Our Journey
In 2010, Lighthouse Community Outreach started as a community outreach led by Josh and Debs Walker and WoodsEdge Community Church.
In 2012, with the support of WoodsEdge, a backyard Bible study was started by a local resident and two volunteers from the church who shared the same heart for children.
From 2012-2017, the ministry grew in numbers of both children and volunteers and expanded its programs to include a reading/tutoring program, periodic ESL classes, a women’s Bible study, summer camp, and an annual community Christmas celebration.
In 2018, the Lord made it clear that we needed more space for our programs. After much prayer, the Lord provided a piece of land the ministry could use for free, and therefore we began initial steps to form a nonprofit and procure a building.
In 2019, we prayerfully completed all the necessary paperwork and permitting and began a nonprofit in the Five Oaks Community, Lighthouse Community Outreach.
In 2020, our goal is to raise enough funds purchase a mobile building where we can host all of our programs and give children a safe environment to meet, learn, and grow in their love for Jesus.
For more about our journey, click here.
Carmen's Story
Our Journey Continued
Lighthouse Community Outreach started as a community outreach led by Josh and Deb’s Walker and WoodsEdge Community Church in 2010. The Walkers and other families built relationships with the community through soccer, a skateboard ministry, classes, and holiday parties.
A local lady from the community named Carmen, joined the church and the Walker’s ministry in serving her own neighborhood in a variety of ways. Her strongest desire, though, was to be able reach children in her neighborhood and share the love of Jesus with them. In 2012, she prayed for resources and people to help her.
God brought two ladies from the church to a VBS in the community park. These two ladies had never met each other, but both of them individually felt led to contact the local lady in the community after the event to share their interest in serving the children in the neighborhood. Carmen took this as an answered prayer and met with them. They prayed and asked God what He would have them do in the community. God clearly laid on their hearts to start a neighborhood Bible club. In the fall of 2012, with a felt board and eager hearts, they began the Kids Bible Club in Carmen’s front yard.
Carmen's Story
Neighborhood: Carmen's Story from WoodsEdge on Vimeo
The ministry grew as more children came to the Kids Bible Club, and God provided faithful volunteers to expand the ministry to include a reading/homework-help program, periodic ESL classes, a women’s Bible study, and an annual Christmas celebration where the children perform a Christmas play for their neighbors.
As the kids in the ministry grew older, a teen Bible study was started, where students are mentored and given opportunities to attend Christian camps, serve, and grow in leadership skills.
As the ministry continued to grow, the programs were running out of space. In 2018 the ministry was presented with a piece of land two lots down from where we currently meet. The ministry leaders began praying for a place to do ministry on the property.
In 2019, after much prayer, it was decided that the ministry should apply for its own nonprofit status. It was also renamed "Lighthouse Community Outreach," as Carmen felt God had called her to be a "lighthouse keeper" to the community.
God has used this ministry to bless the people and children of the community in many ways over the past 9 years. We are excited for the journey that lies ahead in expanding our ministry and creating a community center and hope that you will join us in making a difference in the lives of others.