I remind us of the words spoken on CNN.com after an EF4 Tornado struck the church property of Lighthouse.
The Lighthouse Church building at 333 Old Humboldt Road was destroyed by an EF-4 tornado on February 5, 2008.
God turned a tradegy into a testimony. Bro. and Sis. Lance and their children and 3 other families were inside the building when the tornado hit. Everyone survived without even a scratch! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! We can replace buildings but we cannot replace people!
The “CHURCH” has not been destroyed, just the building! We will be back bigger and better and taking it to another level! God has great things in store for us! “The latter shall be greater than the past!”
Pray that God will bless us during this time or transition. We appreciate your prayers and concern.
Later on in 2008, we were blessed to break ground. Our local newspaper covered our ground breaking ceremony. I share with you this story.
Members of Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church have been displaced since the Feb. 5 tornado, but on Friday afternoon, they dug their way forward during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of their future sanctuary.
Pastor Donald Lance told the membership that moving forward would be the church’s theme in the coming year.
“Every journey, no matter how big or how small, starts with a single step,” Lance said. “We will move forward and not only recover what was lost, but gain more than we ever had.”
The tornado destroyed Lighthouse’s sanctuary at 333 Old Humboldt Road.
The church has since been able to sell its six acres of property and purchase 31 acres on Old Humboldt Road and Passmore Lane, the site of a new church.
Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris wished the church well during Friday’s ceremony.
Rhino Construction Group will be in charge of the construction of the 14,000-square-foot sanctuary, which will eventually expand to include a family life center, a soccer and baseball field.
According to the artist’s rendering, the front of the building will have large glass windows, which contractors said could withstand strong winds.
The family life and youth center will be individual buildings with basements. Lance said the church construction is projected to cost $2.7 million to $3.2 million. ”We will start our capital campaign in January or February,” Lance said. The church hopes to be in its new sanctuary 12 months after construction starts.
Despite holding Wednesday and Sunday services at other church locations, Lance said his membership has remained steady at 250 people. ”It’s been God who has allowed us to stay strong,” said Bridget Lance, wife of Donald Lance.
Following the storm, Lighthouse began holding services at Northside Assembly of God. Later, Lighthouse moved its services to Forest Heights United Methodist Church.
On Dec. 21, the church will return to Northside Assembly, Lance said.
“Everyone in the city has been good about taking us in,” said Gary McAlpin, who has been a member for six years. “We took care of our last church, and God blessed us with another one. We can’t wait for our new building.”
Members of the church shouted in excitement as Lance, Gist, Harris and representatives from Rhino lifted their shovels from the dirt.
“Success!” Lance shouted while the congregation clapped.
“For what does not move is dead, and we refuse to die; we will continue to move forward,” Lance said.
I am more than priviledged to tell you that God has given us great favor and miraculous healing. For the building may have been destroyed but the body has been delivered. There is no force able enough to stop what God has begun in the city of Jackson. We have moved forward, enlarged our vision and now we aim to GROW as God gives the increase.
With great joy, I am proud to announce the dedication of our brand new building to be held on Friday, May 27th at 7:30 PM.
If you are able and are in the area, please stop by and help us celebrate the great things that God has done!!! Look, what the LORD has done!!!
