Membership of Lighthouse Fellowship Church that started out worshipping in a preschool is gearing up to celebrate its 20th pastoral and church anniversary with a week of services under the theme "A Faithful God Throughout the Year", on Monday, October 24 to Sunday October 30, at the church. The opening anniversary service will take place on Monday at 7:30 p.m. with the closing service at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Lighthouse Fellowship Centre  (now Lighthouse Fellowship Church) was established in August 1991, with the first service held in Kiddies Wonder Preschool, Kennedy Sub-division.  The pioneering members were Pastor Carlton and Sister Genesta Stuart, their children Carlton Jr., Kendra, Garrison and Qutell, the late evangelist Iva-Mae Miller and her children, Renee and Deidre, Charles Smith, Naomi Paul, the late Brenda Flowers and her children Tamicka, Ormond and Christina, Desiree Frazier and Anastacia Hanna. They worshipped at the preschool for several weeks until that October, with the assistance of the late Bishop William M. Johnson, they moved to a location at Moncur Alley, off Kemp Road.  At the time, they were in discussion with Bishop Johnson about becoming a part of the Church of God.  On December 29, 1991 they were officially inducted as members of the Church of God.  Bishop Donnie Storr who served at that time as the district overseer for the northern New Providence district for the Church of God, was the moderator for the service and  Bishop Johnson performed the act of induction. The church made an adjustment to its name from Lighthouse Fellowship Center to Lighthouse Fellowship Church of God, and the church grew.  In 1993 the church's leaders purchased its first bus after having used Pastor Stuart's van as the initial transportation for the church. During the early morning hours in October 1995, Pastor Stuart was awakened from his sleep by a neighbor near the church, who called to say that the church was on fire.  When he arrived at the scene, he was devastated to see the damage done to the building and equipment.  With the help of the then northern district overseer for the Church of God, and the late Bishop John L. Ferguson, district secretary, they were able to repair and replace certain equipment and resumed worship.   SEARCH FOR PERMANENT SITE The search began for a piece of property to construct their permanent church.  With the assistance of  Bishop Johnson they identified  two acres of property, the present site of the church building. They organized two teams -- Victory and Faith -- and they embarked on a major fundraising drive. Like Joshua and the children of Israel, Pastor Stuart and the brothers walked and prayed around the perimeter of the property claiming it for the church.  An entire year passed before they made further inquires about the property which was still available.  In March 1997 everything was finalized.  They purchased a tent.  Anxious to move onto their new site, they constructed a wooden structure with restroom facilities.  The brothers of Lighthouse along with the assistance from a few brothers from sister churches, hoisted the tent.  They were so excited about setting up the tent, they did not realize it was hoisted the wrong way --upside down, until the rain came.  With the assistance of Pastor Cleare, they corrected the mistake.  The tent had to be set up and taken down for every service.   CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING In 1998, they began construction on their building with enthusiasm.  Bishop Storr along with Sister Deveaux laid out the building.  Brother Ervin Fernander took on the task of contractor, allowing them to only pay his workers.  After the foundation was laid, Brother Hanna continued with the work until they had completed the top flooring of the structure. After almost four years of tent ministry, they moved into a section of their building, which is now their nursery and preschool.   LOST WARRIORS In 2002, the church lost two of its founding members -- Evangelist Iva-Mae Miller and Sister Brenda Flowers.   EXPANSION With a desire to complete phase one of their building program which included their sanctuary, they continued with construction of the building.  The teams, Victory and Faith were revived and the fundraising drive continued.  From May 2006 to September 2006 the teams raised over $27,000 -- funds sacrificially given by members to their respective teams.  In September 2006 they held their first service in their new sanctuary. The membership of Lighthouse is looking forward to completing phases two and three of the building program in the years to come.

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