteenth time, I asked him if we could have some other people pray with us about it.
Many people who know Shawn's testimony and have heard him teach, already know that he is a gifted teacher, and his knowledge of Scripture is immense. (Those years in Bible Bowl have served him well). When we started sharing about his desire to finish his degree and enter the ministry, almost everyone had the same response, "Well, it's about time!"
Shawn began employment with Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc. in August of 2013. He has served as a Volunteer Chaplain in two different county jails. He taught a men's Bible Study and did pastoral care at the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis. He also started the Celebrate Recovery Program in this jail. He later became a part-time staff chaplain at the Madison County Jail in Anderson, Indiana. There he coordinated Chapel Services, often preaching, and doing pastoral care, along with a multitude of other tasks. He served there for about 3 years altogether.
In 2017, our personal financial situation required Shawn to take on a secular job. We were never able to raise enough funds to cover a full salary for Shawn through Shepherd’s Heart Ministries. We are currently waiting to see how God is going to unfold his role in this ministry. Later, with the pandemic and a few other factors, the ministry took quite a financial hit and Lynn’s salary had to be reduced. Therefore, we would ask you to pray for us, specifically, in the following areas:
1. That we will have the courage and fortitude to wait for God's timing and provision.
2. That God will raise up churches, small groups, Bible Classes, and individuals who would come together and act as His arm of spiritual support and financial provision.
3. That God will continue to open doors of ministry for Shawn in various correctional facilities.
4. That God would also provide the funds to quickly pay off all student loans so that this debt is not hanging over us.
When people ask us how we met, we always pause, look at each other, and with a certain look agree to tell the long version, or the short version. The short version is to simply say that we met in church. The long version, well…you might want to sit down…
HIM: As an incarcerated man, I watched as other men experienced the worries and insecurities of what their women may be doing "out there". Knowing I would be in prison for a long time, I decided I did not want that headache. Throughout my incarceration I never pursued any type of relationship with a woman. This was particularly true after I was saved and became involved with more programs that involved both male and female volunteers from the outside. With God's help, I was content to live the life of a single man who's only pursuit was God and serving God in that place. Aside from family and a few married couples, I did not write women, nor did I have women visitors. It was written in stone.
HER: I had become content, living my life as a single woman. Serving the Lord filled my life and I knew it would take a particular type of man to put up with me and not be intimidated by me. I was very picky and rarely dated. Regarding inmates, I felt just like you probably do...it would be stupid to be involved with someone in prison. On each occasion in which my ministry brought me into contact with male inmates and I sensed that they were flirting or had an "interest", I was never shy and quick to speak up, telling them exactly why I was there, as well as why I was not. I always made my intentions very clear and that line in the sand was bright red and a mile wide.
HIM: It was 1987, and I was the pastor of our inside church (CBO). Each year we were allowed to have a Christmas party and invite our families. We obviously needed the assistance of someone outside and the person who had been sponsoring our parties had notified us that they could no longer help. Another volunteer told me he knew of a woman who might be able to help. So I quickly delegated another board member/inmate, Bob, to work with her in planning our parties.
HER: CBO's worship services were always on Saturday evening. I remember the first time I went in, Shawn shared a Communion meditation and he talked about suffering. I remember thinking, "Hmm, this is a man who knows His God and is well acquainted with suffering." A month or two later I was contacted about sponsoring their Christmas parties and I was happy to help. I had attended CBO a few times and had written a few of the men that I met...and later began visiting some of them. As the holiday drew close each year, I would send Christmas cards to all the men that I knew.
HIM: I was purposely avoiding Lynn. Every year she would send me a Christmas card. I did not respond. I was polite when I saw her at church, but beyond that? Nothing. Eventually, Bob said to me, "You need to write that girl." So after a few Christmas cards, I finally wrote her a letter.
HER: I didn't know what his problem was, but I didn't push. He was polite when I saw him at church, but there were plenty of people to visit and talk with. People who are incarcerated don't trust easily and have their reasons for being withdrawn so I don't take it personally when they are stand-off-ish. I know I am not their problem. So I gave Shawn space and simply offered some gentle encouragement as God allowed. Eventually, Shawn responded to a Christmas card. I was surprised.
HIM: So we started writing back and forth. And after several months, I put Lynn on my visiting list.
HER: I was corresponding with 4-5 inmates at the prison, and I was on 2-3 visiting lists. I was happy that Shawn had finally responded to a Christmas card. Over time, as we continued to write and visit, we became very good friends. This went on for a couple of years. All of the men knew about my bright red, mile-wide line in the sand, and none of them ever disrespected my boundaries in any way.
