MAD Monday: Lighthouse Ministries

Visit TheLightOnline.org

Today, we continue our periodic series sharing information about local non-profits.  We call them “Make A Difference” Mondays.

About Lighthouse Ministries

Lighthouse Ministries, located in Florence, SC, is a non-profit agency that provides financial assistance to families and individuals with limited resources. It helps with mortgages, rent, utilities, medicine prescriptions, travelers aid, food, and assists the participant in finding additional resources to move beyond their crisis.

See the links below for more information on our various services:

• Read about a recent RAMP Project
• Read about the Working Mother’s Education and Support Program
• Read the 2010 Community Services Report
• Read Personal Testimonials

History of Lighthouse Ministries

“…open wide your heart to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in the land.”
– Deuteronomy 15:11

“In the early 1990′s, several pastors in Florence were struggling with the hours they spent assisting families needing help with basic needs (food, shelter, medical care and transportation) in addition to their other responsibilities. They were also frustrated that some individuals were receiving help from multiple churches while others received no help at all. In some cases abuse was occurring; in most others the needs were too great for even several churches to address. Great concern existed that “welfare reform” would add to the growing demand for aid.”

“Discussions in the hospital parking lots led to meetings that led to the creation of a Board in 1995 made up of those ministers and concerned lay members from their churches. A director was hired who traveled to three well established cooperative ministries that provided substantial development guidelines in recognition of the fact that “there will always be more needs than money”. In addition to combining dollars and volunteers, each pastor could also contribute their “contacts” in the community to assist with the bureaucracy of multiple state and local community agencies (some narrowly focused/others overlapping in services). Their vision was to better utilize all resources (time, talents, monies, volunteers, etc.) in an effort to “give a hand up” to their neighbors in the most efficient yet respectful manner possible.”

“This respect for those already struggling included one accessible location, regular hours, compassionate trained volunteers and an ongoing commitment from the churches to serve. A downtown church provided the location, most of the original 35 churches provided money and nearly 75 volunteers received intensive training prior to the opening in August 1996. The importance of empathy versus sympathy carried them through the overwhelming requests. Volunteers made financial pledges without knowledge of the bank balance, yet God always provided. More importantly, everyone involved experienced the miracles that mustard-seed faith can produce.”

“The name Lighthouse came about when Rev. Chad Davis visited a lighthouse in San Francisco. The guide explained the walk would be “down the stairs” because the only way the light was helpful was to be on the “level where the ships needed guidance” not high above. Lighthouse Ministries still strives “to be a source of light in times of darkness” to those in need.”

How You Can Help

Lighthouse Ministries is in need of more volunteers to assist in the following areas:

• answering the phone
• checking in participants
• data entry (training required)
• help stuff & ready mail-outs
• interview participants (only position that requires 3 hrs/1 day per week)
• pick up/deliver donated items
• verify participant information
• organize food pantry and supplies
• assist board committees
• assist with fundraising events
• building maintenance
• updating and maintaining brochures

You can also help the ministry with your tax-deductible donations.  Donations can be made in honor or in memory of someone, as well as arranged as part of your will.  Click Here to donate online.

For contact and location information, please visit here.

Note:  Information obtained from Lighthouse Ministries’ website, http://www.TheLightOnline.org
Content © Lighthouse Ministries

Tags: Florence, Lighthouse Ministries, MAD Monday, Nonprofit

Category: Featured Articles