Contact

The Benevolence ministries of The Lighthouse Church have the mandate to invest in the lives of people and the ministry of people.  Missions, the largest component of this ministry, uses this mandate to be the hands and feet of this church around the world.  So in a recent discussion with the Missions committee members, I asked them to give us a small window into their work.

What is the work that you do in the Missions Committee?

We identify opportunities to assist people who share the gospel and then provide financial assistance. We also strive to inform the church about prayer requests and needs.

What is the ministry's guiding principles?

We model our ministry after Jesus' charge to the disciples in Acts 1:8:
"you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
We seek to provide assistance for efforts that are done locally, regionally or internationally.  With this guideline we then seek out ministries that touch each of these areas.

What guidelines do you use in selecting certain individuals to support with missions money?

First, we look for people who have a strong desire for service and have already demonstrated that they are doing God's work in a significant way even before financial assitance is available.
Second, we look for people who have a heart for the lost. These are people who put God's kingdom first. Their passion is the Lord's work, not their own comfort or concerns about the sacrifices they need to endure for the sake of that work.
Third, we look for people who are doing the work for the Lord and not for men. They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. The power of the Holy Spirit flows naturally from their lives and hearts. They have compassion and love for hurting people and they just let the joy of the Lord be their strength.

You often have a page in Contact. What do you seek to do through this communication?

First, we seek to raise awareness of the ministries out there and how we are helping them.  Second, we want the Church to know that we are using their money wisely and with accountability. Third, we seek to give people an opportunity to pray for some of the many great needs and needy missions out there.

What else can the TLC members do to be involved in Missions?

Pray for the missionaries!  Also, different groups can send letters of encouragement*  If individuals feel led by the Holy Spirit to go on a short term mission trip, they should pray and contact us or the pastors about their desire.

Is there any other area that you would like to challenge the Body?

Yes, the needs of the "Persecuted Church''.  Our brothers and sisters in many parts of the world face tremendous opposition, persecution and oppression.  Your prayers for these people are a tremendous encouragement to them and hedge of protection amidst their great trials. Our work in Missions puts us in contact with many such situations and their plight puts a tremendous burden on our hearts.