HIM: I don't remember when my feelings for Lynn began to change, but when I realized what was happening, a feeling of dread came over me. This was exactly the reason I had not wanted to have any female friends.
HER: One day I went for a visit with Bob. He told me that he thought Shawn kind of liked me. I had not picked up on that, but the next time I saw him, I casually reminded him of my bright red, mile-wide line in the sand. He said, "I know. I'm ok." But as I walked away, I realized that I wasn't ok! A couple of weeks later, I went for a long walk and got real honest with myself and with God. My very thought was, "Oh No!! I love this man!" But I knew that it was completely my decision regarding what I should do about it. I told one person, so that she could pray with me and I chose not to act on it.
HIM: I knew Lynn would never consider a relationship with an inmate and so I decided I needed to back out of this friendship before it got any deeper. After a few months, I let her know that I needed to talk and asked her to come for a visit.
HER: One night at church, Shawn asked me when I could come for a visit. I thought through my week ahead and said, "Um, Wednesday." Our visit consisted of our normal conversation. We always took time to pray during our visits and in his prayer, Shawn said something about "if our friendship should ever end". Afterwards, I asked him, “What is that supposed to mean?" He sat back in his chair, took a deep breath, and said, "I have you in my heart and that makes me nervous." To which I replied, "Well, will it make you feel any better to know that I have you in my heart and that makes me nervous?" He said, "No."
HIM: I thought she would disappear, and I would never see her again!!
HER: So we talked for awhile. We decided we would take some time and pray about this and try to figure out what God wanted for this relationship. As we started to say good-bye to each other that day, it occurred to us, it was Valentine's Day.
HER: We took a couple of months to pray. Then together, we decided to pursue this relationship and see what happened. I had to stop being a volunteer at the prison, and that was a difficult choice to make. I had grown fond of many of my brothers in Christ there, and this meant I would no longer be allowed to worship with them.
We were together, as a couple for 5 1/2 years before Shawn was released from prison. Once he was released, we waited almost year before we got married, in June of 1996.
Once Shawn came home, we really had no idea what to anticipate regarding the adjustments he would go through. It was hard. Our first several years of marriage were much more difficult than most people realized. He was going through so many changes, and it was overwhelming at times. Learning to "do life" in the world outside the bars was a slow process. He was holding it together pretty well, and then his mother passed away in 1999. A few years later, he grieved the death of his father. They were a lifeline for him throughout his incarceration and losing them hit him hard. He was pulling inside himself and I was struggling to know what to do.
But we persisted...and with God's grace and stubborn hearts that refused to give up, we moved ahead. Through the years, God would start to pester Shawn about "returning" to the ministry.
Even though he frequently taught Sunday School, led small groups at church, and occasionally filled a pulpit for a preacher on vacation, God seemed to want more from him. Shawn knew it, but he resisted. He would think about going back to Bible College to finish his degree, then he would brush it off. Then God would tap him on the shoulder again, and Shawn would brush it off. Finally, in the Summer of 2011, when he brought this up to me for the umpteenth time, I asked him if we could have some other people pray with us about it.
Many people who know Shawn's testimony and have heard him teach, already know that he is a gifted teacher, and his knowledge of Scripture is immense. (Those years in Bible Bowl have served him well). When we started sharing about his desire to finish his degree and enter the ministry, almost everyone had the same response, "Well, it's about time!"
Shawn began employment with Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc. in August of 2013. He has served as a Volunteer Chaplain in two different county jails. He taught a men's Bible Study and did pastoral care at the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis. He also started the Celebrate Recovery Program in this jail. He later became a part-time staff chaplain at the Madison County Jail in Anderson, Indiana. There he coordinated Chapel Services, often preaching, and doing pastoral care, along with a multitude of other tasks. He served there for about 3 years altogether.
In 2017, our personal financial situation required Shawn to take on a secular job. We were never able to raise enough funds to cover a full salary for Shawn through Shepherd’s Heart Ministries. We are currently waiting to see how God is going to unfold his role in this ministry. Later, with the pandemic and a few other factors, the ministry took quite a financial hit and Lynn’s salary had to be reduced. Therefore, we would ask you to pray for us, specifically, in the following areas:
1. That we will have the courage and fortitude to wait for God's timing and provision.
2. That God will raise up churches, small groups, Bible Classes, and individuals who would come together and act as His arm of spiritual support and financial provision.
3. That God will continue to open doors of ministry for Shawn in various correctional facilities.
4. That God would also provide the funds to quickly pay off all student loans so that this debt is not hanging over us.