You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live.
from "My Heart Stands in Awe of Your Word; Jane Hansen Reads her Favorite Scriptures" (paraphrased from NKJV)Buy the CD
Outreaches of Columbia, SC Community Lighthouse
Kidz Aglow
Recently the Columbia, SC Community Lighthouse launched Kidz Aglow, an outreach to children and their parents. There were 18 children and 20 adults in attendance, with 8 adults attending an Aglow function for the first time.
A well loved children’s pastor, Pastor Frank Trezoglou, from Christian Life Church in Columbia was invited to minster to the children and their parents. First, Pastor Frank and Ms Jacque, Jacque Cates, Vice-president of Public Relations on the Columbia Lighthouse Team, presented a skit with a playful puppet named Ooopsy Daisy. Following the fun filled skit, Pastor Frank used magic acts designed to present the salvation message.
Even though there were no salvations that day, many great contacts were made and the children had a wonderful time. The Lighthouse team presented each child with a special bag filled with treats.
Hannah House
Another way the Columbia Lighthouse reaches out in their community is by going to Hannah House, a shelter for homeless women. They meet the 4th Thursday of each month and had 20 women from the shelter in attendance at their last meeting. So far, they have had one salvation, many encouraged, and many have received inner healing.
Many of the women at Hannah House are believer’s who have had bad breaks in life. They are very repentant and have a strong desire to pull their lives back together. Some of the women are students who find themselves in a hard place and need temporary shelter.
Because it is mandatory that they attend the meeting, they are a little on the defense at first, but as the Aglow women share testimonies and short devotions, they can see the countenance of each woman change.
Jacque said, “We have come to love these ladies very much. We have laughed with them and cried with them. Our time with them has ministered to us as well.”
The scope of the ministry at Hannah House is being enlarged to help the women prepare for their GED, learn interview skills, help them prepare resumes, and learn computer skills. A local church has joined in our efforts and now come every Monday night to teach a Bible study that will help prepare the women for a life of Christ- centered independence.
California Prison Ministry
Recently, the Spanish women in Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California were treated to a special retreat. Team members of the California State Prison Team and leaders from several Neighborhood Lighthouses in San Jose held a two day event where the power of God was overwhelming. Patty Rose, President of the California State Prison Team said, “It was precious and beautiful to watch as the presence of God touched each woman.”
Love and unity were flowing powerfully throughout the entire event. At one point during worship Rachel Gutierrez, President of the San Jose Neighborhood Lighthouse, led the women around the chapel in a time of dancing and celebration. It was easy to see the transformation taking place as the countenance on each face seemed to change as one song followed another.
There were many emotional healings. One lady remarked, “I felt God’s presence and was able to receive His love as I heard the music and speakers in my language.” Another said, “I have never felt as at home as I did at this retreat.”
Rachel, Maria Vizcarra, Vice-president of Ministry Development of the Spanish Lighthouse in San Jose, and Marta Gomez, President of a Neighborhood Lighthouse in San Jose, made a powerful team, coming alive with the women. They did all the teaching and ministry time. They presented a skit that told of the power of words, how words can be a blessing or a curse. These women also hold a Spanish service in the prison chapel each Tuesday night
Each inmate was presented with a beautiful folder with various handouts. Those who received salvation (there were 87!) were presented with certificates and at the completion of the event, each woman received a beautiful certification noting their attendance at the event.
Patty said, “There was such sweetness among the women. When they were asked how many knew their grandmothers were praying for them, they began to cry. Pray for the women to be able to process all they heard and to walk each day in the truth they received.”
South Dakota - At a recent, secular women’s conference held in Pierre, SD, the Aglow Prison Team set up a table to offer prayer for the attendees. Teams of Aglow women offered prayer privately and also shared about Aglow. President DeAnn Hilmoe said, “It was as if there was a magnet drawing the women to us. They would walk past our table several times and then come back to ask for prayer. We ministered to one of the speakers and encouraged her. We had over 600 intercessors covering us as we attended this conference. The ministry of Aglow was introduced and through prayer, the love of God touched over 100 women.”
Alabama - Cynthia Patton, Love Your Neighborhood Coordinator in Alabama, completed several exciting events last summer. From collecting new socks for the SafeHouse Outreach in Atlanta, GA, to gathering school supplies and funds for children in need, to providing Biblical teaching to help friends and neighbors lose weight (see story – May 2009), the Love Your Neighbor program has been on the move.
Most recently, Cynthia spearheaded a new sock drive for the homeless in Atlanta. Working together with Walker Aglow, President, Marth Huett, (100 pair of socks), Jasper Aglow, President, Karen Cross, (24 pair of socks), Macedonia Helping Hands Ministry, (100 pair of socks), Jasper Harvest, (100 pair of socks), The Lily Pond Tea Room, (80 pair of socks), and others, over 500 pair of socks were delivered in August. A special ‘Sandwich and Sock Day’ has been planned by the SafeHouse Outreach where every pair of socks collected will be distributed.
Earlier in the summer, when Cynthia became aware of the need for school supplies for a family in her neighborhood with 4 school age children, she sent out a request to those in the Love Your Neighbor Lighthouse in Jasper. As the money came in, Cynthia purchased most of the needed supplies. Evangelists Richard & Misty Nichols, with Jasper Harvest, donated the remainder of the funds and Cynthia purchased the remainder of the needed supplies.