The Basics of Lighthouse

"As a prisoner for Christ, brothers and sisters, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."     ~ Ephesians 4:1


What Was The Need?
  Lighthouse began as a need in the area of Hartsville, SC, USA.  Being in the Bible Belt of the South, it is hard to find lines that all denominations can cross to be the Body of Christ as we should be.  Around Hartsville, you can find exclusive gatherings for each denomination, and while there is respect amongst each other, we keep our worhip mingling segregated based on doctrine.
  Because of these unfortunate man-made guidelines most follow, youth have a hard time knowing and understanding where they can fit into.  As youth become adults, it becomes more difficult to see which way is considered as 'right' amongst every denomination, so they look to one-way faith systems that are not separated by doctrine.  Unfortunately, this is the case in Hartsville just as much as it is the case everywhere else in the United States.

How We Began
  Jessica Greve, ending her freshman year at Columbia International University, was having a hard time coping with going to church when she went back home to Hartsville.  Yes, she was legally considered an adult, but she wasn't a 20-something who felt that she could fit in with the older adults that had families or were much older than her anyway.  However, she did not feel that she fit in with the high school Sunday school class either since she had grown past that stage in her life too.
  In Columbia, Jessica had found a church to plug into based on the fact that there was an open college-aged Sunday school group that met a few times throughout the week to hang out and grow in faith that was suited for young adults.  Having the feel of what college ministry really is and understanding why so many her age dropped out of church once they went to college, Jessica realized that there is nowhere for college-aged students in Hartsville.  It all made sense why she wouldn't see older youth at church anymore once they graduated.
  Jessica joined up with youth pastor, Shelly Holder, and old friend, Lacey Mogy, to start brainstorming ideas for a young adult Bible study throughout the summer.  After many meetings and decisions made, the three ladies (all young at heart) prayed over the development of what is now known as Lighthouse.
  In the beginning of June in 2011, Jessica led the first Bible study at the Mogy's house; the lesson was explaining the reason for having a college Bible study in Hartsville: Ephesians 4:1.  Considering the fact that so many college students and young adults struggle to know their calling and find their place in the world, this verse would be the leading motivation towards sharing a life for Christ through college. 

Who All Is Welcome?
  Starting off with only a handful of people, Lighthouse encompasses all of Hartsville and the surrounding area and is inter-denominational.  Lighthouse members are from all backgrounds, from atheist/born-again to Greek Orthodox and Catholic, to Baptist, Methodist, and Church of God.
  Although individual doctrines of faith can be important, we need to remember that they are man-made and are only various interpretations of God's Word.  One person, group, or denomination is over the other, and there is no 'wrong' way to worship if it is the Holy Spirit leading you.  We practice seeing past these typical views so that we can commune in the presence of God as the Body of Christ.
  We are not called to name on the door of the church we grew up in, nor are we called to bicker about it.  We are called to have a relationship with God, walking with Him daily so that we can go out into the world and share the love and salvation Jesus has to offer everyone through His sacrifice.  At Lighthouse, we are all children of God and growing together is the focal point of our study.  Everyone and anyone is welcome who is curious and has an open heart to know the Lord.