Lighthouse
Christian Ministries History, So Far
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the Lord
your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Lighthouse
Christian Ministries was originally founded as Bay Area Christian Services
(BACS) in December 1997 after years of praying and preparation, led primarily
by Bayview residents Chuck Gussler and Karl Newmann, pastor of Bayshore Friends
Church. A local businessman, who
preferred to remain anonymous, committed to match all donations up to $10,000
to begin the Resale Shop and Gift Emporium that would provide revenue to
continue the mission of the ministry. The original location for the ministry
was at 1201 State Highway 146 in Kemah.
The
name of the resale store changed to the Bay Area Trading Post and funded
several community services at BACS. The
services included limited financial assistance for utilities and gasoline, food
from local food pantries, a clothing allowance for families, job interview
techniques, access to job boards, contact information to local employers and
resume reviews. The ministry made
resource packets available for additional services available through area
churches and organizations. The packets
included information on local programs and events for seniors, families and
youth, referrals to parenting workshops, financial management and pastoral
counseling to promote strong families and self-reliance.
The
Bay Area Trading Post was such a success in Kemah a second resale shop was
established in League City in July 2000 under the name Lighthouse Resale and
Gift Shoppe. Both resale locations
closed when the BACS ministry expanded and moved into a larger building at 800
Grand Avenue in 2004. With the expansion, the ministry added an educational
scholarship program and launched a medical services component while extending
its reach through new partnerships with area churches and businesses. In 2007 Hurricane Ike caused extensive damage
to many residents in the community. The
BACS facility also sustained heavy damaged, but the ministry continued to
provide hurricane recovery services to those affected.
In
2009, the newly rebuilt facility opened at the same location and the name of
the organization was officially changed to Lighthouse Christian
Ministries. The facility expansion
included a new medical clinic and room for new programs. Under the direction of
newly appointed Executive Director, Erika Steele, LCM began expanding the
services and the reach of the ministry.
Lighthouse continued to grow and expand by adding a Houston Food Bank
Summer Nutrition program and a GED tutoring program. Partnerships with the
local Lions Club provided free eye screenings and eyeglasses, and a Pregnancy
Center providing services to pregnant women and mothers with children under the
age of three. Dental health services
were added in 2013 to provide free or low-cost dental care through volunteer
dentists. The Kidz Dayz summer youth program
was launched the next year and continues to provide 3,000 meals each summer. Mobile
food distributions in San Leon and Bacliff became possible through a
partnership with the Galveston Food Bank providing food to hundreds in the
community.
Most
recently, a tutoring program for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
(ASVAB) test was created for neighbors who plan to join the military. A community garden has been established at
K.E. Little Elementary School to provide fresh vegetables for our community
neighbors. Ministry volunteers have
established a Senior Gathering twice monthly at the Grand Avenue site for our
eldest neighbors to fellowship, have lunch, and hear speakers present topics of
interest.
From
its humble beginnings in 1997, Lighthouse Christian Ministries has remained
true to its founding principles of service to the community and spreading
Christ’s love to its neighbors and beyond.
In 2017, LCM provided $670,000 in food distributions and financial
assistance, given $33,000 in scholarships, made available $300,000 in health
care services, served 275 dental patients with $736,000 in dental care, and
provided $50,000 in community services through their many outreach programs.
The
mission of the ministry continues to be “Building relationships through
service, to shine Christ’s love and hope in our community.” As when the ministry was begun, a portion of
the ministry funding is still provided by the Lighthouse Resale Shop which
continues to offer quality donated household goods, furniture, antiques,
collectibles and gently worn clothes at a fraction of the original cost. Generous donors and loyal benefactors provide
support for the ministry as well.
The
LCM board of directors recently approved the purchase of a plot of land
adjacent to the current location and discussions have begun to expand the LCM
facility once again. The Lighthouse
Christian Ministries began with a courageous plan to spread the love of Christ
to all our neighbors through our good works.
He has been with us and our tasks have been greatly rewarded through the
years; and now He calls us to even greater works. Through Him, the beacon of God’s love will
perpetually shine in all our neighborhoods.
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