Seeing God’s Favor & Provision
Father’s Love exists in the heart of downtown Shelbyville to bring holistic transformation to children, youth, and families through spiritual development, Christian community development, and strategic partnerships. Our vision is to see every student grow in Godly character, be rooted in their identity in Christ, and flourish in leadership to impact their communities and the world.
Programs can bring some change and we have seen that happen for 26+ years. However, it is the ministry of presence, being there with and for people, and the power of the Holy Spirit that brings transformation. We strive to love God with all we have and love people until we drop.
Our Story
Just around the corner from Shelbyville’s downtown activities, there is another kind of busy that invites children from all over town to gather at Father’s Love. Inside the doors of 624 Henry Clay St., there is the opportunity for children from kindergarten through high school to come and learn everything from dance to phonics to the Jer 29:11 promise that God has spoken over every life. It is a place where kids can Dream, Rise, and Lead regardless of the challenging circumstances that can creep into life.
Father’s Love was founded in 1997 as an outreach ministry of Living Waters Church. After initiating a ten-week Vacation Bible School for children in the urban areas of town, it was evident that the kids and volunteers had no intentions of stopping. The energized sessions that found a landing place in the first Operation Care building continued to grow over the years until now when we find ourselves loving the children of the children who first graced our doors.
Our Team
Executive Director
Gerald Terrell
Director of Ministries
Michelle Terrell
Administrative Assistant
Carol League
Elementary Program Director
Melissa Downey
Middle/High School Program Director
Morgan Burk
Family Support Coordinator
LaUna Burley
Our Board
Torrey Smith
Diana Cahill
John Conti
Fred Bates
Loretta Devine
Gary O'Nan
Brian Goul
Cory Miller
Austin Perry
Our Timeline
1997 – First 6-week VBS in Martinsville neighborhood
1999 – Moved indoors in the basement of 802 Washington St
2002 – Moved into 624 Henry Clay St
2019 – Father’s Love Incorporated
2020 – Obtained 501c3 status as a parachurch ministry of Living Waters Church
2020 – Founder and Executive Director, Marti Brown retires
2022 – Celebrated 25 years at our First Annual Fundraising Banquet
2022 – Purchased 624 Henry Clay St and surrounding properties
2023 – Officially reclassified as an independent 501c3 organization